Education
To locate educational services in your community, click here to search the Pathfinder database. On the database search page, select your county and a service category then click on "Search."
You may be interested in these Pathfinder service categories related to Education: Advocacy Services, Developmental and/or Psychological Assessment, Early Intervention Program for Young Children, IDEA Information and/or Training, Learning Disability Resources, Special Education Program. Click here to look up service definitions.
General School-Age Education Information (Tennessee)
All children have a right to a Free and Appropriate Public Education. If your child has special needs, is 3 or older, and has not been receiving early intervention services, contact your local public school system. See Pathfinder's Education Laws section so that you are familiar with the law and your rights and responsibilities.See Pathfinder's Education Advocacy and Education Laws sections for additional Tennessee resources.
Tennessee Department of Education's Special Education Division has information to help guide you through the special education process:
Special Education Manual, a guide for professionals and parents
Rights of Children with Disabilities and Parent Responsibilities
Tennessee Department of Education's Regional Resource Centers
Local school systems (or Local Education Agencies, LEAs) have information to help guide you through the special education process. The specific criteria and procedures used by school districts may vary. Your local director of special education and his or her staff can help you get such information. The Tennessee Department of Education's Search Page can help you find a web site for your school system.
Disability Law & Advocacy Center of Tennessee
Formerly Tennessee Protection & Advocacy. Provides information and referral, training, and administrative and legal advocacy. It serves persons with developmental disabilities, mental illness, or clients of rehabilitation services, and their family members.
Homeschool Resources
Information and resources regarding home schooling in
The HSC Foundation has published Information and Resources for Families of Children with Health and/or Mental Health Care Needs. This is designed to help parents of children who have been diagnosed with health or mental health care needs to learn about available resources and to develop a partnership with their children’s school.
Project LINK
LINK is Leaders In education Networking Kids. LINK teaches parents how the special education system works and their roles and rights. It teaches parents how to work within the system and how to be an advocate.
SPAN-TN (Special Education Action Network)
SPAN-TN is a family-driven network of proactive families, individuals and organizations. Members work together to start, support, and coordinate special education advocacy activities.
Support and Training for Exceptional Parents (STEP)
STEP is a statewide family-to-family program to support families. STEP provides free information, advocacy training, and support services. STEP serves parents of children eligible to receive special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Call the STEP Office in your region:
Tennessee State Board of Education (SBE)
The State Board of Education governs and makes policy for Tennessee public elementary and secondary education. Its work touches all aspects of education from accountability and evaluation to curriculum and teacher education. Its work includes special education.
Tennessee Voices for Children
A statewide, not-for-profit, non-partisan organization of families, professionals, business and community leaders, and government representatives. It works to improve and expand mental health services. It promotes the emotional and behavioral well-being of children.
General School-Age Education Information (National)
How the Process Works
Eligibility Guidelines for Special Education Services
Individualized Education Program (IEP)
Suggestions for Parents
Assistive Technology Training Online Project (ATTO) provides information on AT applications that help students with disabilities learn in elementary classrooms.
Council for Exceptional Children
Disability Studies for Teachers
ERIC, the Education Resources Information Center, sponsored by the U.S. Dept. of Education
The Inclusion Series is a series of documentaries that inspire inclusion and offer audiences examples of inclusion of people with disabilities in real-life situations.
Information Center on Disabilities and Gifted Education
Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA)
Offers resources and info on home schooling, including Homeschooling Your Special Needs Child.
National Inclusive Schools Week recognizes the importance of building schools and communities that are welcoming of all children and youth.
National Information Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY)
NICHCY's Research Center provides research-based information to guide your work with children with disabilities.
PACER (Parent Advocacy Coalition for Education Rights)
Strives to improve and expand opportunities that enhance the quality of life for children and adults with disabilities and their families. Also offers a website to help prevent bulling, a project of PACER's National Center for Bullying Prevention.
Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports
Project Participate: This website provides family members and professionals with strategies to increase active participation of students with disabilities in school programs.
Tool Kit on Teaching and Assessing Students With Disabilities , from the U.S. Department of Education.