Educational Campus at Penn Pitt

Mission

The IU1 Educational Campus at Penn Pitt provides a safe, orderly environment where all students can acquire and apply the knowledge and skills to become productive, responsible citizens, able to compete within a high-tech, information-based society.

Program Description

Our school provides a challenging education and related services to students in grades K–12 who are in need of highly structured, supportive and comprehensive alternative or special education services that are not available in the public school setting. Students attend the school on a full-time basis: 8:00–2:15; five days a week; 180 days per year.

As an IU1 operated program, students and staff are afforded the benefits of all the services and programs, offered by IU1, such as:

Highly Qualified special education teachers assure all special needs students are provided a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) as outlined in their Individualized Education Programs (IEP).

Secondary students receive instruction in the core areas of English, Math, Science, and Social Studies, as well as physical education, health, and various elective courses. Web-based 'cyber-services' will be used during the 2008–2009 school year. The curriculum is aligned with the Pennsylvania Academic Standards and teachers provide individual and group work using differentiated instruction.

A full-time behavior specialist/psychologist provides individual and group instruction and support in the areas of behavior and social skills. Other support personnel providing services include school social workers, psychiatrist, and school police officer. There are four paraprofessionals who will assist in each classroom as needed.

The staff at Penn Pitt is dedicated to promoting student success and ensuring a safe environment.

Each student is responsible to follow the Code of Student Conduct listed below:

  1. We respect the rights, person, and property of others.
  2. We comply with persons in authority.
  3. We are responsible for a safe and orderly environment.
  4. We are on time, in assigned seats and ready to work.
  5. We follow all school-wide policies and procedures.

* Please refer to Intermediate Unit 1 Board Policies 218 — Student Discipline and 113.1 — Discipline of Students with Disabilities.

Therapeutic Emotional Support

The Therapeutic Emotional Support (TES) programs provide academic and emotional support for students, grades K–12, who are unable to participate in regular educational programs because of severe behavioral, social, and personal skills deficits. The students participate in the general education curriculum that is aligned with the Pennsylvania Academic Standards. The TES programs offer highly structured classroom environments with emphasis on positive behavior interventions. An individual Positive Behavior Support Plan is created for each student.

In addition, individual and group counseling, medication management, psychiatric consultation, conflict resolution, and character education are provided according to a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP). The goal of the program is to help each student develop the skills and behavior necessary to return to his/her home school district.

Partial Hospitalization

Centerville Clinics operates the Partial Hospitalization Program serving students ages 6 to 18 years old. This is a mental health placement based on medical necessity. This program focuses on providing intensive multidisciplinary mental health care on an outpatient basis. The program is designed to provide a therapeutic community for children and adolescents who cannot function in everyday social, school, work, or community situations. This program can also provide services for students needing a step down program from inpatient treatment. Intermediate Unit 1 provides the educational component of the Partial Hospitalization Program. The students participate in the general education curriculum that is aligned with the Pennsylvania Academic Standards.

Alternative Education Program

This program provides educational services for students in grades 1–12, identified by the administrative, guidance, and teaching staff of the sending school districts and/or the IEP team, who follow all of the requirements outlined in Chapter 14 and IDEA including doing a Manifestation Determination, as needing an alternative placement. A student qualifies for placement in the alternative program if he/she meets one or more of the following criteria:

  1. Disregard for school authority, including persistent violation of school policy and rules
  2. Display of or use of controlled substances on school property or during school-affiliated activities
  3. Violent or threatening behavior on school property or during school-related activities
  4. Possession of a weapon on school property, as defined under 18 Pa. C.S. Section 912 (relating to possession of weapon on school property)
  5. Commission of a criminal act on school property
  6. Misconduct that would merit suspension or expulsion under school policy
  7. Habitual truancy

Note: A student returning from placement or who is on probation resulting from being adjudicated delinquent in a proceeding under 42 Pa. C.S. Chapter 63 (relating to juvenile matters) or who has been judged to have committed a crime under an adult criminal proceeding may also be served through an Alternative Education for Disruptive Youth (AEDY) program.

The program also serves students needing a 45-day interim alternative placement. The alternative school has a proactive educational program that increases the number of graduates with the skills necessary to enter the workforce and/or to attend institutions of higher learning.

Program Evaluation

The effectiveness of the education programs at Penn Pitt is determined using the following data:

  1. Number of students that demonstrate an improved attitude toward school as measured by a student survey, improved attendance and a reduction in the number of discipline referrals
  2. Number of students showing growth in the core academic subjects in relationship to Chapter 4 Academic Standards and academic goals
  3. Number of students demonStrating skills and behaviors necessary to function in the school environment, as measured by teacher/staff observations and documenting progress on behavior goals
  4. Number of students exhibiting age appropriate life skills and career awareness through completion of career and counseling modules
  5. Number of students returning to the regular home school by meeting the exit criteria of the alternative placement
  6. Amount of group and individual counseling sessions provided that deal with topics such as anger management, drug and alcohol issues, self-esteem, etc.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

In order to maintain a safe and secure environment, conducive to positive growth of all students, each student will:

  1. Follow school policies and interact safely within the environment.
  2. Attend school daily, report to classes on time, ready for instruction.
  3. Respect staff, students, and property.
  4. Complete coursework and participate in classroom discussions and activities.
  5. Use all materials appropriately and exercise proper care when using school equipment.
  6. Make the necessary arrangements for 'make-up' work when absent from school.
  7. Know and obey IU1, local, state, and federal laws, policies and regulations.

Refer to IU1 Board Policy 235 — Student Rights and Responsibilities.

Documents/Downloads

Contact Us

Angela Talerico, Principal
724-943-3180

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