Frequently Asked Questions

What is Exceptional Education?

Special education is specially designed instruction provided to students who qualify for services under one of the 13 areas of eligibility according to the Alabama Administrative Code. Special education services may also include related and supplementary aids and services as appropriate that address the individualized needs of students. Related services are also available, as deemed appropriate by referral from the IEP team. Supplementary aids and services are additional accommodations and support available to assist students with disabilities.  In addition, assistive technology may be needed to provide supports needed for student to experience success.

What disabilities are served under Exceptional Education?

In Alabama, there are 13 areas of eligibility that include:

• Autism
• Deaf-Blindness
• Developmental Delay
• Emotional Disability
• Hearing Impairment
• Intellectual Disability
• Multiple Disabilities
• Other Health Impairment
• Orthopedic Impairment
• Specific Learning Disability
• Speech or Language Impairment
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Visual Impairment

I am concerned that my child may have a disability. How do I request an evaluation?

Please reach out to your child's teacher, school administrator, guidance counselor or contact our office at (256) 891-1183.

We are relocating to Albertville and have an IEP. How do we obtain services?

Prior to enrollment, you may contact the Exceptional Education Department at (256) 891-1183 for additional information about services Albertville City Schools provides. During enrollment, you may ask your school personnel about services and share any documentation you may have from a previous school district with the school so that services may be considered and established.

How is Exceptional Education availability determined?

Child Identification as outlined by the Alabama Administrative Code (AAC), includes CHILD FIND, Pre-referral Intervention Strategies in the General Education Class, Referral, Evaluations and Eligibility. Local Education Agency's (LEA's) serving children with disabilities must develop and implement procedures that ensure that all children within their jurisdiction, regardless of the severity of their disability, and who need special education and related services are identified, located, and evaluated. Child Find also applies to children with disabilities who attend private schools, including children attending religious schools, within the LEA's jurisdiction, highly mobile children with disabilities (e.g., migrant children), homeless children, or children who are wards of the State and children who are suspected of having a disability and are in need of special education, even though they have not failed, been retained in a course or grade or are advancing from grade to grade.

My child has been found eligible for services. What are the next steps in this process?

Written consent for services must be obtained following the determination of eligibility for special education. An Individualized Education Program (IEP) will be developed by a team that includes parents, a general educator, special educator and a representative of the local education agency (LEA representative). Other professionals may also be included as part of the team as appropriate to the child's needs. The school-based IEP team will work with the parents and student to develop goals that address the child's unique educational needs and allow him or her to access the general education curriculum.

I would like a copy of my child's Exceptional Education records. Who do I contact?

Please contact Special Education Director Candi McCullars by phone at (256) 891-1183 or by email at cmccullars@albertk12.org.

My child's doctor/therapist has provided a prescription for services. What is my next step?

Please share this information with your child's teacher and/or school administrator. Prescriptions alone do not dictate school-based services. They may be considered as part of the evaluation process. All students must meet Alabama Administrative Code criteria for school-based special education services.

My child was diagnosed outside the school system with a disability. Will ACS accept these results?

Please provide this information to your child's teacher and/or administrator. A meeting will be scheduled to review all the information and consider the results of an independent evaluation. Diagnostic criteria are different from eligibility for special education services (as determined by the Alabama Administrative Code). Therefore, even if pieces of the private evaluation are accepted, additional information may still be needed to meet State eligibility requirements.