Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands

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Special Education
 

Special education is extra help for children with disabilities. It doesn’t always mean separate classes or schools. Your child may stay in the same class and get more help there. Some schools call special education “Exceptional Education”. It is the same thing.

Is your child having trouble in school?

  • Failing?
  • OR having problems obeying the rules?
  • OR having trouble seeing, hearing, speaking or moving?
  • OR struggling with homework?
  • OR not keeping up with other kids the same age?
  • OR having serious trouble getting along with others?

Your child may need extra help in school. You can ask the school to test your child for special education. Click on the yellow button called "Testing for special education" to learn what to do.

Children must meet certain rules to get special education. Click on the blue button called "Who can get special education?" to find out more.

Does your child have a disability but can't get special education? There is another law that may help. Click on the orange button called " Can't get special education? A 504 Plan may help."

Does your child get in trouble at school? Or have they been expelled or suspended? If your child is in special education there are some things the school must do. Click on the red button called "Does your child get in trouble at school?" to find out more.

In special (exceptional) education, each child has a different plan that says what they will learn. The plan is called an Individualized Education Program or IEP. The IEP says what will be done for your child at school. Click on the green button called "What is an IEP?" to learn more.

Who decides what kind of help your child will get at school? Click on the hot pink button called "Writing an IEP" to find out.

If your child is in special education, the IDEA law gives you certain rights. These rights are rules that help you make sure your child gets a good education. They make sure you are treated fairly by the school. Click the purple button called  "Your rights as the parent of a child in special education.

Do you and the school disagree about your child's disability, IEP or what help they will get? The law gives you ways to find agreement. Click on the aqua button called "If you and the school disagree" to find out more.

Want to know more? Click on the beige "What you need to know about special education" button. This is a big file and will take time to open.