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Department of Special Services and Educational Support

  • The Department of Special Services (DSS) is home to several programs, projects and services designed to meet the unique needs of our diverse student population. Our primary goal involves the use of system, school, grade level, and student-specific data to meet the needs of all learners. Benchmark assessments measure the progress of all children to ensure adequate progress, and early intervention services offer additional support as warranted. The Student Support Team (SST) at each school tracks the results of targeted assistance in the event that students continue to demonstrate academic or behavior difficulties. A comprehensive evaluation process is available for students if screening results indicate their inability to demonstrate progress may be due to a disability.

    expand Georgia Special Needs Scholarship and SB10

    The Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Program provides eligible special education students with the opportunity to attend another public or an approved private school.
    Student eligibility and consequent scholarship awards are determined by the Georgia Department of Education (DOE). Information and resources such as parent responsibilities, student eligibility criteria, deadlines and required transfer requests forms can be accessed from the Additional Resources link on the Special Needs Scholarship Program webpage. Marietta City Schools will render a decision approximately five business days after receiving and evaluating the public school choice option forms submitted by the parent. Please submit public schools choice option forms for inter- or intra-district transfer via fax or mail, and direct any questions or concerns regarding Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Program to Kristal Brown at kristalbrown@marietta-city.k12.ga.us

     

    expand Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act

    What Is Section 504?
    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.

    Source: https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/knowyourrights504adafactsheet.pdf

    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.org

    expand 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 in 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 suspected of having disabilities, including those attending private school and home school, regardless of the severity.

    Final identification of students with disabilities and programming for such students occurs only after an appropriate evaluation and a determination of eligibility by a Multidisciplinary Placement Team. Once it is determined a student is in need of special education and related services, he/she may receive these services 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:

    Department of Special Services
    250 Howard Street
    Marietta, Georgia 30060
    (678) 695-7240

    expand Reimbursement Application for Families of Children with Special Needs

    Now through July 31, 2022, reimbursement applications for families of children with special needs in private or home school programs are open. Families that have expenses that are necessary to meet the challenges their students face regarding educational achievement, personal development, and emotional wellbeing are invited to apply for reimbursement. To fill out an application and learn more about the process, visit the GaDOE's Families with Special Needs Reimbursement webpage

Special Education

  • 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.

    For additional information contact:
    Kristal Brown, Director of Special Education

    expand Marietta City Special Needs Preschool

    Special education and related services are provided for children with identified disabilities beginning at the age of three. The Marietta City Preschool Program (MCPP) is located at 377 Henry Street, Marietta, GA 30064.

    For additional information contact:
    Marietta City Preschool Program at (770) 422-3500

    expand School Psychology Services

    Marietta City Schools employs four 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.

    expand Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)

    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.

    Robyn Magnussen
    District Administrator
    250 Howard Street
    Marietta, Ga 30060
    Phone: (770) 422-3500 ext. 7293

    expand Parent Mentors

    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 Mentors page.

    Parent Mentor
    Phone: (770) 422-3500 ext. 7240

Contacts

  • Michele Sayles Harris
    Chief of Special Services and Educational Supports
    250-B Howard Street
    Marietta, GA 30060
    Phone: (770) 422-3500 ext. 7238

    Kristal Brown
    Director of Special Education PreK-12
    250-B Howard Street
    Marietta, GA 30060
    Phone: (770) 422-3500 ext. 7240