Special Education Home
Special Education
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law that ensures the provision of appropriate services for children with disabilities nationwide. IDEA governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education, and related services to eligible infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities. Infants and toddlers with disabilities (ages birth through age two) and their families receive early intervention services under IDEA, Part C. Children and youth (ages 3–21) receive special education and related services under IDEA, Part B.
Special Education in Union County is a support team that provides services to students in various settings. It is important to keep in mind, however, that receiving special education services does not mean that students with disabilities will spend their day entirely in separate special education classrooms. These settings could include support in the general education classroom, pull-out intervention services, related services, or, in extreme cases, placement in the most restrictive environment of a comprehensive classroom, homebound, or special schools.
To achieve high-quality outcomes, Union County will create high-quality IEPs that will serve as a roadmap for all stakeholders informed by a variety of data sources. The IEP will define where students currently are, outline how they should improve over the next year, and explain how general education teachers, special education teachers, and related service providers will help students achieve this. In conclusion, it is Union County’s vision that all students with disabilities will have high-quality IEPs developed in collaboration with multiple stakeholders to promote student achievement and be successful in post-secondary life.
The ultimate goal of special education services is to close gaps and promote independence.
Notice of Child Find Services for Private School Students
Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and local district policy, Union County Public Schools is responsible for locating, identifying, and evaluating all children with suspected disabilities who are parentally placed in a private school located within the district's boundaries or enrolled in an independent homeschool.
This Child Find process ensures that private school students have equitable access to evaluation and special education consultation comparable to that of public school students.
If you are a parent of a student enrolled at a private school within Union County, TN and suspect your child may have a disability requiring special education or related services, you have the right to request an evaluation. To coordinate this process or learn more about equitable services, please contact the Special Education Office at 865-992-5466.