Administration & Staff

At Palmyra Area School District, it is our goal to provide students with the support they need to be successful in the school environment.

If you have questions or concerns regarding programming, please contact the Special Education Department at (717) 838-8835.

The following are the category disabilities in the state of Pennsylvania:

• Autism
• Deaf-blindness
• Deafness
• Visual impairment, including blindness
• Intellectual disability
• Multiple disabilities
• Orthopedic impairment
• Emotional disturbance
• Other health impairment
• Traumatic brain injury
• Hearing impairment
• Specific learning disability
• Speech and language impairment

Palmyra Area School District special education department provides eligible students with support and services as outlined in the Individual Education Plan (IEP). Eligibility is two-pronged, meaning, a student must have a disability and be in need of specially designed instruction to receive services through the evaluation process. The district offers a full continuum of services, supports and programs to students with disabilities through district-operated programs, IU-13 programs, and other district and private operated programs.

Palmyra Area School District offers Itinerant, Supplemental, and Full-time Learning Support programs at all schools in the district. There are two full-time Autistic support classes at the elementary level located at Lingle Elementary School. The students are instructed using intensive, evidence-based, teaching interventions that are derived from Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). The District offers a high-functioning Autistic Support classroom for students who struggle with behavioral needs, but are able to communicate and work through regular curriculum programming at Pine Street Elementary School. PASD operates an Emotional Support classroom at Northside Elementary School. Emotional Support services (Itinerant, Supplemental, and Fulltime) are also available at the Middle School and High School levels. For students in need of more functional academics, the District offers Life Skills Support classes at Pine Street Elementary, the Middle School, and High School. Within this program, students receive the level of program that most appropriately meets their needs (Itinerant, Supplemental, or Fulltime).

Within the Individual Education Plan (IEP), the team (including teachers, administration, parents, school counselor, etc.) outlines strengths and needs of the student. Goals are developed from identified needs. Specially Designed Instruction outlines the support the student needs to be successful in the general education curriculum and/or direct, explicit instruction in the special education classroom.