Annual Report 2001 - Alabama Department of Education

Assistant State Superintendent
STATE APPROVING AGENCY
The State Approving Agency (SAA) for veterans’ training is responsible for approving and supervising educational and
job training programs for which benefits are paid to veterans and other eligible persons under Chapter 30, 32, and 35 of
Title 38 U.S. Code and Chapter 1606 formerly 106, of Title 10 U.S. Code. The SAA provides technical assistance to
schools and employers desiring to offer training to veterans, maintains a computerized database of approved sites and
program offerings for the training of veterans, and provides outreach services to groups and organizations interested in
veterans’ education training.
DIRECTOR – DISABILITY DETERMINATION SERVICES
The Disability Determination Service (DDS) processes Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income
(SSI) claims for the citizens of Alabama. The DDS is funded by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to process
these claims under applicable federal statutes, regulations, and standards. The DDS has a very close, positive working
relationship with all school systems in Alabama. The DDS requests school records to documents childhood disability
claims and, in turn, provides requested testing information to the school systems. Childhood claims comprise approximately
one third of the DDS workload. Outreach projects with social agencies and medical facilities are vital function of
the DDS. The DDS also refers selected individuals for rehabilitation services aimed largely at providing the opportunity
to return to gainful employment.
FEDERAL PROGRAMS
The major responsibilities of the Federal Program Section are to administer all federally funded education programs and
to provide technical assistance to local education agencies and schools. These responsibilities include promoting, supervising,
and coordinating statewide educational programs with federal programs; assisting schools in developing, revising,
and implementing their school wide plans; reviewing federal programs in local education agencies and schools as part of
Alabama’s consolidated monitoring process; and approving consolidated applications and amendments submitted by
local education agencies.
PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION PERSONNEL EVALUATION
The Alabama Professional Education Personnel Evaluation (PEPE) program addresses the resolution adopted by the State
Board of Education in July 1988 establishing policies and procedures requiring a professional education personnel evaluation
system in each local school system. The mission of PEPE is to assure excellence in education in Alabama’s public
schools. The primary purpose of the program is to assist educators through the process of performance evaluation and
professional growth to deliver quality educational services, thus increasing student achievement.
SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES
Provides technical assistance to all education agencies serving Alabama’s gifted children as well as children with disabilities.
SES is also responsible for ensuring that education agencies providing services are in compliance with all federal
and state laws and regulations and for processing all complaints and requests for due process hearings and mediation
regarding special education issues.
State Department of Education
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