programs honored for service to students with special needs

Tennessee schools, districts and programs were honored this month for their outstanding service to students with special needs. These awardees model exemplary practices in educating and meeting the needs of students with special needs in regular classroom settings.
“We commend these programs for their efforts to provide students the services they need alongside their peers,” Assistant Commissioner for Special Education Joseph Fisher said. “The goal is for all students in Tennessee schools to gain the knowledge and skills to lead productive, meaningful lives. These awardees have done an exceptional job of honoring this goal for students with special needs.”
Below are the 2008 award recipients for excellence in special education:
1.         Athens City Preschool - McMinn County
2.         Loudon County Middle School - Loudon County
3.         Maryville City Schools - Blount County
4.         Kingsport City Preschool - Sullivan County
5.         Lebanon Special School District - Lebanon City School District
6.         The Independence Class - Putnam County
7.         EIME Early Intervention and Mechanical Engineering Project - Tennessee Tech University - Putnam County
8.         Harpeth Middle School - Cheatham County
9.         Paul G. Caywood Pre-K - 5 - Lexington City Schools - Lexington County
10.       Geeter Middle School - Memphis City Schools
11.       Westhaven Elementary School - Memphis City Schools
12.       Evans Elementary - Memphis City Schools
13.       Gibson County High School - Gibson County
Mr. Fisher formally recognized the recipients at the Division of Special Education’s annual conference themed “Working Together for Success.” Federal law provides that students with special needs are to be educated separately only if their education cannot be satisfactorily achieved in the regular setting. This recognition program honors programs that do an exceptional job helping students with special needs achieve in the regular classroom.