Exceptional Education

The Alexander City Schools System is committed to identifying, locating, and evaluating all children from birth to age twenty-one within its jurisdiction who may have disabilities and require special education or related services. This responsibility applies regardless of the severity of a child's disability.

CHILD FIND applies to:

• Children who currently attend, or plan to attend, Alexander City Schools
• Children attending private schools located within the Alexander City Schools jurisdiction
• Highly mobile children with disabilities (including migrant and homeless children)
• Children who are suspected of having a disability and needing special education services, even if they are progressing from grade to grade

If you are aware of a child who may need special education services, please contact your child’s school principal or the Alexander City Board of Education.

The Alabama Administrative Code defines gifted children and youth as those “who perform or who have demonstrated the potential to perform at high levels in academic or creative fields when compared with others of their age, experience, or environment. Children and youth possessing these abilities can be found in all populations, across all economic strata, and in all areas of human endeavor.”

Students may be referred for gifted services by teachers, counselors, administrators, parents/guardians, peers, themselves, or any individual knowledgeable of the student’s abilities. In addition, all second-grade students are screened as potential gifted referrals through the use of a gifted behavior checklist.

Parental consent is required before any screening or evaluation begins. Once consent is obtained, a screening team reviews available information in the areas of intelligence or creativity, gifted characteristics, and performance. Based on this review, the team determines whether sufficient evidence exists to move forward with a full evaluation.

The State of Alabama uses a matrix scoring system to determine eligibility for gifted services. Students who meet or exceed the minimum required score on the matrix are identified as eligible, and a Gifted Education Plan (GEP) is developed to support their instructional needs. Written parental permission is required before gifted services can begin.

For questions or to make a gifted referral, please contact 256-234-8600.