Special Education Services
SANKOFA FREEDOM ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL
Annual Public Notice of Special Education Services and Programs, Services for Gifted Students, and Services for Protected Handicapped Students
Notice to Parents - 2023-2024
According to state and federal special education regulations, annual public notice to parents of children who reside within a school district is required regarding child find responsibilities. School districts (SDs), intermediate units (IUs) and charter schools (CSs) are required to conduct child find activities for children who may be eligible for services via Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. For additional information related to Section 504/Chapter 15 services, the parent may refer to Section 504, Chapter 15, and the Basic Education Circular entitled Implementation of Chapter 15. Also, school districts are required to conduct child find activities for children who may be eligible for gifted services via 22 Pa Code Chapter 16. For additional information regarding gifted services, the parent may refer to 22 PA Code Chapter 16. If a student is both gifted and eligible for Special Education, the procedures in IDEA and Chapter 14 shall take precedence.
This notice shall inform parents of the child identification activities and of the procedures followed to ensure confidentiality of information pertaining to students with disabilities or eligible young children. In addition to this public notice and charter school shall publish written information in the handbook and on the website. If parents believe that the child may be eligible for special education, the parent should contact the appropriate staff member identified at the end of this public notice.
Students admitted to Sankofa are also eligible if they have developmental delays and, as a result, need Special Education and related services. A definition of developmental delay can be found on our website WWW.SFACS.US For additional information you may contact Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter School, 2501 Kensington Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19125 or call 215 288-2001.
Evaluation Process
Sankofa Charter School has a procedure in place by which parents can request an evaluation. For information about procedures applicable to your child, contact the school.
Consent
School entities cannot proceed with an evaluation, or with the initial provision of special education and related services, without the written consent of the parents. For additional information related to consent, please refer to the Procedural Safeguards Notice which can be found at www.Pattan.net. Once written parental consent is obtained, the school will proceed with the evaluation process. If the parent disagrees with the evaluation, the parent can request an independent education evaluation at public expense.
Program Development
Once the evaluation process is completed, a team of qualified professionals and parents determine whether the child is eligible. If the child is eligible, the individualized education program team meets, develops the program, and determines the educational placement. Once the IEP team develops the program and determines the educational placement, Sankofa staff will issue a notice of recommended educational placement/prior written notice. Your written consent is required before initial services can be provided. The parent has the right to revoke consent after initial placement.
Confidentiality of Information
Sankofa Freedom Academy maintains records concerning all children enrolled in the school, including students with disabilities. All records are maintained in the strictest confidentiality. Your consent, or consent of an eligible child who has reached the age of majority under State law, must be obtained before personally identifiable information is released, except as permitted under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). The age of majority in Pennsylvania is 21. We maintain, for public inspection, a current listing of the names and positions of those employees within the school who have access to personally identifiable information. For additional information related to student records, the parent can refer to the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
This notice is only a summary of the Special Education services, evaluation and screening activities, and rights and protections pertaining to children with disabilities, children thought to be disabled, and their parents. For more information contact the school listed below or visit our website - www.sfacs.us.
Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter School
2501 Kensington Ave.
Dr. Ayesha Imani, CEO
215-288-2001
SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES IMPORTANT LINKS:
- Pennsylvania Department of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
- Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN)
www.pattan.net - Parents Involved Network of Pennsylvania
www.pinofpa.org
- Parent Education Network
www.parentednet.org