Handbook Only - Frederick County Public Schools

THE CALENDAR HANDBOOK FOR 2012–2013 28
Special Education
The Special Education Program serves the instructional needs
of eligible students with educational disabilities that affect their
educational performance from age 3 through the school year
that the student reaches age 21. Priorities are to identify students
with disabilities, provide proper evaluation and, with parents,
make decisions regarding appropriate instruction through an
Individualized Education Program (IEP) team process.
Students receive services in the least restrictive environment.
A small percentage of students with disabilities are educated
in special day settings, and a very small number require private
placement outside the public school system. Extended School
Year services are available for eligible students as determined by
the school IEP team.
Every Frederick County public school has an IEP team that
determines a student’s eligibility for special education and related
services. In addition, the team follows the process of developing
IEPs for eligible students, determining services required to
implement IEPs, and makes recommendations for the students’
programs and placements. Parents are invited and encouraged
to participate in IEP team meetings. A separate county-level IEP
team reviews cases that are referred by local schools whose existing
staff and resources cannot meet students’ needs.
For more information, contact one of the Special Education
supervisors and/or please visit www.fcps.org. ★
SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Child Find Services
Child Find is the process for locating, evaluating and identifying
all children from birth through age 21 who are suspected of
having a disability. Parents who suspect their child may have an
educational disability should speak with staff at their child’s school.
If a child is 2 years, 9 months or older and not enrolled in FCPS,
parents should contact the Child Find office at 301-644-5292
for preschoolers and 301-644-5003 for school-age children.
Information regarding the Child Find process for children younger
than 2 years, 9 months may be obtained from the Frederick County
Developmental Center, 301-600-1611. ★
Infants and Toddlers Program
This interagency program provides early intervention services
for children from birth through eligibility for kindergarten who
are experiencing developmental delays in areas such as motor
development, cognition, communication, social-emotional or
self-help skills. Audiology, occupa tional and physical therapy,
social work, psychology, hearing services, speech/language therapy,
special instruction, service coordination and family support
services are available at no cost. The Frederick County Health
Department is the lead agency for this program, together with
FCPS, the Frederick County Department of Social Services and
Maryland School for the Deaf. For information, call the Frederick
County Developmental Center, 301-600-1612. ★
Sign Language Interpreting
Sign language interpreting services are provided upon request for
specific school-sponsored events. For more information, call the
number in the directory section on page 55 of this handbook. ★
Special Education Citizens
Advisory Committee (SECAC)
The Frederick County SECAC meets monthly, September-
May, to collaborate with and provide input to the Special
Education Office. Membership includes parents, community
representatives, students and FCPS staff. Meetings are open to
the public, and new membership is solicited each year. For more
information contact the Special Education director. ★
Special Education Pre–Kindergarten
Students ages 3-5 may qualify for special education pre-
kindergarten, based on the severity of the disability, at one of 13
schools. Classes are half day and serve students in a small-group
setting. Opportunities for inclusion with non-disabled peers are
a priority. ★