Special Education Process

If you are transferring your child into the Russell County School District (RCSD), please notify school personnel during registration if your child previously received special education services or was in the process of being evaluated for special education eligibility.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to provide any available special education documentation, including a current Individualized Education Program (IEP), eligibility determination, evaluation reports, and other relevant records.

Upon enrollment, school personnel will review the student's existing records and coordinate with the Russell County School District Special Services Department to determine the appropriate next steps.

For students transferring from another Alabama school district, RCSD will provide a free appropriate public education (FAPE), including services comparable to those described in the student's previous IEP, until the district adopts the previous IEP or develops and implements a new IEP.

For students transferring from another state, RCSD will provide comparable services until the district conducts an evaluation, if determined necessary, and develops a new IEP consistent with Alabama requirements.

Parents and guardians will be included in the process, and appropriate meetings will be scheduled to ensure continuity of services.

Parents, guardians, teachers, physicians, therapists, and other individuals who have concerns regarding a child's academic, developmental, behavioral, or functional progress may request a referral for a special education evaluation.

Referral procedures are available for the following students:

• Private School Students: If your child attends a private school located within the Russell County School District's jurisdiction, please contact the RCSD Special Services Department for information regarding Child Find and special education evaluation procedures.

• Homeschooled Students: If your child is homeschooled and resides within the Russell County School District, please contact the RCSD Special Services Department.

• Preschool-Age Children: If your child is between the ages of 3 and 5 and you suspect a disability, please contact the RCSD Special Services Department to request information regarding preschool special education screening and evaluation.

• Currently Enrolled Students: If your child attends a Russell County school, please contact your child's teacher, school counselor, special education teacher, or school administrator to discuss your concerns and initiate the referral process.

A referral meeting will be scheduled to review concerns and relevant educational information, which may include academic performance, attendance, discipline, health information, intervention data, classroom observations, and other relevant documentation.

The Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team will review available information to determine whether a special education evaluation is warranted.

If an evaluation is recommended, written parental consent must be obtained before the initial evaluation begins.

In accordance with Alabama special education regulations, the initial evaluation must be completed within 60 calendar days of receiving written parental consent, subject to applicable exceptions.

Reference: Alabama Administrative Code, Chapter 290-8-9-.01.

Following completion of the evaluation, an eligibility meeting will be scheduled to review assessment results and determine whether the student qualifies for special education and related services.

The eligibility determination is made by a team of qualified professionals and the student's parent or guardian.

The team considers evaluation results, educational performance, developmental information, and other relevant data to determine whether the student meets Alabama's eligibility criteria under an applicable disability category and requires specially designed instruction.

If the student is determined eligible, the parent or guardian will be asked to provide written consent before special education and related services are provided for the first time.

If the student does not meet eligibility requirements, the team may discuss other appropriate general education interventions or supports.

Reference: Alabama Administrative Code, Chapter 290-8-9-.04.

When a student is determined eligible for special education services, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) is developed to address the student's unique educational needs.

The IEP is a written educational plan developed collaboratively by the IEP Team, which includes the parent or guardian and appropriate school personnel.

Depending on the student's individual needs, the IEP may include:

• Academic and functional performance goals.

• Specially designed instruction and instructional supports.

• Classroom accommodations and modifications.

• Behavioral goals and positive behavioral interventions.

• Transition planning and postsecondary goals, when applicable.

• Related services, such as speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, or physical therapy, when required for the student to benefit from special education.

• Participation in state and district assessments, including appropriate accommodations.

• Services and supports necessary for the student to receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE).

IEPs are reviewed at least annually and may be reviewed more frequently when requested by the parent or guardian or when the student's educational needs warrant additional consideration.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to participate actively in all IEP meetings and educational decisions involving their child.

Reference: Alabama Administrative Code, Chapter 290-8-9-.05.