Student Programs and Services

The Department of Special Education

Atlanta Public Schools ensures the “life-long achievement of every child through effective and innovative teaching that meets the needs of individual learners,” including those with disabilities. In accordance with the district’s mission, the Program for Exceptional Children envisions a school system where all students, families, schools, and community members share the motivation, knowledge, and skills to work together to ensure that all children with disabilities are learning, progressing, and meeting high expectations (IDEA Partnerships, 2000).

The Atlanta Public Schools Department of Special Education offers a broad continuum of services for students three (3) through twenty-one (21) years of age. Following a comprehensive assessment that may include a psychological evaluation, educational testing, speech-language assessment, audiological testing and other assessments, a student may be eligible to receive services in one or more of the following categories. . . .

Autism
Emotional/Behavioral Disorders
Hearing Impaired
Orthopedically Impaired
Other Health Impaired
Preschool Special Education
Related Services
Specific Learning Disabilities
Speech-Language Impaired
Traumatic Brain Injury
Visually Impaired
Intellectual Disabilities (Mild, Moderate, Severe/Profound)

Classes serving students with disabilities are located in elementary, middle, high schools, and psycho-educational centers. Delivery models for instruction include regular classroom, resource, self-contained home-based settings, and residential settings. All programs are not represented in every school. In these instances, students are assigned to a program nearest the home school and transportation is provided.

The Department of Special Education is required to provide free, appropriate public education to eligible children in cooperation with parents and other agencies under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Each eligible student must have an Individual Education Program (IEP), which is developed by a team composed of teachers and other qualified school personnel, parents or guardians and the student, when appropriate. The IEP is revised when necessary and reviewed at least annually.

Meet Special Education Teacher Elisha Gray - Maynard Holbrook Jackson High School
APS' 2011-2012 District-wide Teacher of the Year

http://www.apsk12.org/media/VIDEO_PAGES/MASTER-JACKSONTOTY_2011.html

130 Trinity Ave. SW.
6th Floor
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: 404 802-2602
Fax: 404-802-1602 or 404-802-1612