Special Education

The Department of Special Programs is an integral part of the KWCPS Department of Instruction and is responsible for all programs serving students with disabilities including identification, program development, and service implementation. We also address issues related to homelessness, discipline, truancy, school health, enrollment, early intervention teams, therapeutic day treatment services, and inter-agency support programs.

The Individuals with Disability Education Act (IDEA) guarantees a free appropriate public education to all eligible children with disabilities. The steps in the special education process include:

  1. Identification and referral

  2. Evaluation

  3. Determination of eligibility

  4. Development of an individualized education program (IEP) and determination of services

  5. Reevaluation

There are timelines schools must follow for each step. Timelines help to prevent any delay. Procedural safeguards, which are rights given to the parents of a child with a disability and the child upon reaching the age of majority (age 18), ensure that the child is provided a free appropriate public education according to the Federal and State rules. The services and placement of students with disabilities who need special education, are developed through an IEP, which is the responsibility of local public school divisions.

"Special Education" means specially-designed instruction, at no cost to the parent(s), to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability, including instruction conducted in a classroom, in the home, in hospitals, in institutions, and in other settings and instruction in physical education. The term includes each of the following if it meets the requirements of the definition of special education in § 22.1-213 of the Code of Virginia.

"Specially-designed instruction" means adapting, as appropriate to the needs of an eligible child, the content, methodology, or delivery of instruction to:

  • address the unique needs of the child that result from the child's disability;

  • ensure access of the child to the general curriculum, so that the child can meet the educational standards that apply to all children within the jurisdiction of the local educational agency.

The Virginia Department of Education provides a variety of resources to parents, who play an integral role in the education of their children. Visit the VDOE's Information for Families webpage to access resources, including:

Additional Resources

  • Virginia Family Special Education Connection - This website provides a one-stop-shop for parents, families and caregivers of children with special needs to:

    • Access local school system contacts and disability services in your community

    • Explore an abundance of resources to help your child succeed.

    • Learn about and plan your child's educational program

    • Understand your legal rights and responsibilities

Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)

The major purpose of the SEAC is to provide an opportunity for parents and other Board appointees to have a voice in the way the school division provides services to students with disabilities.  Click here to learn more about the role and composition of the SEAC.

2024-25 SEAC meeting dates (@ 6:00 PM):

  • Sept 25 - HHMS Cafetorium

  • Oct 23 - HHMS Cafetorium

  • Nov 13 - HHMS Media Center

  • Jan 22 - HHMS Media Center

  • Feb 26 - HHMS Media Center

  • Mar 26 - HHMS Media Center

  • Apr 23 - HHMS Media Center

For more information, contact:

Mrs. Shellie Waldron - Director of Special Programs

Mrs. Sabrina Moran - Special Education Coordinator