The special education department is headed by the Director of the
Program for Exceptional Students. The department also includes
instructional specialists, itinerant teachers, occupational and physical
therapists, related service personnel, and secretarial
staff. Instructional specialists are trained to provide leadership
and instructional methods/techniques of instruction to teachers and parents in
the following areas:
Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, Specific Learning
Disabilities, Sensory Impairments, Orthopedic and Other Health Impairments,
Speech and Language Disorders, Autism, Traumatic Brain Injury, Significantly
Developmentally Delayed, Mild, Moderate, Severe, and Profound Intellectual
Disabilities. The Director for the Program for Exceptional Students has many
responsibilities which include motivation, guidance and direction to teachers,
students and other personnel involved in the Program for Exceptional
Students. Instructional specialists serve each school in the district
respective to its needs. Staff cooperate with cooperate with other
agencies such as the Woodall Program, Department of Family and Children
Services, State Hospitals, Local Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies, Good will
Industries, Department of Human Resources, Court Services and Group
Homes. We serve all students with disabilities ages
3-21. The preschool special education program, known as the STEPS
Program, serves identified students with disabilities beginning on the child's
third birthday. For more information, contact: Department
of Special Education, Columbus Roberts Center, 539 Brown Avenue,
Columbus, Georgia 31906, (706) 649-0500.