Special Education

The Greene County School District Special Education Department is committed to ensuring that every student has access to a high-quality education in a supportive and inclusive learning environment. We provide a comprehensive continuum of special education services for eligible students with disabilities, ages 3 through 21, to help them achieve academic, social, behavioral, and functional success. Special education services are provided in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004), the Alabama Administrative Code, and all applicable federal and state laws governing special education. Our goal is to ensure that every student receives the individualized support and services needed to reach their fullest potential. The Greene County School District believes that student success is achieved through collaboration. Our Special Education Department partners with students, families, teachers, administrators, related service providers, and community agencies to develop individualized educational programs that address each student’s unique strengths and needs. Together, we work to promote meaningful learning experiences, independence, and positive outcomes for every child. Students who qualify for special education services must meet federal and state eligibility criteria for one or more disability categories and demonstrate a need for specially designed instruction to access and make progress in the general education curriculum. Services are individualized through the development and implementation of an Individualized Education Program (IEP) designed to support each student’s educational growth and success.

Child Find is a statewide effort by the State Department of Education and the Department of Rehabilitation Services to locate, identify, and evaluate children with disabilities from birth to age 21. Early Intervention and Special Education Services work closely with community service agencies, parents, and local school systems to locate children with disabilities. A toll free number is provided for parents or other persons interested in information about referring a child from birth to age 21. Child Find helps the child, the family, and the provider to plan appropriate services and link families to services for students meeting eligibility requirements in the following disability areas:

• Autism
• Deaf-Blindness
• Developmentally Delayed
• Emotional Disturbance
• Hearing Impairment
• Intellectual Disabilities
• Multiple Disabilities
• Orthopedic Impairment
• Other Health Impairment
• Specific Learning Disabilities
• Speech and Language Impairment
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Visual Impairment

The State of Alabama defines intellectually gifted children and youth as those who perform or who have demonstrated the potential to perform at high levels in academic or creative fields when compared to other students of their age, experience, or environment. These students require services not ordinarily provided by the regular school program. Children and youth possessing these abilities can be found in all populations, across all economic strata, and in all areas of human endeavor. Students are identified as gifted in a multitude of areas using multiple criteria. We recognize that talents and gifts may manifest in multiple disciplines. Talent areas are best nurtured through facilitating students actively acquiring knowledge and skills in processing information. Deep and complex understanding of the disciplines, social and emotional stability, and critical thinking allow students to become independent, lifelong learners. Gifted and general education teacher collaboration differentiates instruction, continuing the gifted students’ engagement in learning.

What is Section 504?
Civil Rights legislation for persons with disabilities Legislative intent is to prevent discrimination based on disability

Who is handicapped under 504?
“Handicapped person.” (1) “Handicapped persons” means any person who (i) has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities, (ii) has a record of such an impairment, or (iii) is regarded as having such an impairment.

What is substantial limitation?
1) Unable to perform a major life activity that the average person in the general population can perform, or 2) Significantly restricted as to the condition, manner or duration under which an individual can perform a particular major life activity as compared to the condition, manner or duration under which the average person in the general population can perform the same major life activity.

What are major life activities?
“Major life activities” means functions such as caring for one’s self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working.