Special Education

Child Find is a statewide program that is sponsored by the state Department of Education’s Division of Rehabilitation Services, Early Intervention and the Division of Special Education Services. Child Find is an effort by the department to locate, identify and evaluate individuals from birth to age 21 who have disabilities or who are suspected of having disabilities.

Alabama makes the Child Find program available statewide in order to meet federal requirements governing services for individuals with disabilities. The Division of Special Education Services and Early Intervention works closely with community service providers and local school systems to locate individuals with disabilities.

Anyone may call for referral information or to find out about available resources via the toll-free Child Find number 1-800-543-3098 or by calling Patrick Reed at 334-774-2355 ext. 8.           

Gifted students are those who perform or who have demonstrated the potential to perform at high levels in academic or creative fields when compared with others of their age, experience, or environment.  These children and youth require services not ordinarily provided by the regular school program.  Children and youth possessing these abilities can be found in all populations, across all economic strata, and in all areas of human endeavor.

A student may be referred by teachers, counselors, administrators, parents, or guardians, peers, self, or any other individuals with knowledge of the student's abilities. Additionally, all second grade students will be observed as potential gifted referrals using a gifted behavior check list. 

For each student, information is gathered in the following three areas:

1.  Aptitude.  Assessed through an individual or group test of intelligence or creativity;

2.  Characteristics.  A behavior rating scare designed to assess gifted behaviors is completed by a classroom teacher.

3.  Performance.  At least three indicators of performance at a gifted level such as achievement test scores, grades, products, work samples, and/or portfolios.

The scores from the assessments/items used are entered on a matrix where points are assigned according to established criteria.  The total number of points earned determines if the student qualifies for gifted services.

For more information contact Patrick Reed at 334-774-2355 ext. 8.

Dale County Schools Special Education Department intends to destroy special education records of former students who graduated, completed their school program, transferred, or withdrew from Dale County Schools on or before May 2018. 

In accordance with federal and state laws, special education records are maintained for five years after the student exits the special education program, graduates, transfers, or withdraws from Dale County Schools. In accordance with State of Alabama Special Education guidelines, special education records that are not claimed by August 31, 2023 will be destroyed. If you would like to claim these records, please contact Patrick Reed at 334-774-2355 ext. 8 before August 31, 2023. Identification and a signed release of information form will be required prior to the release of any Special Education records.