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Special Education

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Special Education


Welcome to the Cobb County School District Special Education website.  It is our hope, on this page, you will find the information you are looking for concerning students with disabilities. If you are a parent of a student with a disability, please see the link below to our Parent Mentors’ page for additional information and resources.


Families of Students with Disabilities
in Private or Home School



IDEA Equitable Services Timely and Meaningful Consultation for Students with Disabilities attending Private (Non-Profit) and Home School: Ongoing Consultation for the 2023-2024 school year and Initial Consultation for the 2024-2025 School Year.


We are continuing to engage in our ongoing IDEA Timely and Meaningful Consultation process. We are seeking input as we begin to plan for the 2024-2025 school year. You may share your feedback and confirm your interest and possible participation in IDEA Equitable Services by completing a brief survey. You may access the survey through the QR code below. Please reach out to Teresa.Vento@cobbk12.org if you have any issues with the link or if you would prefer a paper copy of the survey.

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Based on ongoing IDEA timely and meaningful consultation feedback, the district will continue to offer speech and language services through services plans to eligible students with disabilities attending non-profit private school and homeschool during the 2023-2024 school year.

In addition to speech and language services, we have a limited number of Core 5 and Power-Up web-based subscriptions from Lexia Learning Systems for eligible students with disabilities in private and home school. You may learn more about these reading resources by visiting:

https://www.lexialearning.com/core5 (PK-5th grade)

https://www.lexialearning.com/powerup (Grades 6th-12th)

If you would like to discuss how you can access speech services and/or the online reading resources for eligible private or homeschool students with disabilities, or want more information about IDEA Equitable Services, please reach out to Teresa.Vento@cobbk12.org

If you suspect that your child has a disability and would like to make a referral to determine your child’s eligibility for special education services, you may contact the Office of Student Assistance Programs at (678) 581-6803.


George Morgan, Director
Special Education
770-426-3309 | Email


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Mr. Morgan serves as the Director of Special Education for the Cobb County School District. Mr. Morgan has worked in education for over fifteen years and has served in a variety of roles within the district. Mr. Morgan began his career as a middle school teacher at Haven Academy and has supported students with a variety of exceptionalities over the course of his career. In addition to serving as a middle school teacher, Mr. Morgan has served as an Assistant Director of Special Education for CCSD, an Administrator at Hillgrove High School, a Special Education Cluster Supervisor and an Education Program Specialist. Mr. Morgan continues to serve as a champion for students with disabilities within the district and is excited about the opportunity to serve the community in this capacity.


Carla Canington
Secretary
770-426-3309 | Email



 

Lisa Briley, Assistant Director
Special Education
770-426-3328 | Email

Click here: SSA School Assignments Mrs. Briley Supports




Lisa Briley serves as an Assistant Director of Special Education for the Cobb County School District. Mrs. Briley has worked in the area of Special Education throughout her career.  She has worked as a teacher for students with disabilities in a range of classroom settings from Special Needs Preschool through high school.  In addition to  her role as a classroom teacher for Cobb County Schools, Mrs. Briley has served as a Special Education Lead Teacher, Education Program Specialist, Cluster Supervisor, and Support and Service Administrator.  With a student-centered focus, she is passionate about collaborating with all stakeholders to promote  the success for all students.


Holley Ashworth
Secretary
770-426-3328 | Email



 

Sandra Murray, Assistant Director
Special Education
770-426-3328 | Email

Click here: SSA School Assignments Ms. Murray Supports




Sandra Murray  serves as an Assistant Director of Special Education for the Cobb County School District. Sandra has experience in supporting students with disabilities at the school and district level. She has served the Cobb County School District in the roles of Classroom Teacher, Intellectual Disabilities Trainer, Support Specialist, Supervisor of Special Education Compliance, and Special Education Program Supervisor. Sandra is passionate about supporting teams to create positive learning environments that foster student engagement, utilizing effective instructional strategies, and supporting the social and emotional development of all students.


Holley Ashworth
Secretary
770-426-3328 | Email



 

Stephanie Smith, Assistant Director
Special Education
770-426-3328 | Email

Click here: SSA School Assignments Ms. Smith Supports




Ms. Smith serves as an Assistant Director of Special Education for the Cobb County School District. She has worked in education supporting students at both the local school level and district level for 17 years in the capacity of a general education teacher, special education teacher, behavior specialists, and special education program supervisor. Throughout her educational career, Ms. Smith has supported students with a variety of exceptionalities including emotional behavioral disorders, intellectual disabilities, and autism. Ms. Smith is dedicated to supporting all stakeholders in meeting the cognitive, social, emotional, and behavioral needs of all students.


Holley Ashworth
Secretary
770-426-3328 | Email



Jessica Coleman, Executive Director
Special Education Compliance
770-426-3417 | Email


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Jessica has 19 years of experience in the field of education. Her experience includes teaching in a small group classroom and providing support from a District level as an Autism Trainer, Education Program Specialist, Supervisor, Assistant Director, Director and now currently as an Executive Director. Jessica earned a Bachelors degree in Business Administration and Special Education and also has a Masters and Specialists degree in Educational Leadership.


Chandra Borden
Secretary
770-426-3417 | Email



 

Dawn Harrell, Ed.D, Assistant Director
Special Education Compliance
770-819-2584 | Email




Dawn Harrell serves as an Assistant Director of Special Education Compliance for Cobb County School District. With over 18 years of experience in the area of Special Education, Dr. Harrell has enjoyed engaging with students with varying degrees of ability. In addition to fostering positive relationships, Dr. Harrell believes in being student-focused and working collaboratively with all stakeholders.

 

Kelli Kimbrell, Assistant Director
Special Education Compliance
770-426-3417 | Email




Kelli Kimbrell serves as the Assistant Director of Special Education Compliance.  Prior to working in the field of education, she worked with adults with disaiblities in various capacities which included the area of supported employment.  As an educator, she has over 20 years of experience in the area of Special Education.  Over the course of her career, she has taught students with a variety of exceptionalities at all grade levels.  Additionally, she has served as a leader in mutliple capacities within the Cobb County School District.


Chandra Borden
Secretary
770-426-3417 | Email



 

Special Education Programs

 

504 & Homebased Program


Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Orthopedically Impaired, Vision Impaired


Adapted Physical Education, Autism, Emotional Behavioral Disorder, Intellectual Disability and Transition Services


Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Special Education Nursing


Parent Mentors


Preschool


Specialized Teaching & Learning and Assistive Technology


Speech & Language


Transition Program / SETS Program

 

 

Records and Transcripts

 

Special Education Records Room
514 Glover Street Marietta, Georgia 30060
Fax: 678.594.8630

Click here: JR-3 Parent/Guardian Request for Special Education Records 

Click here: Special Education Records Room Clerk Contact By School


Anne Moore
Special Education Records Clerk
770-426-3599 | Email


Pam Polk
Special Education Records Clerk
770-514-3874 | Email


Please use these helpful FAQs below to find the information you require


 

Who is my local school Special Education contact person? SSA-Support and Service Administrator?

 

Each school is assigned a special education Support and Services Administrator also known as the SSA.  This person is your special education contact at your local school. See below for a list of SSAs for each school.

SSA Assignments by School

 

Where can I find information about special education eligibility categories?

 
The Georgia Department of Education, Special Education Services and Supports, recognizes 12 categories of eligibility for students with disabilities.  Click below for categories and information pertaining to them.

Ga. DOE Eligibility Categories

 

Where can I find more information about special education rules?

 
You can find information from the GA DOE here.
 

How do I find out about funds for special needs scholarships?

 
The state of Georgia has a Georgia’s Special Needs Scholarship Program which is also referred to as SNSP or Senate Bill 10 funds (SB 10). For information about the Special Needs Scholarship Program, click here.
 

How can I have special education questions answered in my native language?

 
The International Welcome Center can assist you with obtaining information in your native language.

Click here

 

How do I get my student evaluated?

 
Contact the Support and Services Administrator that is assigned to your child’s school who will work with you to address your question(s) regarding an evaluation.

SSA List is provided at the top of this page

 

Who do I contact with questions about Special Education Transportation?

 
The need for special education transportation is determined by your child’s IEP team. If special education transportation is indicated, it will be coordinated by the case manager. Please contact your child’s case manager or the Support & Services Administrator at your school with any transportation issues (i.e. moving, change in pick up/drop off location). Transportation changes may take up to 10 days to process.

If you have questions regarding your student’s special education transportation, Click HERE to access the special education transportation website.

 

What is a Facilitated IEP Team Meeting and how do I request one?

 
A Facilitated IEP Team Meeting (FIEP) is an optional process, not required by the IDEA, that state educational agencies (SEA) or school districts may provide to parents and schools.  A Facilitated IEP Team Meeting, lead by a facilitator, is designed to be a collaborative dispute prevention and resolution process used when members of an IEP team agree that the presence of a third party would help facilitate communication and problem solving.  IEP Facilitators can be useful in various ways, including when there is a history of communication challenges or a meeting is expected to be particularly complex or controversial.

A Facilitated IEP Team Meeting is the same as any other IEP team meeting, except that a facilitator from the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) joins the meeting.  The facilitator helps with communication among team members, and does not make decisions about the student’s IEP. The goal of a Facilitated IEP Team Meeting is to develop an IEP that is supported by team members and benefits the student.

In a facilitated IEP Team meeting:

  • Families and schools agree to have a facilitator join an IEP Team meeting.
  • Facilitators maintain open communication and ensure that everyone at the IEP Team meeting can participate fully.
  • If disagreements arise during the meeting, a facilitator can help the Team clarify and resolve them.
  • The facilitator typically does not address issues that are not related to the student’s IEP.

Who can request a Facilitated IEP Team Meeting?

  • Any parent whose child is in a Georgia school district participating in the GaDOE’s FIEP Team Meeting program, which includes the Cobb County School District

How do I request a FIEP?

  • Submit a completed request form to the GaDOE
  • For a request form, CLICK HERE

Why would I request a FIEP?

  • To have a trained facilitator from the Georgia DOE create an environment in which the IEP Team members can listen to each others’ point of view and work together to create a quality, student-focused IEP

Click below for additional information pertaining to the Facilitated IEP Team Meeting process.

Facilitated IEP (FIEP) Request Form

IEP Facilitation Parent Guide

FIEP Promotional Flyer

FIEP Promotional Flyer – Spanish

 

What are the high schools graduation requirements for students with significant cognitive disabilities?

 

The graduation requirements have been established by the Cobb County Board of Education and can be found in Board Policy IHF-R: Graduation Requirements.

For the Board Policy, click here.

 

What are the Special Education Abbreviations, Acronyms and Terminology?

 
Special Education Abbreviations, Acronyms and Terminology
 

District Administrative Rule JBCD-R Transfers

 
Click Here For More Information about Administrative Rule JBCD-R Transfers
 

How to obtain a copy of your diploma.

 
Obtain a Copy of Your Diploma
 

DIDN’T FIND YOUR ANSWER?  CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION.