Children Birth to Age 3

AACPS Infants and Toddlers Program is a countywide system of coordinated, interagency and multidisciplinary early intervention services. Parents, medical personnel, or other concerned individuals may make a referral. Evaluations are completed to determine if the child is eligible for early intervention services.

Children Ages 3-5

The Preschool Child Find Team is an interdisciplinary team that provides identification services to children from three to five years of age who are may have a disability.

Parents, medical personnel, or other concerned individuals may make a referral. If the IEP team suspects that the child has a disability after reviewing all screening information, assessments in all areas related to the suspected disability are recommended.

Upon parental approval, the recommended assessments are conducted by the school-based staff and reviewed by the IEP team at an IEP team meeting. For those children eligible for services, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Extended Individual Family Service Plan (Extended IFSP) is developed. The IEP team reviews the IEP/Extended IFSP, identifies services needed to implement the IEP/Extended IFSP, and considers options for the provision of services in the least restrictive environment.

School-Age Students (Grades K-12)

A student who is suspected of having a disability is referred to the IEP team.  The IEP team meets to review the referral and existing data, information from the parent, previously implemented instructional interventions and strategies, current classroom-based assessments and observations.  Based on this information, the IEP team shall determine the need for assessment.

If assessments are recommended, the school staff obtains permission and the recommended assessments are conducted by the school-based staff and reviewed by the IEP team at an IEP team meeting. For those children eligible for services, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) is developed.  The IEP team reviews the IEP, identifies services needed to implement the IEP, and considers options for the provision of services in the least restrictive environment.

Note: If a parent has an educational concern and/or believes their child may have a disability, please contact your school’s administrator.

Private/Parochial:  If there is a concern or belief that a school-age child who attends a private or religiously affiliated school in Anne Arundel County may have a disability, contact the Compliance Office Technician at 410 222-5479.

Service Continuum:  The Anne Arundel County School System provides a continuum of services ranging from consultation and general education programming to specialty classes, regional programs and separate public and private (approved nonpublic) school placements. Each elementary, middle, and high school in Anne Arundel County provides special education and related services for students who are identified as eligible for services.