Students With Disabilities

As required by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA), the Pickerington Local School District is committed to the location, identification, and provision of a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) for all children between the ages of 3 and 21 having a disability and residing within our school district.

If you know of a child with a disability, or have a child suspected of having a disability, who is not currently receiving appropriate educational or related services, please contact the Pickerington Schools Office of Special Education at 614.833.2110

A Guide to Parent Rights in Special Education

Please contact Lori Lark at 614-920-6161 if you need an adapted version of the Guide to Parent Rights in Special Education (formerly Whose Idea).

Children, ages 3-21 years, who qualify for special education services under IDEIA are identified as having disabilities in one of the following areas: autism, cognitive disabilities, multiple disabilities, specific learning disabilities, other health impairment, orthopedic handicapped, severe emotional disturbance, hearing impairment, visual impairment, traumatic brain injury, speech/language disability, hearing impaired, deaf-blind, visually impaired.

Special education services for each student with disabilities are written into each student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP).  Services may be provided in a variety of settings, with the goal being to educate each student in the least restrictive environment (LRE); which means providing services in the regular classroom environment to the maximum extent possible.

In addition, students with disabilities may receive related services that could include: adapted physical education, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech and language, audiological, interpreter, orientation and mobility, school psychological, transportation, work-study, nursing services, and aide services.

Each building operates under an intervention model to help determine if a student should be evaluated.  All buildings are using response to intervention (RTI) to help provide individual learning experiences in the form of classroom and small group interventions. These interventions are designed by the building RTI team to positively impact the students’ academic achievements.

Screeners are in place to look at all children to determine if there is a need for tiered intervention. Parents who have concerns about their child’s educational progress should contact their child’s school.

The Pickerington Preschool is a program that enhances and encourages learning for children with disabilities and typically developing children. We welcome children ages 3-5 years of age, while offering a range of services free to children with a qualifying disability; typical developing peers are enrolled on a tuition basis. All children are provided with a typical preschool experience and the opportunity to interact with children of all abilities.

The program is operated according to the Ohio Department of Education standards, federal mandates for the Education of Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act, and state licensure rules and regulations. Preschool teachers must hold a license for the Early Education of the Handicapped issued by the Ohio Department of Education.

The philosophy of the program emphasizes developmentally-appropriate activities.  The preschool has adopted the Creative Curriculum. Within this context, children with  disabilities receive play-based, individualized, developmentally-appropriate  interventions, including child- and teacher-directed activities. Typically-developing  children are considered to be an integral component of the program as role models for instructional and social interactions.

Preschool Website

The Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports and Limited Use of Restraint and Seclusion Policy and Rule (5630.01 and OAC 3301-35-15) have been updated during the first semester of the 2021/2022 school year.  The state of Ohio (via OAC 3301-35-15) and the Pickerington Local School Board (via Policy 5630.01) include the following changes: PBIS Framework being defined, modified definitions, new reporting requirements, new team meeting requirements after three incidents and training requirements. The amendments incorporate the components of PLSD’s Policy 5630.02 making one policy for PBIS, restraint and seclusion as recommended by the Ohio Department of Education’s Model Policy.

Annual PBIS/Restraint and Seclusion Notice

Annual PBIS/ Restraint and Seclusion Notice.rtf

Restraint and Seclusion Parent FAQ’s

Restraint and Seclusion Complaint Form

Board Policy 5630.01

504-E Parent Info and Rights (PDF) | 504-E Parent Info and Rights (RTF)

504-F Grievance Procedures (PDF) | 504-F Grievance Procedures (RTF)

Ohio Department of Education

ODE Webpage for Families of Students with Disabilities -helps families understand the special education process.

Fairfield County Developmental Disabilities-

• Main Number 740-652-7220
• Forest Rose School 740-652-7225
• Lancaster Public Transit 740-681-5086

Southeast Ohio Center for Independent Living is a non-profit, non-residential organization which assists people with significant disabilities who want to live more independently.  Their number for Fairfield County Residents is  740-689-1794.

State Support Team Region 11 works closely with the Ohio Department of Education’s Offices for Innovation and Improvement, Exceptional Children and Early Learning and School Readiness. SST 11 provides professional development, coaching, and technical assistance to school districts, educational service centers, community schools, early childhood programs and families in Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Licking, Madison, Pickaway, Union and Chillicothe City Schools located in Ross County. They can be reached at 614-753-4694.

Pickerington Special Olympics may be reached at psojaguars@plsd.us.

Pickerington Public Library 614-837-4104