Colbert County School System ensures that all children residing within the jurisdiction of the public education agency, birth to 21, regardless of the severity of their disability and who need special education and related services, are identified, located, and evaluated. Child Find applies to children who attend private schools, including children attending religious schools within the public education agency's jurisdiction, highly mobile children with disabilities (i.e., migrant and homeless children), and children who are suspected of having a disability and are in need of special education even though they are advancing from grade to grade. Child Find also includes a practical method of determining that eligible children with disabilities are receiving needed special education and related services
Services are provided for exceptional children and youth in accordance with the federal and state mandates concerning education for the handicapped. Procedures for evaluation and diagnosis are provided to each school within the system.
Gifted students are those who perform at or who have demonstrated the potential to perform at high levels in academic or creative fields when compared to others of their age, experience, or environment. These students require services not ordinarily provided by the regular school program. Students possessing these abilities can be found in all populations, across all economic strata, and in all areas of human endeavor.
Teachers, counselors, administrators, parents or guardians, peers, self, or any other individuals with knowledge of the student’s abilities, may refer a student. Additionally, all second grade students will be observed as potential gifted referrals using a gifted behavior checklist.
For each student referred, information is gathered in the areas of Aptitude, Characteristics, and Performance. The information is entered on a matrix where points are assigned according to established criteria. The total number of points earned determines if the student qualifies for gifted services.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 outlines Parent/Student Rights in Identification, Evaluation, and Placement of students with disabilities. Any parent who has any questions about these Rights should contact the 504 Coordinator.
To make a referral, contact the guidance counselor at your child’s school.
