Kimberly Myers
Director of Special Education and Special Services

Hatboro-Horsham School District is committed to providing a continuum of services that offers students with disabilities the opportunity to access the general curriculum of the district in the least restrictive environment. Services are designed in alignment with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 04) and state law (Chapter 14) to meet the needs of Hatboro-Horsham students with disabilities. These services are provided at no cost to students who qualify.

The Special Education Department is committed to supporting the delivery of specially designed instructional strategies and related services as prescribed on an identified students Individualized Education Plan (IEP) with an emphasis on increasing opportunities for students with disabilities to learn and grow with non-disabled peers.

Special education is instruction which is individually prescribed to meet the unique learning strengths and needs of an individual school-aged student with disabilities from kindergarten through graduation from high school. The specially designed instruction and related services focus on academics as well as therapeutic needs to help a child overcome his or her difficulties in varied areas of development. These services may be offered in a variety of educational settings, but are required by the IDEA to be delivered in the least restrictive environment.

A student must be evaluated and identified as having a disability and in need of specially designed instructional strategies by a Multi-Disciplinary Evaluation (MDE) to be eligible for special education programs and related services. Disability categories are as follows:

• Autism/Pervasive Developmental Disorder

• Emotional Disturbance

• Hearing Impairment including Deafness

• Intellectual Disability 

• Multiple Disabilities

• Orthopedic Impairments

• Other Health Impairments

• Specific Learning Disability

• Speech and Language Impairments

• Traumatic Brain Injury

• Vision Impairment including Blindness

 Examples of Related Services include:

• Assistive Technology

• Audiology

• Counseling

• Occupational Therapy

• Orientation and Mobility

• Physical Therapy

• Psychological

• Speech and Language

• Transportation

Hatboro-Horsham School District provides for students with disabilities with a variety of types and levels of supports. Types include Speech and Language Support, Vision Support, Hearing Support, Learning Support, Emotional Support, and Life Skills Support. Levels include Itinerant, Supplemental, and Full-time. In some instances, arrangements are made for students to attend classes in neighboring districts, Montgomery County Intermediate Classes, or Approved Private special education schools as per decisions by the IEP team. Services and transportation are paid for by the school district.