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Division of Specialized Support Services → Special Education Services

Thank you SECAC Co-Chairs and Community

Thank you to our interpreters, staff, parents, guardians, and community organizations for your participation this school year. SECAC meetings will resume on Thursday, September 24, 2026.
Voting for our new SECAC Co-Chairs has ended on Monday, June 8, 2026.

SECAC hosts monthly meetings in a virtual setting to collaborate with families, community groups, advocates, and MCPS staff for the purpose of enhancing special education services & outcomes for students.

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Bringing Communication Home

Bringing Communication Home: Tools and Tips for Families
Monday, June 1
5:30pm - 7:00pm

Carver Educational Services Center Auditorium (CESC)
850 Hungerford Dr Rockville, MD 20850
In-Person Workshop - REGISTER HERE

In this workshop, parents and guardians will explore how AAC
(augmentative and alternative communication) supports their child's
communication at school and discover practical strategies to carry
those same principles into everyday moments at home.

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Your Opinion Matters!

Make Your Voice Heard!

  • Please take 5 minutes to complete the Maryland Special Education Parent Involvement Survey.
  • Please complete this survey in one sitting. If you leave this page before submitting the Survey, you will have to start over.
  • Remember the Survey must be completed by June 5, 2026.

https://mdparentsurvey.com/ 

 

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Announcement:

Thank you to our SECAC co-chairs and community

Full Paid Tuition: Earn your Master of Education M.Ed. this Fall 2026

A Culture of Action! Calling 9-1-1 in a crisis

Share Your Story | Highlights

Meet the Division of Specialized Support Services

Schedule to attend our virtual SECAC meetings:

New degree program for Paraprofessionals

New! Maryland Assessment, Accessibility, & Accomodations Guide

Sections

 

Family Support

 

 

Contact Us

Special Education Services
Jada Langston, Director

Special Education Compliance
Vernetta Christian, Director

Special Education Prekindergarten, Programs and Services
Erica W. Williams, Director

Central Placement Unit
Floyd R. Branch III, Acting Supervisor

Family Support Center
MaryBeth Mantzouranis

The MSDE Family Support Section of the Family Support and Dispute Resolution Branch, responds to parent inquiries, assists parents with navigating Maryland's early intervention and special education systems, and provides parents with school system resources. 

Maryland State Department of Education, Early Intervention and Special Education Services 

Ken Hudock, Section Chief, Family Support Services: (410) 767-0255 or kenneth.hudock@maryland.gov 

Frequently Visited

 

                     

 

Special Education Services

MCPS Services to Support Families
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In support of the core values of the MCPS strategic planning framework and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA), DSSS is committed to promoting improved academic achievement and social emotional success for all students with disabilities. Parents/guardians are valued partners with school staff members in planning the student’s services through the Individualized Education Program (IEP) decision-making process. All decisions regarding the placement of a student with a disability will be made by an IEP team in collaboration with parents/guardians consistent with the requirements of the Federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Services by Age Group

Preschool


Secondary Services (Grades 6-12)

Elementary Services (K-5)

MCPS Family Support Center

MCPS Family Support Center seeks to:

  • Increase parental involvement in the early intervention and special education decision making process.
  • Increase collaborative relationships through information and training.
  • Assist families in resolving concerns and making informed decisions regarding their child's education.
  • Provide information about disabilities and school system and community resources.

MSDE Family Support and Dispute Resolution Branch

MSDE Family Support Section of the Family Support and Dispute Resolution Branch, responds to parent inquiries, assists parents with navigating Maryland's early intervention and special education systems, and provides parents with school system resources.

Maryland Assessment, Accessibility, and Accommodations Manual

Parents' Guide to Habilitative Services (English) |  Spanish

IDEA Dispute Resolution Processes Comparison Chart

Parent Information Series on Procedural Safeguards

Maryland Procedural Safeguards Notice

Procedural Safeguards/Parent Rights Brochure

Special Education State Complaint Resolution Procedures

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State Complaint Form (Part B)

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State Complaint Form - Part C

Request for Mediation and Due Process Complaint Form

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Portuguese |  Russian | Spanish |  Tagalog |  Urdu |  Vietnamese

Listing of Free or Low Cost Assistance for Special Education Disputes

A Parent’s Guide to Frequently Asked Questions about Special Education State Complaints

A Parent's Guide to Frequently Asked Questions about Special Education Mediation

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Polish |  Portuguese |  Russian |  Spanish |  Tagalog |  Urdu |  Vietnamese

A Parent's Guide to Frequently Asked Questions about Special Education Due Process Complaints

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Bullying, Harassment, or Intimidation Incident Reporting  

Upon receipt of MCPS Form 230-35, Bullying, Harassment, or Intimidation Reporting Form, the school principal/designee must promptly conduct an adequate, reliable, and impartial investigation. The investigation must be documented by completing this form. Principal/Designee must use this form, MCPS Form 230-36, Bullying, Harassment, or Intimidation Investigation Form, to promptly and appropriately investigate reports of bullying, harassment, or intimidation consistent with due process rights, within two school days after receipt of a reporting form or as timely as possible for school administration or administrative designee.