Special Education

Dr. Courtney Powel
GMS Special Education Coordinator
chpowel@rcps.us  540-387-6322

Roanoke County Public Schools are committed to providing all children with opportunities to benefit from a public education. Special education programs and services are available to county residents who have children with special education needs. These programs and services are provided for children with disabilities whose second birthday falls on or before September 30 through the age of 21 years. Each student receives special education services designed to meet his or her individual needs. These programs are discussed and planned by school personnel, parents, and the student involved. Often instruction is carried out both in the regular and special education classrooms. 

Each special education student's progress is reviewed at least yearly and his/her need for special services is reassessed at a minimum of every three years. Special education programs and services are provided by trained personnel in the following areas as defined by federal and state law: autism, deaf-blindness, deafness, developmental delay, hearing impairment, intellectual disability, multiple disabilities, orthopedic impairment, other health impairment, serious emotional disability, severe and profound disability, specific learning disability, speech or language impairment, traumatic brain injury or visual impairment including blindness. 

If you have any questions about your child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) or the special education process at Glenvar Middle School, please feel free to contact your child’s casemanager or Dr. Courtney Powel, the Coordinator for Special Education at GMS.