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.

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.

• 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.org

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

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 the Marietta City Preschool Program at (770) 422-3500.

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.

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
rmgnussen@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, Lauren Graves, via email lgraves@marietta-city.k12.ga.us or via telephone (770) 422-3500, ext. 7267.