In keeping with the mandate from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Hardeman County Special Education aims to provide the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) for all students, ages 3-21. This means the door to schools, classrooms and school activities are open to every student and they are afforded every opportunity to be included with their non-disabled peers.

A continuum of services is available for each student based on the Individual Education Plan (IEP) team decision on the placement of those services. The focus is on giving each student the help he or she needs to learn.

Disabilities Eligible for Service in Tennessee:  A student may be eligible for special education services if the following conditions significantly impact their educational performance:  

• Autism
• Deaf-Blindness
• Deafness
• Developmental Delay
• Emotional Disturbance
• Hearing Impairment
• Intellectual Disability
• Intellectually Gifted
• Multiple Disabilities
• Orthopedic Impairment
• Other Health Impairment
• Specific Learning Disability
• Speech Impairment
• Language Impairments
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Visual Impairment

           

Under the IDEA, there are specific criteria for special education eligibility. There are also specific criteria for eligibility for special education under the Tennessee Department of Special Education. Visit the Special Education page on the Tennessee Department of Education’s website for more information.

If eligible, Special Education services include, but are not limited to, the following:
 

• Behavior and Discipline
• Occupational/Physical Therapy
• Hearing and Vision Services
• Speech/Language Therapy
• Homebound Services
• Transition Services
• Social Work Services

Please note:  Retention of SPED records must be retained for a minimum of three years. For further information:  Notice of Destruction of Special Education Records