Special Education/EIS

All states and territories must provide early intervention services to children who have, or are at risk for having, developmental delays, from birth to their third birthday.

Most CONUS locations, local school districts or health departments provide these early intervention services. The program is called different names in different areas, but it is often referred to as Part C because that is the section of the law that pertains to early intervention. The Education Directory for Children with Special Needs has a list of resources specific to each state to help you determine who you should contact. Your installation EFMP Family Support provider can also answer your questions.

If you are moving OCONUS or to a CONUS location with a DODEA school (and you live on installation), your child will receive EIS through the Defense Department’s Educational and Developmental Intervention Services, or EDIS, program.

When moving, you should hand carry copies of your child's most current individual family service plan, or IFSP, and the most current evaluation reports to your new home to ensure they are not lost.

All states and territories provide special education and related services to eligible children between the ages of 3 through 21.

When a child transfers to a different district in the same state, the new school must provide a free, appropriate public education, including comparable services, until the previously held IEP is adopted or a new one is developed and implemented. When a child transfers to another state, the receiving school must provide comparable services until an IEP review can determine if a new evaluation or IEP is appropriate.

If you are moving and your child receives special education and related services, you should hand carry all necessary school and medical documents, including the most current IEP and current evaluation reports. Hand carrying these documents ensures that they are not lost and allows the new school to begin the process as soon as you arrive.

• Education Directory for Children with Special Needs
• EFMP & Me digital tool
• Individualized Education Program & Moving
• Special Needs Parent Toolkit
• Special Needs Resources
• Exceptional Family Member Program videos

Special Education programs are provided for children 3-21 years of age by Camden County Schools. Services are available for students facing a host of intellectual, physical and mental health exceptionalities.  The local education agency supports students requiring speech and language therapy, physical and occupational therapy, preschool special education and care for students who are hospital or homebound. Special programs and related services for students with exceptionalities are provided at no cost to the parents. The local School Liaison (kingsbayslo@navy.mil) works closely with local school districts to communicate military students' needs and facilitates the coordination of special education services.

Gifted Program

The "gifted” student is one who demonstrates a high degree of intellectual ability and who needs special instruction and/or special ancillary services in order to achieve at levels commensurate with his or her intellectual ability. Eligibility for "gifted" programing is determined by the Georgia Eligibility Criteria for Gifted Education Program. The Interstate Compact allows military children enrolled in accredited gifted programs, to be placed in gifted programs by the receiving school. However, the receiving school retains the right to test students in order to verify that the placement is in compliance with state standards.

For Grade Levels K-2 - 99th percentile (Mental Ability Test Score. For Grade Levels 3-12 - 99th percentile (Mental Ability Test Score); 85th percentile composite; 90th percentile total reading, including reading comprehension or total math (Achievement Test Score). For Grade Level K-12 - 99th percentile (Mental Ability Test Score).

In accordance with the regulations, programs for the intellectually gifted are provided for those students able to perform at or above designated levels on indicators such as standardized intelligence and achievement tests. As described above, students must achieve at least the 85th percentile or above composite score or 90th percentile or above on total reading or math on achievement tests. The mental ability test minimum criterion is the 96th percentile. Reliance on test data is necessary to assure that gifted program eligibility criteria are uniform statewide and that eligibility for the gifted program is reciprocal among local education agencies (school districts).

Referrals are usually made by classroom teachers; however, any responsible person who has knowledge of a student's intellectual functioning may make a referral.

Elementary gifted students attend gifted classes one day a week. Students attending Crooked River Elementary, Mary Lee Clark Elementary, and St. Mary's Elementary will attend gifted classes at St. Mary's Elementary. Students attending Woodbine Elementary, Matilda Harris Elementary, Kingsland Elementary, and David L. Rainer Elementary will attend gifted classes at Matilda Harris Elementary. Transportation is provided by the school system.

Middle and high School students attend class daily within their respective schools.

Title I Program

Title I is the federal program that provides funding to local school districts to improve the academic achievement of economically disadvantaged students. It is part of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act first passed in 1965.  Title I is one of the oldest and largest federal programs supporting elementary and secondary education in existence, and over 90% of the school systems in the United States receive some Title I funding as a supplements to state and local funds.

Local schools become eligible for this additional federal funding when more than __45.16_% of its students qualify for free or reduced lunch.  After a school is designated as a Title I school, any child attending that school is eligible to participate in the Title I activities.  Local school districts have the option to design Title I programs which best meets the needs of students.

Camden County Schools Title I program addresses student needs identified in the areas of reading/language arts and mathematics, at specified grade levels.  The activities provided with Title 1 funds are designed to provide continuous, comprehensive services throughout the school day.  The goal of each activity is to provide experiences to help students overcome deficiencies in basic learning skills.  Title 1 funds also support the hiring of additional school personnel, the purchase of specialized instructional materials, and the establishment of several types of learning centers – educational games, independent study, etc.