Student Services

Student Services focuses on ensuring that every student grows socially, emotionally, and intellectually. We recognize that not all students grow and learn in the same way or at the same rate. Students may need support, services, and resources to gain the skills and knowledge to pursue their post-secondary goals and to become productive members of a community. Likewise, families may need access to resources to better support their children in school and at home. Finally, as educational professionals, we know that the best way to learn and grow is with and through others.

The Office of Student Services can provide educators with support and strategies that will help them create a learning environment conducive for students who learn differently or who are challenged by a typical classroom setting. If you cannot find the information you are looking for on this page, please email any member of the Student Services staff listed below or call (814) 776-4255. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of you and your child’s educational journey.

We know how challenging it can be for parents to find resources to help their child with special needs succeed in school. We also know that there are so many rights, rules, regulations, forms, and jargon, it can be intimidating for parents and difficult to understand everything that is going on.

Behavioral Support Services are a component of the psychological services that we may provide to students who receive their education in the general education or special education setting. Students whose behavior adversely affects one or more areas of their lives may be candidates. Behavioral support services include, but are not limited to, the evaluation of a student’s behavior within the educational setting, analysis of data collected from the evaluation, development and implementation of behavioral interventions, and monitoring of those interventions. Parents/guardians, administrators, guidance counselors, and teachers may refer students for behavioral support services.

The  Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) replaces “No Child Left Behind” to ensure the educational equity of all American students. It protects disadvantaged and high-need students by supporting innovation in intervention; and ensuring that teachers and families receive the information they need to measure student progress.

The law also requires Pennsylvania to ensure that the total number of students assessed using the  Pennsylvania Alternative System of Assessment (PASA) does not exceed 1.0 percent of the total number of all students in the state assessed on the statewide assessments. 

In accordance with  34 CFR 200.6 (c) (3) regulations, a State must require a local education agency (LEA) that assesses more than 1.0 percent of its assessed students in any subject with an alternate assessment to submit information to the state stating the reason it exceeds the 1.0 percent threshold. A tiered system of oversight and monitoring for LEAs is used to address 1.0 percent threshold compliance requirements in PA.  A list of LEAs who anticipate exceeding that threshold is publicly available on the  PDE website.

The Ridgway Area School District anticipates exceeding the 1.0 percent threshold for PASA participation and will submit the necessary justification to the Bureau of Special Education. Please address questions about this notice to Supervisor of Special Education  Mrs. Erica Heindl .