Mission Statement: The Dyersburg City Schools Special Education Department is dedicated to ensuring that ALL special education students are provided a free, appropriate public education (FAPE) that maximizes each student's individual strengths and abilities. Dyersburg City Schools Special Education Department ensures that ALL special needs students will receive individualized instruction, related services, and accommodated supports within their least restrictive environment in order to develop successful contributing members of our local community and beyond.
Vision Statement: The vision of the Special Education Department is to meet the individual needs of all students and build foundational skills that foster opportunities that will encourage students to become lifelong learners, self-advocate for themselves, gain employment, and seek independence.
Core Beliefs: Dyersburg City Schools (DCS) Special Education Department believes that:
- ALL means ALL when providing services to special needs students
- All students can learn, achieve, and succeed.
- Educating special needs students is the responsibility of all DCS special education employees.
- Parent and student input is encouraged and greatly appreciated.
- Students and their success should be the focal point of all IEP Team meetings.
- ALL SWDs are unique individuals and should be valued for their physical, social, emotional, and intellectual differences.
- DCS special education staff must build positive relationships with students, staff, and parents.
- A continuum of services should be used to promote student growth and achievement,
- Educational excellence begins with professional learning communities.
- Family and community involvement will enhance the learning process for students.
- Graduation is a shared responsibility and begins when a student enrolls in Dyersburg City Schools.
Special Education Department Goals: Dyersburg City Schools Special Education Department strives to:
- Decrease the number of student IEP referrals by increasing student performance through the Response to Intervention (RTI) process.
- Increase the number of students who graduate with a diploma.
- Increase the number of students who receive adequate transition services that increase their skill level necessary to achieve gainful employment or enter a postsecondary education placement.
- Increase the number of students with disabilities that are served in their least restrictive environment.