Special Education
The special education process of Isle of Wight County Schools is a collaborative effort between school staff and parents/families. The process includes the following:
- identification
- referral
- evaluation
- eligibility
- IEP development
- placement
- reevaluation
Comprehensive Evaluation
A comprehensive evaluation involves the gathering and analyzing of information relative to the educational needs of the student, and the determination of whether a disability exists under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and its revisions. Written parental consent must be obtained prior to completing a comprehensive evaluation. The components of a comprehensive evaluation must include all areas related to the suspected disability, and may include the following assessments:
- Developmental – a written report describing how the student currently functions in the major developmental areas of cognition, motor, social/adaptive behavior, perception, and communication.
- Educational – a written report describing the student’s current level of achievement, identifying academic strengths and weaknesses.
- Medical – a written report from a licensed health care professional indicating general medical history, and identifying any medical problems that may be an impediment to the learning process.
- Sociocultural – a written report from a qualified visiting teacher or school social worker that is the result of an interview with the parents or primary caregivers, or other methods of data gathering. The report describes family history/dynamics, developmental health history, and social/adaptive behavior in the home, school, and community.
- Psychological – a written report from a qualified psychologist that is the result of the administration of an appropriate battery of instruments which include individual intelligence test(s) and psycho-educational tests.
- Other – a written report of other assessments such as, but not limited to, speech and language, occupational therapy, and physical therapy, as appropriate.
Eligibility
Within sixty-five (65) administrative working days from the date or receipt of the referral, the Eligibility Committee meets to review and analyze all evaluation data as they apply to eligibility criteria. A student is found eligible for special education services if:
- The student meets the eligibility criteria; and
- There is evidence of adverse educational impact.
Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is developed for each student who meets the criteria of a student with a disability under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The IEP Team is made up of the parent(s), school staff, and the student (when appropriate). The IEP identifies:
- the levels at which the student is functioning (present level of performance);
- what the student will be taught over the term of the plan (goals and objectives);
- who (by title) will provide services;
- how the goals and objectives will be evaluated;
- any related services required;
- in what location(s) services will be provided;
- the amount of time the student will spend with special education staff;
- the amount of time the student will spend with peers without disabilities;
- and other information.
Special Education Services Offered
Isle of Wight County Schools has a long-standing commitment to the provision of a free, appropriate education for all students with disabilities, ages 2 through 21, inclusive. The appropriateness of services, including identification of the least restrictive environment, is defined in the student’s Individualized Educational Plan (IEP), which is developed collaboratively by school staff, the student’s parent(s), the student (when appropriate), and other invited participants. Special education services may be provided in zoned or out-of-zone schools within the division, as well as in special programs or schools outside of the division, as appropriate. Isle of Wight County Schools provides special education services for students identified by the Eligibility Committee as having any one or more of the following disabilities:
- Autism
- Deaf
- Deaf-Blind
- Developmental Delay
- Emotional Disability
- Hearing Impairment
- Intellectual Disability
- Learning Disability
- Multiple Disabilities
- Orthopedic Impairment
- Other Health Impairment
- Speech and Language Impairment
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Visual Impairment
The Virginia Department of Education is required to annually prepare and distribute to local school boards information describing the educational and other services that are available to students who are deaf, hard of hearing, or visually impaired. The Code of Virginia at § 22.1-217.01 requires school boards to annually post this information on school division websites to inform the parents of students who are identified as deaf, hard of hearing, or visually impaired of the availability of such services.
2024 Parent Involvement Survey
All parents of school-aged children and youth with disabilities who receive special education services in Virginia are encouraged to complete the Virginia Department of Education’s annual Parent Involvement Survey. The survey will remain open through December 13, 2024. If you have questions concerning this survey, please contact Dr. Chiquita Seaborne, Family Engagement Specialist/Special Projects Coordinator, via telephone at (804) 418-4672 or via email, at [email protected].
TO: Directors of Special Education
SUBJECT: Annual Resources Update for Serving Students with Sensory Disabilities
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is required by the Code of Virginia,
§ 22.1-217.01, to annually prepare and distribute to local school boards information describing educational and other services that are available to students who are deaf, hard of hearing, or visually impaired. School boards are required to post this information on school division websites annually and to inform the parents of students who are identified as deaf, hard of hearing, or visually impaired of the availability of such services. Specifically, the law states:
“The Department of Education shall annually prepare and distribute to local school boards packets of information describing the educational and other services available through the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind, the Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing, and the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired to students who are identified as deaf or hard of hearing or visually impaired. Local school boards shall annually post this information on the school division’s website and inform the parents of those students who are identified as deaf or hard of hearing or visually impaired of its availability. School boards shall ensure that packets of such information are available in an accessible format for review by parents who do not have Internet access.”
The VDOE’s Annual Resources Update for Serving Students with Sensory Disabilities is a compilation of the required guidance documents and additional resources available through the VDOE’s Sensory Disabilities webpage. Administrators and teachers may reprint VDOE’s guidance and resources to share with parents. School divisions may also provide printed copies and alternate formats in Virginia public schools and public libraries.
For questions regarding these annual resources, contact Wanda Council, Specialist for Sensory Disabilities, at (804) 750-8614 or [email protected].
Parent Resource Center Webpage