Special Education Parent Advisory Council
To support students with special needs and their families to successfully navigate the support services offered by Knox County Schools and the surrounding community.
Email: Advisorycouncil@knoxschools.org
Website: knoxschools.org/pac
Phone: 865-594-9582
Check Out Our Webpage with the Community Calendar
Looking for FREE family friendly events, disability specific trainings for parents, or supports in the community? Check out the Community Calendar on our web page! (Just Click on the tab at the top "Events and Trainings" and then click on the month to see all the events .) Some examples of upcoming events include:
- Lunch and Learn : Sensory Supports for Children
- Taking Care of Yourself: A Workshop for Parents
Educating Your Child with Mental Health Needs: Special Education
Google Chrome for Students : Part 2: Tools to Manage Time, Focus, and Information
Click on the button below for more information/ registration
Parent Surveys From the Tennessee Department of Education
The Tennessee Department of Education is seeking information from parents, guardians, and caregivers of children receiving special education services. These results will help schools and the state have a better understanding of how to improve services. The state randomly chooses families to participate in a survey.
If your family is chosen, you can participate by:
- Filling out a paper copy and returning it in the postage paid, self-addressed envelope
- Complete it online at: http://is.gd/tnspecialed
The online survey will ask for the student's last name and "the child's 6 digit unique ID number. This can be found on the paper copy of the survey in the top right corner
These surveys will be distributed the week before Spring Break. Please take a few minutes to respond and this will help us to improve services for your child.
School Transitions Parent Guide (Elementary to Middle and Middle to High School)
The Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SPED PAC) discussed that one of the areas where families struggle is when a child with special needs is moving from one building to the next. So, they helped to develop the following guides for parents with children transitioning from Elementary to Middle School or Middle School to High School.
Click on the links below for more Information
Diploma Options in Special Education in Tennessee
In the state of Tennessee, there are four different options for diplomas when you graduate from high school for students receiving special education services. These options are the regular diploma, the Alternate Academic Diploma (AAD), the Occupational Diploma, and the Special Education Diploma. If your child has an Individual Education Program (IEP), it is important to know the differences between these diplomas and what each may mean for your child's future. You will also need to consider early on how taking alternate assessments instead of the traditional TCAP state testing will affect your child's diploma options when they get to high school.
Knox County Schools
Kindergarten Round Up at the Welcome Center: Attached you will find the Kindergarten round-up flyers (English and Spanish) for the Welcome Center. These will take place by appointment only-please encourage your families to call ahead. It is also important to note that FCLs will be located at the Welcome Center all day on these dates. (Kindergarten Round up dates are also available at the zoned school. Click button "More About Kindergarten Roundup" for more information.
