Extended School Year (ESY) - Assessment Webinar

The ESY team has been busy this summer providing services to approximately 4,673 students across 21 sites throughout FCPS.  As we wind down from ESY, we are gearing up for the implementation of the new Virginia Alternate Assessment Program (VAAP) Participation Decision-Making Tool. 

Our team will be hosting two webinar information sessions for parents who have children accessing adapted curriculum or want to learn more about VAAP participation. The webinar will include background information regarding changes in the VAAP Participation Criteria Form, as well as information on the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team's implementation of the new tool.  

Sessions will take place on Wednesday, September 8, 6:30-8 p.m. and Thursday, September 19, 10-11:30 a.m. Register in advance. 

Cardinal Care: Free Health Coverage for Kids

The Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) started its 23rd annual Back to School campaign and wants families to know about Virginia’s free health coverage through Cardinal Care (Virginia Medicaid and FAMIS programs). Children in a family of four with an annual income up to $63,960 may qualify for Cardinal Care. Coverage for kids include annual well checkups, prescription drugs, doctor visits, dental care, behavioral healthcare, vision care and much more! Parents and guardians may also qualify for Cardinal Care. 

Find out more information about Cardinal Care in English, Spanish, Arabic, Amharic, Urdu or Vietnamese. 

Accessibility in FCPS 

The Accessibility in FCPS team has been busy this summer preparing our 2024-25 digital accessibility campaign: FCPS Keep C.A.L.M. and Choose Accessible Learning Materials. It is a cross-departmental campaign to help ensure digital accessibility for all learners and to support the division-wide commitment to Universal Design for Learning. 

We're excited to announce that this year, we will focus on practical ways educators can "keep C.A.L.M." and include all learners through the use of accessible text. Weekly updates to instructional staff will include tips and tricks for making engaging accessible materials, AI tools to increase accessibility, input from students, and more. Families are welcome to join the campaign on X (Formerly Twitter) by following us @accessible_fcps. 

Credit Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

Students with disabilities may earn verified credits to graduate with a standard diploma through credit accommodations. Special Permission Locally Awarded Verified Credit (SPLAVC) is a credit accommodation that allows local school boards to award verified credits in reading, writing, mathematics, science, and history/social studies to certain students with disabilities who score below 375 on the SOL test, after taking the test at least once. This accommodation is available for students with disabilities who:

1. Have an IEP or 504 Plan;
2. Have a documented disability that presents unique or significant challenge in demonstrating knowledge of the course on SOL using available accommodations;
3. Passed the course (academic content) with non-modified curriculum;
4. Have taken the SOL at least once and scored below 375; and
5. Show that they have learned the content through a local appeal process. 

Parents and students should work together with their school to decide whether to request a special permission credit accommodation. This decision should be made through the IEP or 504 team meeting.  Schools will need to complete and email a Special Permission Credit Accommodation form to [email protected] for each student who might get a locally awarded verified credit if their SOL test score is below 375.

Find out more information on this SPLAVC one-pager or at the VDOE Credit Accommodations for Students with Disabilities webpage. 

FCPS Therapy Services: Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech-Language Pathology

Learn more about FCPS therapy services – including Physical Therapy (PT), Occupational Therapy (OT), and Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) – within the educational environment.  View this video presentation where they delve into the roles of therapy services in schools, how related services support student access, participation, success, and make connections with activities for the home environment.

Special Education Teacher Support Program

The Special Education Teacher Support (SETS) program has been busy this summer getting ready for the Great Beginnings Summer Institute (GBSI). We're excited to welcome over 200 of  our new special education teachers and share important knowledge to help them have a successful school year. 

The SETS program facilitated training sessions for the staff development day on August 14th for new special education teachers and paraprofessionals. Additionally, the SETS program has supported many other countywide events, such as the K-6 Literacy Institute, the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) Summit, FCPS job fairs, and special education information sessions. We look forward to supporting all of our special educators, new or veteran this year!

Adapted Physical Education

Adapted physical education (APE) is a special education service aligned to the general physical education education grade-level curriculum content standards. The service focuses on ensuring students have access to the curriculum and accelerates toward the grade-level curricular standards. 

Services are delivered by general physical education teachers with the support of adapted physical education itinerant teachers to ensure specially designed instruction is provided to those students with the service documented on their individualized education program (IEP). At the secondary level, students receiving their adapted physical education service outside the general education setting will be provided the service by a school-based adapted physical educator. 

Services are provided in different ways and settings that are determined by data-based IEP team discussions. If a student, parent or IEP team member has concerns regarding a student’s ability to make progress in physical education as a result of a disability; they should contact the special education case manager to schedule a meeting with the adapted physical education itinerant present. 

Our program is excited to support the healthy development of students with APE services with the goal of engaging in community recreation and leisure activities with maximum independence. 

Assistive Technology Services

Assistive Technology Services (ATS) is part of the Office of Special Education Instruction within the Department of Special Services. Assistive Technology Services (ATS) helps students in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) by providing technology tools such as speech generating devices, hardware, software, and mobility devices. 

ATS staff members work in collaboration with school teams to make sure students who need assistive technology get the right tools and training. Every school has an assistive technology coach who works with school teams to incorporate assistive technology for students with disabilities. This helps students access instruction, close the achievement gap, learn important life skills, and reach their full potential. It's the job of the whole school team to make sure AT tools are part of the curriculum.

ATS uses a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework to ensure successful classroom technology integration for students. Assistive Technology, Inclusive and Accessible Technology, and Educational Technology Tools are outlined in the Tiers of Support framework. The Virginia Department of Education’s Assistive Technology Tools and Strategies (VDOE VATTS) gives advice on how to choose and use assistive technology (AT) for students with disabilities. This includes planning and putting AT services into action.  

Adapted Curriculum Program

The Adapted Curriculum program provides support to schools in the instruction of students with significant cognitive disabilities, who are accessing an adapted curriculum based on the Virginia Essentialized Standards of Learning (VESOL) and Aligned Standards of Learning (ASOL). Supports are designed to use proven methods to help students with significant cognitive disabilities improve their academic performance and social and emotional skills, based on individual needs, to include: 

• Matching the right curriculum through working together and having data discussions, based on individual needs as specified in students' individualized education programs (IEP).
• Recommendations to teachers on ways to adapt curriculum and instructional materials to address individual student learning needs.
• In-classroom coaching to address individualized instructional interventions, positive behavior programming, and assessment.
• Professional development in all areas of academics, life skills, communication, behavior management, assessment, and data collection.
• Facilitation in the use of the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in ID/IDS classrooms.
• Consultation with school administrators to address program development, program modifications, and instructional oversight.
• Consultative services with school teams and the high-incidence team for students who access the general education curriculum and require more intensive support.

Our program looks forward to supporting all school staff in providing best practices and ensuring positive outcomes for students accessing an adapted curriculum.

Career and Transition Services

FCPS Career and Transition Services (CTS) is excited to partner with you to ensure that every student is prepared for life beyond high school. CTS provides a range of supports and resources tailored to help students with IEPs explore career opportunities, develop essential life skills, and plan for their post-secondary goals.

CTS offers various programs designed to help students transition smoothly from school to the next phase of their lives, whether that be higher education, employment, or independent living. Our services include:

• Career Exploration and Planning: Helping students identify their interests and strengths to set realistic career goals.
• Work-Based Learning Opportunities: Providing hands-on experiences in the workplace through internships, job shadowing, and supported employment.
• Transition Planning: Assisting with the development of transition plans as part of the IEP process to ensure that students are equipped with the skills and knowledge they need for success.
• Self-Advocacy and Life Skills: Offering training and workshops to build self-advocacy, independent living, and decision-making skills.

We encourage all families to take advantage of these valuable resources. Whether your child is just starting high school or nearing graduation, it’s never too early or too late to begin planning for the future. To learn more about our services or to get involved, please reach out to your school’s Employment and Transition Representative or visit the CTS page on the FCPS website.

Together, we can empower our students to reach their full potential and confidently step into the next chapter of their lives. Looking forward to a successful school year!

Early Childhood Special Education Identification and Services - Child Find

Child Find is the process of identifying children with potential special education needs as well as educating the community about child development and the importance of early intervention. If you have concerns about your child’s development, Child Find screenings are free for children ages 20 months to 5 years old who reside in Fairfax County or Fairfax City.  Your child must turn 2 no later than September 30th.  

Early Childhood Identification & Services (ECID&S) provides specialized instruction to all children ages 2 through 5, who qualify under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA, Part B, Section 619). The ECID&S program ensures the provision of a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the child’s Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) to all children who are found eligible at no cost to their families. 

Services are based on an Individualized Education Program (IEP) which is developed in collaboration with FCPS staff members and the parents of each child eligible for early childhood special education services. If your child has an IEP, contact your child’s case manager with questions about your child’s program.

Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

Social and emotional learning is a partnership among families, schools, and the community. Intentionally teaching SEL skills at school supports the work that begins and continues at home. Research shows us that when SEL is part of a student’s regular educational experience, students experience positive outcomes such as: 

• Improved academic performance
• Increased college and career readiness
• Strengthened positive relationships
• Enhanced sense of well-being
• Increased sense of safety and support

Learn more about social and emotional learning practices within FCPS.

Behavior Intervention Services

Behavior Intervention Services (BIS) provides behavioral support to teachers and school teams for students (in pre-k through grade 12) accessing the general education curriculum within the general and special education settings. 

The Behavior Intervention Teacher (BITS):

• Coaches and models evidence based strategies 
• Collaborates with administrators, school teams, and central office departments for student specific behavior trainings, supports, and interventions
• Guides school teams to discuss and plan for student behavior concerns to include tier 2 and 3 interventions
• Attends and participates in student staffings, IEP meetings to discuss proactive behavior supports
• Assists staff through the FBA/BIP learning process
• Provides district, region, school based, and family professional development trainings 

COVID-19 Compensatory Education Services: Service Delivery Options

FCPS is committed to providing the COVID-19 (C19) compensatory education services identified by IEP and 504 teams. For more information regarding the completion of these hours, contact your child’s case manager.

Neurodiversity Equity in FCPS

Fairfax County Public Schools is committed to ensuring equitable access to quality education for all students and is steadfast in its commitment to creating neurodivergent affirming schools. Find out more information about Neurodiversity Equity in FCPS.