Special education serves about 11% of students ages 2-21 in Prince William County

Prince William County School division ‘s Special Education Department [SPED] supports students with special needs and encompasses students ages 2-21. The program varies among the students, and where they are placed depends on their Individual Education Plan [IEP].

The department’s mission, “Is to support schools as they provide an equal educational opportunity for all students in the least restrictive environment.” This ranges from an inclusion program, where students participate in the regular classroom to a self-contained small classroom.

Dr. Jane Lawson, Director of PWCS Special Education, explained, “Where students are placed depends on the area of disability and needs. We ask, ‘What does the child need to be successful in school?’  The child’s needs are determined by an IEP team, which determines where these needs can be best met.”

The Special Education Department services students in numerous areas including Autism, Deafness, Blindness, Developmental Delays, Emotional Disability, Hearing Impaired and Intellectual Disability as well as Specific Learning Disability, Orthopedic, Speech and Language Impairments.

The national average for students in Special Education is 12 per cent and PWCS has approximately 11 per cent of its students receiving some service through the department.

The County has a Child Find Program; one for Preschool Aged Students and one for School Aged Students.

The preschool program services children between the ages 2-5, but not eligible for kindergarten. 

The children are given developmental screening to determine if they are functioning at the appropriate age level in the areas of personal-social skills, adaptive-self-help skills, motor skills, communication skills and cognitive skills.

After the screening, an Intervention Team will examine the results and make recommendations.

The School-Aged Child Find Program serves students already enrolled in school.

If a parent is concerned, the first step is to contact the base school, which will set up an intervention plan and monitor the student.

If the team believes further evaluation is needed, with the consent of the parent, the child will be assessed and an Eligibility Group will determine if the student has special needs which require special education services.  The IEP Team will then develop a plan designed to meet the student’s needs.

Lawson said, “It has to be a team effort.” She believes parents are an integral part of their children’s education and invites the parents to be part of the IEP discussions.

Her department has numerous resources for parents including a Parent Resource Center located at the Kelly Learning Center [KLC].

Its stated goal, “Is to promote a positive relationship between parents and educators of children with special needs.” The resource center has a parent, of a child with special needs, as an Coordinator and an Education Coordinator.

In addition to the resource center the SPED department holds workshops for parents, has a monthly newsletter and lists special activities available for SPED students in the area. Upcoming workshops are Oct. 15, 22 & 29. See separate story below.

There is also a Special Education Advisory Council, which meets once a month at the KLC.

Lawson attributes the success of the Special Education in the County to the staff , its dedication and that of all the teachers working with the students.

As Director she enjoys going out to the schools and visiting the classrooms as she observes the teachers working with the students. She does miss being in the classroom and the personal interaction with the children. She said, “They are incredible, and I miss the personal connections with them.”

Further information about the SPED program in PWCS can be found at http://www.pwcs.edu , clicking on Departments, clicking on Student Learning and Accountability and then clicking on Special Education.  The phone number is 703-791-7200.