FREDERICK COUNTY MARYLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Address: 191 South East Street
Frederick, MD 21701 Phone: (301) 644-5000 Website: http://www.fcps.org/

Frederick County is home to 66 schools, including 37 elementary schools, 13 middle schools, 10 high schools, 3 public charter schools, an alternative school, a special education school, and a Career and Technology Center. Plans are underway to add 2 more elementary schools in the next 3 years.

Through ongoing collaboration with our local and state stakeholders, including parents, staff and students, the Department of Special Education & Psychological Services serves FCPS by supporting systemic instructional programming focusing on eliminating the achievement gap, developing social competencies, nurturing independence, and preparing students with disabilities to become contributing members of a global society.
INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAMS (IEPS)

CHILD FIND SERVICES

Child Find is the process for locating, evaluating, and identifying all children from birth through age 21 with special needs, whether or not they are currently enrolled in Frederick County Public Schools.

Parents of school-aged children who suspect that their child may have an educational disability should contact their community’s school.

If the child is younger than five, contact FCPS Child Find at (301) 644-5292.

All special education service delivery and classrooms are non-categorical as dictated by Maryland regulations. Students identified with any handicapping condition may be served in any of these settings or programs, depending on the nature and severity of their individual needs and their individualized education program. These classrooms are characterized by a high level of diversity and individualization, and utilize a wide variety of materials, strategies, and instructional programs to address students’ learning styles and needs.

Every Frederick County public school has an Individualized Education Program team that ­determines a student’s eligibility for special education and related ­services. Each team develops IEPs for eligible students, determines services required to implement the plans and makes recommendations for the students’ programs and ­placements. Parents are invited and encouraged to participate in IEP team meetings. A ­separate county-level IEP team reviews cases that are referred by local schools whose existing staff and resources ­cannot meet ­students’ needs.