If you have concerns regarding your preschool aged child’s development and/or educational progress you may contact the Early Child Find office at (865) 594-1530.

Early Child Find Referral

If you have concerns about your child’s educational progress, believe your child may have a disability, or believe your child may be intellectually gifted, the first step is to request a student support team (S-Team) meeting. This request should be made to your school principal and teacher.  At the S-Team meeting, the team will discuss any necessary interventions or evaluations.  If written permission is obtained from the parent for an evaluation, it must be completed within 60 calendar days.

Learn more about SPED 

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law that helps make sure students with disabilities or suspected disabilities get the support they need at school. This law says that schools must give parents a written notice that explains your rights and protections—called "procedural safeguards"—if your child has a disability or might have one. These rights are there to help you be informed and involved in decisions about your child’s education.

 Procedural Safeguards

If the child’s parents are divorced or separated, the school is responsible for telling both parents about all meetings and parental rights regardless of who the child lives with, unless the custody agreement stipulates otherwise.

More Info from TNDOE

In Tennessee, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a legally required document that outlines the special education services and supports a student with a disability will receive. The purpose of the IEP is to help the student access and make progress in the general education curriculum while also receiving any required specially designed instruction.  The IEP is developed collaboratively by a team that includes the student’s parents, teachers, and other appropriate school staff. This plan is reviewed and updated at least once a year to ensure it continues to meet the student’s unique needs.

IEP Process

The IEP team is made up of parents, at least one regular education teacher, special education teacher, school/district representative (known as LEA).

Other members might include an evaluation results intrepretor, related-services personnel (physical therapist, speech pathologist, etc.), and other invited parties. This could be students, legal representatives, or other individuals with relevant knowledge of the student.

The Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) for students with disabilities means they should be educated alongside their non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate. This means that special education services should be provided in the general education classroom whenever possible, with supplementary aids and support as needed to ensure the student's success. The LRE is determined on an individual basis, considering the student's unique needs and circumstances, and should be reviewed and adjusted as needed throughout the school year.