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Special Education Services

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Overview

MCPS provides students with disabilities access to high-quality instruction in general education schools throughout the county and nonpublic special education schools.  Services are available to children from birth through the end of the year in which they turn age 21.

Accessing Special Education Services

Parents who suspect that their school-aged child may have a disability that requires specialized instruction should first discuss their concerns with their child's teacher. Before a child is identified with an educational disability, the Individualized Education Program (IEP) team must conduct an evaluation. For a school-aged child, members of the IEP team include the child's classroom teacher, a special education teacher, an administrator, the parents and other school-based personnel as deemed appropriate. As part of the evaluation, the team reviews information about the student, including assessments, educational records or information submitted by the parents. The team also may recommend additional assessments. If the team determines that the student has an educational disability, the team develops a written IEP for the student and recommends appropriate services.

Special Education Services

Special education services are provided along a continuum of settings, ranging from the general education environment to special class placements. Special education specialists provide support and assistance to schools to ensure implementation of the curriculum and the placement of students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment (LRE). For more information on the delivery of special education services, contact School-Based Special Education Services at 301-279-3837.

Dispute Resolution

When parents have concerns about their child's IEP, they should first discuss their concerns with the child's teacher or principal. If these concerns are not resolved, parents may contact the special education supervisor for their cluster by calling School-Based Special Education Services. There are several formal resolution processes that can be pursued by parents if they are still not satisfied. Parents are encouraged to pursue resolution through an administrative review or a mediation session. Parents always have the right to file for a due process hearing or file a complaint with the Maryland State Department of Education.

Additional Information 

Special Education Resources for Parents

The website of the MCPS Department of Special Education contains a wealth of information and resources for parents. Several key pages are noted below: