Nearly 23,000 students (ages 3 to 21) receive special education services from a top-notch team of GCPS staff members. This team—our special education teachers, paraprofessionals, physical and occupational therapists, behavioral support staff, speech-language pathologists, support staff for assistive technology, special education bus drivers and monitors, and others who support our students with disabilities—work together with students and families to empower every child to reach his or her potential.
The vision of the district’s special education team is to work collaboratively with students, families, schools, and the community to increase student achievement and to promote postsecondary success for all students with disabilities. In its quest to provide “Quality learning through quality education for all students,” the Department of Special Education and Psychological Services provides a wide range of services, including assessment, interventions, and related services and supports.
GCPS’ program serves students on the autism spectrum, children with specific learning disabilities, those with intellectual disabilities, students with orthopedic impairments, medically fragile children, children with emotional and behavioral disorders, students with visual impairments, students who are deaf or hard of hearing, students with speech or language impairments, and children with significant developmental delays. The district’s Early Childhood Program offers an early start for our youngest learners.
Students are served in their home schools and in specialized programs located around the district, including those housed at Oakland Meadow School. Oakland serves medically fragile students of all ages, children with emotional and behavioral disorders, and older students with profound disabilities who are served in a post-K-12 transition program. Staff members who travel the county to provide related services also may be housed at Oakland.
Young people may be served through their 21st birthday in specialized programs, including programs housed at Buice Center. ADAPT (Assisting Developing Adults with Productive Transitions) is a functional life skills program emphasizing community participation. ADAPT students learn home living, vocational, and community skills, allowing them to maximize their independence in adulthood. STRIVE (Supported Training and Rehabilitative Instruction in Vocational Education) is a community-based work skills program that provides real-life work experiences for students with intellectual disabilities in real community-based businesses.
We appreciate the caring and dedicated professionals in every school and around the county who support our students, adapting to their specific learning needs and helping students develop life skills that foster independence.
If you’re interested in helping students develop skills and independence, find out more about employment opportunities in GCPS in special education.
#ThankASpEdTeacher #ThankSpEdStaff
In Special Education and Psychological Services, we believe…
All students can learn more than they are currently learning.
Collaboration with all stakeholders is essential.
All special education students should be included in general education curriculum, instruction, and assessment to the maximum extent appropriate.
Decisions should be based on current data and replicable research information.
The learning environments for students should be relevant, as rigorous as possible, and caring as perceived by students and parents.
The teacher is a critical element in each student’s education. Resources should focus on improving the effectiveness of each special education teacher.
Literacy, self-management, and partnering with parents are fundamental to achieving our Vision and Mission.