Welcome to Alcoa City Schools Special Education

What is Special Education?

“Special Education” means specially designed instruction, at no cost to the parents, to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability. Special education includes:

· Instruction conducted in the classroom, in the home, in hospitals and institutions, and in other settings

· Instruction in physical education

· Vocational education, if it consists of socially designed instruction, at no cost to the parents, to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability.

· Speech pathology, or any other related service, if the service consists of specially designed instruction, at no cost to the parents, to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability and is considered special education rather than a related service under state standards.

“At no cost” means that all specially designed instruction is provided without charge, but does not preclude incidental fees which are normally charged to non-disabled students or their parents as part of the regular education program.

Who is Eligible for Special Education?

Children with disabilities from birth through age 21 may be eligible for special education. School-age children who are eligible usually receive special education services in the public school. Students with disabilities who attend private or religiously affiliate schools also may be eligible for special education services.

Federal law, IDEA 1997 (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1977), defines “children with disabilities” as having any of the following types of disabilities.

Areas of Disabilities

CHILD FIND

Alcoa City Schools System is responsible for developing and implementing procedures for creating public awareness of special education programs in their jurisdiction. Alcoa City Schools will locate, identify, and evaluate all (including gifted) public and private school children, with disabilities, including religious-school children residing in the jurisdiction of the LEA in accordance with 300.125 and 300.220 of the Federal Register. In an effort to comply with this law, Alcoa City Schools requests that any individual or parent contact Mrs. Deborah Smith, Supervisor of Special Education, at the Alcoa City Schools Central Office. If you need additional information, or, want to make a referral, call 865-984-0531 ext. 515.