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