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Section One

Definitions of Terms

Alternative Education for Disruptive Youth (AEDY) Program
A program approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) that is designed to provide a temporary placement for disruptive students in grades 6 through 12. Students placed in an AEDY Program continue to make academic progress towards graduation and work to remedy disruptive behavior through counseling and other behavioral interventions.  AEDY placements are used only as a last resort, after all other behavioral interventions have failed to remedy the student's disruptive behavior(s).

AEDY LEA In-house Program
A PDE-approved AEDY Program operated by an LEA or LEAs (including vocational/technical schools, charter schools or intermediate units) designed to provide a sound educational course of study and counseling for disruptive students who are removed from the regular education setting.

AEDY Private Provider Program
A PDE-approved AEDY Program operated by an individual, a for-profit entity, or a not-for-profit entity designed to provide a sound educational course of study and counseling for disruptive students who are removed from the regular education setting. An AEDY Private Provider Program must comply with the requirements of the Public School Code (including 24 P.S. §§ 19-1901-C et seq. and 24 P.S. §§ 19-1901-E et seq. where applicable). PDE approval does not constitute a license or an accreditation. Private Providers do not have authority to operate a school but are permitted to contract with LEAs to provide services for students placed by LEAs in AEDY Private Provider Programs.

Controlled substance
A drug or other substances as defined in the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act (35 P.S. §780-104) or as identified under schedules I, II, III, IV or V of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. § 812(c)).

Disproportionality
Disproportionate representation, or disproportionality, refers to the overrepresentation of a given population or demographic group (e.g., race, ethnicity, students with disabilities, and gender).

Disruptive Student
As defined by the Public School Code (24 P.S. § 19-1901-C(5)), a student in grades 6 through 12:

    • who poses a clear threat to the safety and welfare of other students or the school staff; or
    • who creates an unsafe school environment; or
    • whose behavior materially interferes with the learning of other students or disrupts the overall educational process.

Additionally, the student must exhibit to a marked degree any or all of the following conditions:

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

Formal Periodic Review
AEDY LEA In-house and Private Provider Programs are required to conduct formal periodic reviews of every student placed in an AEDY Program. This review must occur, at a minimum, prior to the Presumptive Exit Date that the student is in the AEDY Program. The purpose of this review is to determine whether the student is ready to transition back to the regular education setting.  (24 P.S. § 19-1901-C)(1)).

Presumptive Exit Date
PDE has established a 45-day presumptive exit date to ensure that students do not remain in placement beyond 45 days without a review of progress and a deliberate decision for continuation in the program.  Students meeting behavioral goals should transition back to the regular education setting, and students not meeting behavioral goals may remain in the AEDY Program with their progress reviewed prior to the second Presumptive Exit Date.

Weapon
"Weapon" is defined by the Crimes Code at 18 Pa.C.S. § 912 (relating to possession of weapon on school property)./p>


1A student with a disability must not be placed in an AEDY Program under this placement category unless (a) the student has had multiple displays of such behavior, documented by the LEA; (b) the LEA has attempted and documented multiple unsuccessful evidence-based interventions, and that the behavior persists; and (c) the LEA has conducted and documented compliance with applicable IDEA procedure.