IDEA

IDEA Compliance

In keeping with the mandate from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Rutherford County Schools (RCS) Special Education aims to provide the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) for all students. A continuum of services is available for each student based on the Individual Education Plan (IEP) team decision on the placement of those services. The focus is on giving each student the help he or she needs to learn.

Ensuring Education for Every Child

Rutherford County, in compliance with federal and state law, performs a countywide Child Find. Child Find uses screening to find students in both public school or private school located in the geographic region who may need special education services and supports.

There are two types of screening. The first is a general screening of preschool age children throughout the school year. These screenings are on-going and serve preschool-aged children. The other kind of screening is only for school-aged children. A child can be referred for screening by school personnel, the family and/or individuals in the county (physicians, childcare providers, etc.) This should be done any time it is suspected that a child has a disability.

Who can I call if I am concerned?

If your child is an infant or toddler under the age of 2.5 years, then contact Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS) at (615) 904-3636.

If your child is between the ages of three and five and you are a resident of Rutherford County Schools call the Special Education Department at (615) 893-5815.

If your child is enrolled in a Rutherford County school, report your concerns to your child’s principal and the principal will talk with you about the next steps of the Response to Instruction and Intervention process.

If your child is home-schooled or attending a private school in the geographic region of the Rutherford County Schools Special Education Department. The federal law of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires each school district to spend a proportionate amount of federal allocation for services for students with special needs enrolled by parents in home school or private school each year.

Disabilities Eligible for Service in Tennessee

Specific criteria for a special education eligibility is provided by IDEA and the Tennessee Department of Special Education. Visit the Tennessee Department of Education’s Special Education website for more information.