Special Education Services and Supports

The Georgia Department of Education (Division for Special Education Services and Supports) provides necessary infrastructure and supports for leaders, teachers, and families to meet the whole child needs of each student improving student outcomes and school climate resulting in an increased quality of life and workforce ready future. We must commit to effective collaboration across agencies and school-home partnerships to support local school districts in their efforts to provide special education and related services for students with disabilities.

The GaDOE must provide state General Supervision for local school districts to improve educational results and functional outcomes for all children with disabilities and ensure that the requirements of IDEA are met. We believe that all students must have an equitable opportunity for school completion and successful postsecondary outcomes.

Proposed Special Education State Board of Education Rule Changes Requesting Stakeholder Feedback

The Georgia Department of Education requests stakeholder feedback on proposed Special Education State Board of Education rule changes for the following:
160-4-7-.18 GRANTS FOR SERVICES

160-4-7-.03 CHILD FIND PROCEDURES

160-4-7-.16 GEORGIA LEARNING RESOURCES SYSTEM (GLRS)

Stakeholders may submit feedback to Wina Low, State Special Education Director, at wlow@doe.k12.ga.us or Amber McCollum, Senior Program Manager, at amccollum@doe.k12.ga.us by January 10, 2023. Parent to Parent of Georgia will also be hosting virtual meetings for stakeholders in addition to written submission of comments. Virtual feedback sessions will be posted on the Parent to Parent of Georgia website at https://www.p2pga.org as well as the Division for Special Education Supports and Services webpage at Special Education Services and Supports (gadoe.org).

OSEP (updated Feb 2022) Questions and Answers on Serving Children with Disabilities Placed by Their Parents in Private Schools - NEW

This revised Q&A document updates and supersedes the Department's April 2011 guidance and includes additional questions and answers that address topics that have arisen as state and LEAs continue to implement the provision of IDEA related to proportionate share and equitable services.

Professional Learning Opportunities

Professional Learning is the means by which teachers, administrators, and other staff acquire, enhance, and refine the knowledge, skills, practices, and dispositions necessary to create and support high levels of learning for all students.
Purpose: To provide leadership, technical assistance, and resources to the Georgia education community in order to improve student learning through organizational development and professional learning
GaDOE Professional Learning Events
Professional learning events are updated quarterly, and educational stakeholders are encouraged to visit the site often to review the latest agency-wide offerings. View GaDOE professional learning events here.

Spotlight on New and Notable Resources