Georgia

Division for Special Education Services and Supports

Summary: The Georgia Department of Education developed a one page document which directs viewers to additional distance learning resources such as virtual supports and best practices.

Operated by: Georgia Department of Education

Topic: Distance Learning

Guidance on Restart and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Timelines

Summary: The Georgia Department of Education shares guidance and timelines for topics including state complaints, due process hearings, IEP, initial evaluations, eligibility determinations and reevaluations of special education services.

Operated by: Georgia Department of Education

Topic: Distance Learning, IEP

Guidance on Restart and Implementation for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

Summary: This guidance tool developed by the Georgia Department of Education provides schools and families answers to frequently asked questions regarding service provision during the COVID-19 pandemic including distance learning, IEPs and resources for families as they adapt to school changes.

Operated by: Georgia Department of Education

Topic: Distance Learning, Family Engagement, IEP

Online Support for Special Needs

Summary: Georgia provides a free course for educators preparing them to serve students with disabilities in the online format. This course describes individualized adjustments that instructors may make to create the best educational environment for students with disabilities.

Operated by: Georgia Department of Education

Topic: Distance Learning

Resiliency & Wellness: Resources for Students, Parents, and Educators during COVID-19

Summary: The goal of the Wellness Tool Kit is to provide information and resources to students, parents and educators in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. The resources contained in this toolbox have been specially selected to provide assistance for students as they return to school. The toolkit includes information on behavioral health and wellness, learning resources, parenting resources and activities for students.

Operated by: Georgia Department of Education

Topic: Family Engagement, Mental Health

Special Education Services Family Communication Document

Summary: Georgia provides a Q&A document discussing the effects of school closures on the IEP process and service provision. It describes contingency plans for special education services in the event of either in-person or virtual instruction, and it describes adjustments IEP teams should make to best provide educational services to students with disabilities.

Operated by: Georgia Department of Education

Topic: Distance Learning, IEP

Special Education Technical Assistance COVID-19 School Closures

Summary: This informational document includes information on distance learning practices, including best distance learning practices and information helping education providers determine whether students with disabilities should return to school or continue distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also highlights both state-level and national resources for distance learning. Finally, it includes information for IEP providers regarding whether they should consider and how they should provide extended school-year services to students with disabilities.

Operated by: Georgia Department of Education

Topic: Distance Learning, IEP

Resources for Distance/Remote Learning

Summary: This web page provides a number of resources for youth with disabilities who choose to continue to receive distance or remote learning educational services. It engages families in their child’s education by providing disability-related educational standards for at home learning. It also discusses “co-teaching”, in which the parent takes an active role as a participant in the teaching process. This web page provides information on virtual IEP meetings, as well as additional requirements for IEP providers. Finally, this document provides requirements for communicating with parents of students with disabilities during remote instruction, as well as discussions of extended school year services for qualifying students with disabilities. 

Operated by: Georgia Department of Education

Topic: Distance Learning, IEP, Family Engagement

Georgia’s K-12 Restart Working Group: Mental Health and Wellness

Summary: This document discusses best practices for educators providing mental health support during the COVID-19 pandemic. This support includes advice for both in-person and remote instruction, as well as various links and resources for Georgia educators, parents, and students. 

Operated by: Georgia Department of Education

Topic: Mental Health, Telehealth

Teaching Students with Disabilities

Summary: This online course is free to all Georgia educators, and it teaches them new best practices to help students with disabilities when distance learning. This is included in a series of courses, some of which also focus on teaching students with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Operated by: Georgia Department of Education

Topic: Distance Learning

Georgia Academy for the Blind Reopening Plan

Summary: This document provides best practices for both in-person and distance learning instruction for students attending the Georgia Academy for the Blind during the COVID-19 pandemic. It includes a section providing best practices for distance learning. It also notes requirements for the provision of mobile devices that accommodate the needs of students with blindness. The instructions discuss procedures for family participation in distance learning, placing stringent requirements on family participation. Finally, the document discusses IEP adjustments due to COVID-19 and IEP monitoring adjustments. 

Operated by: Georgia Academy for the Blind

Topic: Assistive Technology, Family Engagement, IEP, Distance Learning

Restart Guidance on “Change of Placement” versus “Change of Location”

Summary: This document discusses adjustments to IEPs as the COVID-19 pandemic progresses. It discusses IEP team meeting and legal procedures to change IEPs based on students’ needs of distance, hybrid, or in-person instruction, as well as potential changes of location of instruction. 

Operated by: Georgia Department of Education

Topic: IEP

Compensatory Services Determination Process

Summary: This document provides guidance for IEP services providers adjusting IEPs due to a return to in-person instruction. It specifically discusses the process by which IEP providers should determine whether to include compensatory education services on a student’s IEP.

Operated by: Georgia Department of Education

Topic: IEP

Reopening Checklist for Special Education

Summary: This document provides resources for updating IEP plans, preparing special education service providers and instructors for distance learning, and implementing IEP plans. Notably, the document includes both state and federal resources. 

Operated by: Georgia Department of Education

Topic: IEP, Distance Learning

Best Practice Guidance for Support Personnel

Summary: This document discusses the comprehensive IEP evaluation process for Georgia special education service providers during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also requires comprehensive service provision for students with disabilities over a virtual format, such as occupational rehabilitation and related IEP services. 

Operated by: Georgia Department of Education

Topic: IEP, Distance Learning

Quick Tips for a Successful Virtual IEP Team Meeting

Summary: This document provides advice for parents and service providers preparing to attend a virtual IEP meeting during the COVID-19 pandemic. It includes considerations before, during, and after meetings to ensure the adequate amount of service provision for students with disabilities

Operated by: Georgia Department of Education

Topic: IEP

Virtual Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team Meeting Checklist

Summary: This document provides step by step instructions for special education service providers preparing to attend a virtual IEP meeting during the COVID-19 pandemic. It includes considerations before, during, and after meetings to ensure the adequate amount of service provision for students with disabilities

Operated by: Georgia Department of Education

Topic: IEP

Tips for Parents Attending Virtual IEP Meetings

Summary: This document lists additional considerations for parents preparing to attend a virtual IEP meeting during the COVID-19 pandemic. It includes advice for meeting preparedness, necessary technological advice, meeting expectations, internet requirements, and post-IEP meeting contact information. 

Operated by: Georgia Department of Education

Topic: IEP