Continuum of Services
The Garrett County Public School System, Department of Special Education, provides for a continuum of special education services and placement considerations for all students with disabilities. Services and placements range from indirect services to non-public services.
All decisions regarding the placement of a child with a disability in a special education service delivery model will be made by an Individualized Education Program Team in consultation with the parents or guardians of the child and consistent with the least restrictive environmental requirements of the Federal Individuals with Disabilities Act.
Service Delivery Models
Indirect service can accomplish the following:
- Provide the general educator with guidance from the special education teacher on appropriate strategies for instruction, behavior management, data collection, observation, and feedback in the general education setting.
- Assistance in completing functional behavioral assessment (FBA) and developing and implementing a behavioral intervention plan (BIP) to address areas of concern.
Some students may need more supports and services in order to access the general curriculum but are still able to learn in the general education setting. Services delivered within the general education classroom can provide the following:
- Direct special education instruction within the general education classroom through collaborative co-teaching models.
- Direct support for individual students by the special education teacher or instructional assistant by making adaptations or modifications to the general education curriculum and assessments.
- Individualized or small group instruction to meet the academic and behavior needs of the student, either within the general education classroom or outside the general education classroom for specific skill development.
If the student’s academic or emotional needs have a significant impact on his or her ability to learn in the general education environment, the individualized education program (IEP) team may determine that the student requires a more restrictive learning environment. Direct service outside the general education classroom in the student’s home school can provide the student with the following:
- Direct intensive specialized instruction utilizing specialized strategies and techniques in a small group, self-contained environment with an alternative curriculum when necessary.
- More specific skill training in remediating academic skill deficits or in the social, emotional, and behavioral areas.
Students may receive direct service in both the general education and special education classrooms.
A limited number of elementary students may need a regional program within a comprehensive school. Accident Elementary and Yough Glades Elementary serve as our elementary regional programs for students with disabilities that require a specialized program in addition to more intensive supports in accordance with the IEP of the student.
For those students whose educational needs require services beyond those of the county’s programs, Garrett County Public Schools utilizes the Maryland State Department of Education approved nonpublic schools. The nature and severity of the student’s disability, which significantly impacts educational performance, may necessitate more intensive resources and may require a more therapeutically segregated setting in order for a student to receive an appropriate educational program.
Additional information regarding the continuum of services may be obtained from the GCPS Office of Special Education, 301-334-7655.
Programs
Infants and Toddlers
Provides special education services for children with disabilities in their natural environment.
Preschool Services
Providing special education services for children with disabilities, ages 3-5, in the home, daycare center, head start centers, and school-based programs.
Alternative Learning Outcomes (ALO)
A K-12 program at the regional elementary schools and both middle and high schools for students with significant cognitive disabilities who are working on an alternative curriculum.
Students Taking Active Responsibility for Success (STARS)
Students Taking Active Responsibility for Success, or STARS, is a behavior intervention classroom for students in Garrett County Public Schools. STARS provides students with individualized academic and behavioral programming. Students are referred to STARS because of chronic or severe challenging behavior that was resistant to less intensive and less restrictive interventions. STARS encourages student responsibility, family involvement, and restoration to the larger school community.
