JACKSON TWP — Seneca Valley passed its recent special education audit with flying colors.

The state Department of Education's Bureau of Special Education found the school district's special education program to be in compliance with federal and state special education regulations, said Jerry Miller, district director of special education at Monday's school board meeting.

Additionally, the bureau gave the district a commendation for its extensive transition program, which includes the Raider Roast coffee shop that is staffed by students with special needs and community-based vocational training sites with local businesses.

“With a school district the size of ours, this is no small accomplishment,” Miller said. “We have 1,352 students who we provide special education services.”

Public schools special education programs are monitored once every six years by the state Department of Education's Bureau of Special Education to ensure compliance.

Miller said the bureau sent a team to the district in April to review documents, interview administrators, staff and faculty, observe classrooms and gather feedback from parent, student and teacher surveys.

They also reviewed several students' files to see if progress was being made in their individualized education programs. More than 900 documents overall were reviewed this monitoring cycle, Miller said.

The special education review shows vast improvement from years past.

Miller said 12 years ago the audit showed 27 areas that needed corrective action. Six years ago, there were 18 areas that needed corrective action, he said.

The board members offered praise to Miller and Cecil Crouch, assistant director of special education, for their leadership of the department although Miller was quick to deflect that praise to his team, which includes four secretaries and about 100 special education teachers.

“Without these folks doing what they do every day, I wouldn't be talking to you about being in 100 percent compliance,” Miller said.