The purpose of the Department of Exceptional Learning is to provide effective educational programs to students with disabilities, ages 3-21, so that they may receive free, appropriate, public education as provided for in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and state law.

The Department of Exceptional Learning is responsible for identification and evaluation, eligibility, and individualized education plans eligible students and provides a variety of support services to students with disabilities and regular education students.  The services offered through this department include:

• Psychological services

• Social work services 

• Speech/language therapy 

• Physical therapy 

• Occupational therapy

• Special medical needs 

• Behavioral intervention services

All students with disabilities in the Long County School System participate in a challenging educational program designed to meet their unique needs that results in increased academic performance and prepares them for employment and independent living. 

LCSS participates in an ongoing statewide effort to identify, locate, and evaluate children birth through the age of 21 who have a physical, mental, communicative, and/or emotional disability to include students who attend state, private, or home-based schools.

The Department of Exceptional Learning of Long County Public Schools offers comprehensive special education services to eligible students ages three through 21 years and to children from birth through age 21 years who have a hearing or visual impairment. Children from birth to age three with other disabilities will be referred to appropriate agencies for services. All referrals are considered confidential, and services are provided at no cost. The parent, legal guardian, or surrogate parent retains the right to refuse services and are provided other procedural safeguards under federal and state laws.

Public school services include screening in areas of suspected disabilities, such as vision, hearing, motor skills, speech, language, and general development. Evaluations in the schools are provided for several areas of suspected disabilities, including learning disabilities, speech and language development, physical impairment, vision or hearing problems, mental retardation, emotional disturbances, autism/pervasive development disorders, health impairments, or traumatic brain injuries.

A free, appropriate, public education with a full continuum of services is available. For more information concerning eligibility criteria and referral procedures, contact the principal or counselor of your local school or call the Department of Exceptional Learning at 912-545-2919.

Preschool Intervention Program Flyer
If you know of any child who may have a disability, please e-mail Mrs. Debra Wingate at dwingate@longcountyschools.org or phone 545-2919.

Parents/Guardians can access the Georgia Department of Education Special Needs Scholarship Program information at: 

http://www.gadoe.org/External-Affairs-and-Policy/Policy/Pages/Special-Needs-Scholarship-Program.aspx 

GaDOE - Special Education Services and Supports

Section 504 Procedural Safeguards

Notice of Rights for Student and Parents Under Section 504

Parents Rights-English

Parents Rights-Spanish

Welcome to Parent Night Information

PARENTS:  Please visit our Parent Resource Center at the Annex. Parents are encouraged to check out materials to work with their children at home.