Special Education

Special Education Services & Supports Aligned to IDEA

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) ensures that all children with disabilities are entitled to a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE), designed to meet their unique needs and prepare them for further education, employment, and independent living.

The Special Education Department at Georgia Preparatory Academy Schools is committed to upholding the principles and mandates of IDEA by delivering high-quality, equitable, and individualized services to students with disabilities. Our programs and services are designed to support schools in implementing evidence-based practices, ensuring compliance with federal and Georgia state regulations, and improving outcomes for all learners.

Comprehensive Services & Supports

Our services are grounded in IDEA’s core components and focus on improving academic achievement, functional performance, and post-secondary success through coordinated regional and statewide initiatives that engage students, families, educators, administrators, and community stakeholders.

Key areas of support include:

• Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM): Ensuring all students have access to grade-level content in formats that meet their individual needs 
• Assistive Technology (AT): Providing tools and supports that increase independence, access, and engagement in learning 
• Curriculum Access & Alignment: Aligning instruction to state standards while differentiating to meet diverse learning needs 
• Family Engagement: Promoting meaningful parent participation as equal partners in the IEP process, consistent with IDEA requirements 
• Least Restrictive Environment (LRE): Supporting inclusive practices that allow students to learn alongside their non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate 
• Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS): Implementing proactive, data-driven strategies to address behavioral needs  
• Transition Services: Preparing students for life beyond high school through coordinated, results-oriented planning beginning no later than age 16 (or earlier as appropriate) 

Compliance, Accountability, and Continuous Improvement

In alignment with IDEA, we ensure:

• Full compliance with federal and state regulations governing special education 
• Implementation of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) that are standards-based, measurable, and student-centered 
• Ongoing data collection and analysis to monitor student progress and inform instructional decision-making 
• Procedural safeguards that protect the rights of students and families 

Our team utilizes data-driven practices to evaluate program effectiveness, close achievement gaps, and ensure continuous improvement in educational outcomes.

Continuum of Services

We provide a full continuum of special education services as required under IDEA, ensuring that each student receives support tailored to their individual needs. Service delivery models include:

• Consultation and collaboration 
• Supportive instruction within the general education setting 
• Co-teaching (inclusive model) 
• Resource/pull-out services 
• Separate class settings (when necessary) 

All placement decisions are made by the IEP team and are based on the students’ unique needs, ensuring access to the general education curriculum to the greatest extent appropriate.

Special Education Services

Georgia Preparatory Academy (GPA) serves students from various categories of disabilities including Autism Spectrum Disorder (AUT); Deaf/Hard of Hearing (D/HH), Emotional Behavior Disorder (EBD); Mild, Moderate Intellectual Disability (MID, MOID); Orthopedic Impairment (OI); Other Health Impaired (OHI); Specific Learning Disability (SLD); Speech Language Impairment (SI); Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI); and Visual Impairment (VI). Currently, GPA's largest category served is EBD.

Four special education curriculum specialists oversee sites across the state of Georgia. Carolyn Perrin, Ed.S. oversees Wilkes, Augusta RY, Augusta RYDC, Milledgeville, Rockdale, Martha K. Paula Gibson J.D oversees Elbert Shaw, Marietta, Metro, Atlanta, Bob Richards, Gainesville. Marco Hicks-Brown Ph.D. oversees Terrell RYDC, Cadwell RYDC, Claxton RYDC, Crisp RYDC, Loftiss RYDC, Savannah RYDC, and Waycross RYDC. LaTanya Barkley Washington Ph.D. oversees DeKalb RYDC, Eastman YDC, Macon RYDC, Macon YDC, Muscogee YDC, and Aaron Cohn RYDC.

Mrs. Winifred Pierce Ed.S., Special Education Director, oversees special education to ensure the needs of students with disabilities enrolled in Georgia Preparatory Academy are being met, as well as, overseeing state and federal compliance and IDEA grants.