1. Accessing Special Education Services for Your Child
Terry W. Fletcher
Georgia Department of Education
Division for Exceptional Students

2. Student Support Team (SST)
A regular education, problem-solving process in every Georgia school
To provide support to both students and teachers with the outcome being improved student performance
Marshall vs. Georgia (Georgia Board Rule )

3. Section 504 Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Any student who is regarded as having an impairment or has a record of an impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities
Reasonable accommodations: modifications/adjustments of educational programs to afford students with disabilities equal opportunity to access the programs

4. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA, 1997)
Free appropriate education
Appropriate evaluation
Individualized education program
Least restrictive environment
Parent and student participation in decision making
Procedural due process

5. Free Appropriate Education (FAPE)
Free – at no cost to parents
Appropriate – suited to the individual needs of the child
Public – provided by, or paid for by, the public school system
Education – what this law is all about

6. Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)
To the maximum extent appropriate children with disabilities are educated with children who are nondisabled
Special classes, separate schooling or other removal of children with disabilities from the regular educational environment occurs only when the nature or severity of the disability is such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily.

7. Determining LRE
If the student can be educated satisfactorily in the general education classroom, with aids and services, then that’s the student’s LRE
If not, consider alternative placements:
- instruction in regular classes
- special classes
- special schools
- home instruction
- instruction in hospitals and
institutions

8. Plans
504 Plans
SST Plans
IEP

9. The SST Process Gathering Information
Assessment and Evaluation of Data
Development of Educational Plan
Implementation of Educational Plan
Evaluation of Progress
Ongoing Monitoring and Evaluation

10. The Special Education Process
Referral
Evaluation
Identification
Eligibility
Placement
Reevaluation

11. Service Delivery Models
Team/collaborative Model
Consultative Model
Departmental Model
Related Vocational Instruction (RVI)
Support Services

12. Service Delivery Programs
Resource Program
Self-Contained Program

13. Service Delivery Location
Community-Based Program
Home-Based Program
Hospital/Homebound Instruction
Local School Facility
Psychoeducational Program
Residential Program
Special Day-School Program
State-Operated Schools

14. Parent Participation Evaluation Eligibility Reevaluation Meetings
Records
Student Progress