Special Education Services

Smyth County Public Schools

Smyth County Public Schools is committed to identifying, locating, and evaluating all children who may be in need of Special Education or related services. Services are provided in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Section 504 Services

Section 504 is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities. It ensures that students with disabilities have equal access to education and school programs.

A student may qualify for Section 504 if they have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Eligible students may receive accommodations and modifications to support their educational success.

Each school has a 504 Coordinator who leads a team responsible for:

• Reviewing student information
  
  

• Determining eligibility
  
  

• Developing and monitoring Section 504 plans
  
  

If you have concerns about your child and Section 504 services, please contact your child’s school principal, and your concerns will be shared with the appropriate team.

Child Find Program

Child Find is a federally mandated program designed to identify children from birth through age 21 who may have disabilities and are not currently receiving Special Education services.

Anyone who suspects a child may have a disability is encouraged to contact:

• The principal at the child’s school, or
  
  

• Steve Blevins, Director of Special Education, at the Smyth County School Board Office
  
  

Referral for Special Education

Referrals for Special Education evaluations may be made by parents, guardians, teachers, or other concerned individuals.

• Public school students: Contact the school principal
  
  

• Private school or homeschool students: Contact the Director of Special Education
  
  

The Referral Process

1. Notify the school principal or Director of Special Education of concerns
   
   

2. A school-based team meets to review concerns and request parental consent if evaluations are needed
   
   

3. Evaluations and reports are completed
   
   

4. A meeting is held to review evaluation data and determine eligibility
   
   

5. If eligible, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) is developed and services begin
   
   

Individualized Education Program (IEP)

An IEP is a written plan that outlines:

• Specialized instruction and services
  
  

• Accommodations and modifications
  
  

• Service locations
  
  

• Educational goals
  
  

IEPs are reviewed and updated annually to ensure students receive a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE).

Service Delivery Options

Special Education services are provided in the least restrictive environment appropriate for each student. Service models may include:

• Self-contained classrooms
  
  

• Learning resource (pull-out) services
  
  

• Inclusion services within the general education classroom
  
  

• Related services such as evaluations and speech therapy
  
  

Certain services may also be available to students in private schools or homeschool programs.

Preschool Special Education Services

For children ages 2 through 4, services may be provided through:

• Home-based programs
  
  

• School-based therapy appointments
  
  

• Daycare settings
  
  

• School-based classrooms, when more intensive services are needed
  
  

To make a preschool referral, contact the Director of Special Education at the Smyth County School Board Office.

Identified Disabilities

Virginia recognizes the following disability categories for Special Education eligibility:

• Autism
  
  

• Deaf-Blindness
  
  

• Deafness
  
  

• Developmental Delay
  
  

• Emotional Disability
  
  

• Hearing Impairment
  
  

• Intellectual Disability
  
  

• Multiple Disabilities
  
  

• Orthopedic Impairment
  
  

• Other Health Impairment
  
  

• Specific Learning Disability
  
  

• Speech or Language Impairment
  
  

• Traumatic Brain Injury
  
  

• Visual Impairment
  
  

Special Education Staff

• Dr. Brad Haga, Superintendent
  
  

• Steve Blevins, Director of Special Education
  
  

• Julie P. Rhudy, School Psychologist
  
  

• Kelsey Blevins Parks, School Psychologist
  
  

• Kayla Woods, Administrative Assistant
  
  

• Kasey Salyers, School Social Worker
  
  

School Contacts

Each school principal serves as a primary contact for Special Education and Section 504 concerns.
📞 Please refer to your child’s school for direct contact information.

Contact Information

Smyth County Public Schools
121 Bagley Circle, Suite 300
Marion, VA 24354

📞 Phone: (276) 783-3791
📠 Fax: (276) 783-3291
🌐 Website: www.scsb.org