Special Education
Click below for our Administration, Instructional, and
Community Resources.
Vision:
We believe that all children realize their full potential in instructional environments that acknowledge and respond to individual needs.
Mission Statement:
HCPS Department of Special Education is dedicated to providing a continuum of supports and resources that enable students to achieve their potential.
Strategic Goals for Department of Special Education:
- Communication -
To increase effective communication among HCPS personnel, families and community
partners using a variety of strategies in order to build and sustain collaborative,
productive relationships.
- Instruction - To build the capacity of HCPS personnel to provide a full continuum of effective
and diverse instruction utilizing interventions, services, and supports for students
with disabilities in the least restrictive environment.
- Compliance - To expand the knowledge and skills of HCPS personnel related to the processes and
procedures aligned with federal, state and local guidelines in order to enhance
the effective implementation of IDEA.
Special Education services for students with disabilities are based on students'
Individual Education Programs (IEPs) and are designed to complement the general
education curriculum. The alignment of IEP goals and benchmarks with the general
education content standards supports the students' participation in the Maryland
State Assessment programs. The IEP guides the implementation of modifications and
accommodations utilized to enable the students to access the general education
curriculum.
Special Education services are available for all students ages birth through 21,
as appropriate. There is a full continuum of services to meet the needs of students
with educational disabilities in the least restrictive environment. These services
are provided in all the community schools. The needs of the students with the most
severe disabilities may be met at
John Archer School.
HCPS provides itinerant services in the following areas:
Does your Child Need Special Education Services?
CHILD FIND is a special education service provided by the Harford County Public Schools to identify children who live in
Harford County, from ages three through 21 years who are suspected of having an educational disability and who
may be eligible for special education and related services. Children ages birth to 3 can access a variety of services to meet their individual needs through Harford County Infants and Toddlers Program.
Click here for more information about the Child Find Program
All services are provided in accordance with the students' Individualized Educational Program (IEP)'s to assist the student to benefit from the specially designed instructional program.
Addressing the Needs of All Learners
As a condition of the reauthorized Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004), Harford County Public Schools must collect, examine and report data to determine if significant disproportionality based on race and ethnicity is occurring in the State and the local educational agencies of the states.
Data is collected with respect to:
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The identification of children as children with disabilities, including the identification of children as children with disabilities in accordance with a particular impairment described in § 300.646(a) (1);
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The placement in particular educational setting of such children § 300.646(a) (2); and
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The incidence, duration, and type of disciplinary actions, including suspensions and expulsions § 300.646(a) (3).
How do I contact the Special Education Department?
Office of Special Education:
102 South Hickory Avenue
Bel Air, MD 21014
Phone: (410) 588-5246
Directions:
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Special Education Director:
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