RECENT UPDATE: Free and Appropriate Public Education under IDEA

Attention GMSD Families,

We wanted to bring to your attention an important update regarding recent changes from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) that may benefit your child.

According to the new guidelines from PDE, students who are eligible under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) may now access a Free and Appropriate Public Education until their 22nd birthday. This extended educational opportunity is designed to support your child's continued growth and development.

PDE has already sent out letters to all eligible families (students who exited the program at 21 this past school year and have not yet turned 22). If you have received the PDE letter and are interested in reenrolling your child to take advantage of this opportunity, we encourage you to reach out to our Director of Student Services, Mr. Brian Bell, at brian.bell@gmsd.org. Mr. Bell will be more than happy to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have and guide you through the re-enrollment process.

If you have not yet received a letter from PDE but believe your child may be eligible, we recommend contacting Mr. Bell as well. He can provide you with guidance on eligibility criteria and the necessary steps to initiate the process.

Thank you for your continued partnership in ensuring the best possible educational experience for your child.

READ MORE FROM THE PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION