PDE announces students with disabilities may continue to receive education until the day before their 22nd birthday

Per the Pennsylvania Department of Education guidance issued on 8/30/23, students with disabilities may continue to receive a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) until the day before their 22nd birthday. This allows students who did not return for the 23/24 school year but are still under the age of 22 to reenroll and remain until they are. If you have questions or are interested in reenrolling your student who exited due to reaching age 21, please call the Solanco Special Education Office at 717-786-5624.

PDE has revised its guidance pertaining to INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABLITIES EDUCATION ACT PART B POLICIES AND PROCEDURES UNDER 34 CFR §§ 300.101—300.176 as follows: www.education.pa.gov/Documents/IDEAB.pdf

PENN*LINK for the Pennsylvania Department of Education

“The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ensures that all children with disabilities ages 3 years through 21 years residing in Pennsylvania have the right to a FAPE, including children with disabilities who have been suspended or expelled from school. The commonwealth shall make FAPE available to a child with a disability eligible under IDEA until the student turns 22. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a child eligible under IDEA who attains the age of twenty-one (21) years may remain enrolled in their resident district free of charge until their 22nd birthday.”https://www.education.pa.gov/Documents/K-12/Special%20Education/IDEIA-IDEA/Special%20Education%20Change%20of%20Age%20of%20Eligibility%20Penn%20Link_August_30_2023.pdf