Special Education

The Department of Exceptional Children

The Special Education Department of the East Tallahatchie School District offers a wide range of programs to meet the individual needs of students.  Eligible students are served as young as three and up to twenty-one years of age.  Our schools offer programs to serve students who need extended instructional time in a special education settings. 


The following resource programs are offered in all our schools:

  • Speech therapy
  • Occupational therapy
  • Physical therapy


Student identification procedures, achievement testing, programming instructions and flexible scheduling require the participation of all school personnel. As the district strives to recognize and enhance the potential of all students with disabilities, it becomes necessary not only to identify unserved students but also to maintain program continuity and coordination with regular education in order to provide appropriate instruction.

IDEA Meeting Icon

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Budget Meeting PowerPoint Presentation
June 27, 2024 @ 10:30 AM

View Powerpoint


Meet Our Team

K. Patrice Beamon
Director of Exceptional Children
kbeamon@etsdk12.org
(662) 647-5524

.

Lori Criswell
District Psychometrist
Case Manager


.

Andrea Staten
Speech Language Pathologist

Special Education

Eligibility for Services

To be eligible for special education services, a student must meet the eligibility criteria specified in the Mississippi State Policies Regarding Children with Individual Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) 2004 (State Board Policy 74.19) and be in need of specialized instruction and/or related services. The thirteen disability categories include:

  • Autism
  • Deaf-Blind
  • Developmental Delay
  • Emotional Disability
  • Hearing Impairment
  • Language/Speech Impairment
  • Intellectual Disability
  • Multiple Disability
  • Orthopedic Impairment
  • Other Health Impairment
  • Specific Learning disability
  • Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Visual Impairment

Policies and Procedures

The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE), Office of Special Education (OSE) has developed Procedure Manuals (Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5) for State Board Policy Chapter 74, Rule 74.19, State Policies Regarding Children with Disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 2004 (IDEA 2004).

Visit the Mississippi Department of Education’s website for details on Special Education policies and procedures.