 Special Education |
Lisa Martin - Director |
SCHOOL SYSTEM MEETING STUDENTS' SPECIAL NEEDS Jackson County Schools provides special education and related services to students who have been determined eligible for such services in accordance with state board policy. A student may be referred for evaluation by any concerned individual to the Student Assistance Team. Upon receipt of parent consent, an evaluation is conducted by a multi-disciplinary evaluation team to determine a child's eligibility for services based upon criteria set forth in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and state board policy. An individualized education program (IEP) which addresses special education, supplementary aids, and related service needs is developed for each student who is determined eligible. Additionally, those students parentally placed in a private school may be eligible for special education services. If so, representatives of Jackson County Schools, the private school and the parents will determine the services to be provided. Related services are support services required to assist an eligible exceptional student to benefit from special education and enable him/her to access the general curriculum. This includes, but is not limited to, assistive technology, audiology, speech and language pathology, psychological services, physical and occupational therapy, orientation and mobility training, Braille, sign language interpreter and transportation. The Jackson County Schools Parent/Educator Resource Center (PERC), located at the corner of Sycamore and Henry Streets in Ravenswood, is staffed by a special educator and a parent. The PERC staff offers training to parents, educators and students on a variety of topics related to disabilities and services available for students and families as well as training in the IEP process, self-advocacy, parenting, and surrogate parent training. The PERC maintains an extensive lending library on topics including specific disabilities, parenting skills, transition and many other topics. Parents may contact the PERC at 273-3545 or learn more about services provided by visiting the Parent-Educator Resource Center page on the Jackson County Schools website. |
