Student Services

NOTICE OF CHILD FIND
In accordance with state rule 160-4-7-.03 and IDEA regulations, Marietta City Schools (MCS) conducts child find activities to identify, locate and evaluate all children, who reside within the district, who are suspected of having disabilities that may result in a need for special education and related services. Child Find responsibilities extend to all children (ages birth through 21) suspected of having disabilities, including those attending private school, highly mobile children, migrant children, unhoused children, those who are wards of the state, and home school children located within the district, regardless of the severity.

The final identification of students with disabilities and the development of programming for such students occur only after an analysis of intervention data, an appropriate evaluation, and a determination of eligibility by a Multidisciplinary Placement Team. Once it is determined a student needs special education and related services, he/she may receive these services from ages 3 through 21 and up until their 22nd birthday. If you suspect your child has a disability, or if you know of a child who you suspect may have a disability, or if you have questions about special education and related services, please contact:

Student Services
250 Howard Street
Marietta, Georgia 30060
(770) 422-3500 ext. 7240

Special education and related services are provided for children with identified disabilities beginning at the age of three.

For additional information, contact the Marietta City Preschool Program at (770) 422-3500.

Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) is designed to provided tiered interventions for students at risk for poor school performance due to behavior and/or academics. MTSS begins with progress monitoring and the provision of evidence-based interventions. MTSS is a framework for all students, it occurs in collaboration with school and family. It is an essential component of instructional programming.

Megan Buchholz
District Administrator for MTSS
250 Howard Street
Marietta, Ga 30060
Phone: (770) 422-3500, ext. 7293
mbuchholz@marietta-city.k12.ga.us

The Parent-Mentor Partnership is a parent-driven initiative supported by the Georgia Department of Education for Exceptional Students and Marietta City Schools. Parent mentors are parents of children with disabilities. Marietta City Schools’ parent-mentor program helps provide parents of students with disabilities information, guidance, and resources to support students at home, at school, and in their communities.

Each school year, we offer parent training and informational sessions about topics important to students with disabilities and their families. We collaborate with school administrators and teachers, supporting educators in their efforts to help families and students plan for and achieve their educational and post-secondary goals.

For more information, visit the Parent Mentor page. 

You may also contact our Parent Mentor, Vacant, via email catherinehaney@marietta-city.k12.ga.us or via telephone (678) 695-7236.

Marietta City Schools employs six full-time school psychologists who are skilled practitioners in the areas of psycho-educational assessment, special education procedures, childhood and adolescent development, behavior management, intervention planning, crisis counseling, and consultation.

They use their knowledge of psychology, reinforced by familiarity with the latest research regarding school psychological practice, to assess students and intervene in a variety of mental health, developmental, learning, and behavior problems and disabilities.

In addition to certification by the Department of Education, one of our school psychologists is licensed by the State Board of Psychology and two are Nationally Certified School Psychologists.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a national law that protects qualified individuals from discrimination based on their disability. The nondiscrimination requirements of the law apply to employers and organizations that receive financial assistance from any Federal department or agency, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). These organizations and employers include many hospitals, nursing homes, mental health centers and human service programs.

Section 504 forbids organizations and employers from excluding or denying individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to receive program benefits and services. It defines the rights of individuals with disabilities to participate in, and have access to, program benefits and services.

• ADA Section 504 Fact Sheet
• 504 Procedural Safeguards
• Notice of Rights of Students (Section 504)
• Notice of Rights of Students (Section 504)(Español)

For more information regarding Section 504, or if you have questions or need additional assistance, please contact Marietta City Schools’ Section 504 Coordinator at the following address:

Tasha Bowen
504 Coordinator
250 Howard Street
Marietta, GA 30060
tbowen@marietta-city.k12.ga.us

Marietta City Schools provides a free, appropriate public education, in the least restrictive environment, to each student with a disability. This includes individualized instruction to meet a student’s educational and social needs in an effort to prepare the student for post-secondary education and/or employment and independent living. A full continuum of special education placement and related service options are available.

• Handbook on Parents' Rights - English
• Handbook on Parents' Rights - Portuguese
• Handbook on Parents' Rights - Spanish

For additional information, contact Catherine Haney, Director of Special Education.