How Can My Child Get Supports Needed at School?
CALLER: Our family is new to the area. We moved to Johnson City from California, and I need to connect to the school where my child will be enrolled. He is 6, and on the spectrum. He had an IEP in his previous school before they closed the school. Will his new school use that one? Really, I need to learn how the education system works here in Tennessee, and how to get my son the help he needs.
PATHFINDER: Great question!
If he is going to be enrolled in public school, you will need to work with your son’s local educational team to craft a new Individual Education Plan (IEP). But the first step could be to contact the school district. You can find that information on Pathfinder’s website by clicking the appropriate school system below or searching our website. You will find the contact information for the special education supervisor for the school district in your area. They will advise you on which school your child is zoned for, based on your address. And it is likely that you will be sent some paperwork to fill out.
Washington County School System
New Tennesseans sometimes ask Pathfinder about Charter Schools, as they didn’t have that program in their state. On the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) website, you can see all the school Education Options, including charter schools: https://www.tn.gov/education/school-options.html
You may be interested in a free online training scheduled this month: “The Spectrum Experience and IEP Basics,” sponsored by Autism TN, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thurs., Aug. 19. Here are the details in the Pathfinder Community Events Calendar: https://www.tnpathfinder.org/view/event/3562/the-spectrum-experience-and-iep-basics-what-you-need-to-know/24
One thing the pandemic taught us was how handy online virtual resources can be. While your child is playing or sleeping this summer, you can be educating yourself about IDEA, FAPE, the IEP and many other aspects of your child’s education. Support and Training for Exceptional Parents (STEP) is a statewide nonprofit organization that brings many resources together for parents. One of their most popular trainings, and a good starting place for any parent of a special needs child, is their Basic Rights Workshop here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nB0-wDeIF_M. But it is not their only training. They have a great archived collection of Webinars, Videos and Virtual Trainings parked here: https://tnstep.org/webinars/
Another great nonprofit organization, The Arc TN has partnered with TDOE for the Family Engagement Project, and you can see their collaboration on this website: https://familyengagementtn.com/. You can find resources for parents (or teachers), and you can connect to an educational advocate in your area who can assist with your child’s IEP planning and team meeting.