BY THE NUMBERSThe Georgia Department of Education's 2009-10 Special Education Annual Report shows the numbers of students with disabilities across grade levels.* 657: Murray County Schools' students with disabilities in all grades* 176,364: Students with disabilities in Georgia, all grades* 18,843: Prekindergarten statewide* 65,696: Grades 1-5 statewide* 42,046: Grades 6-8 statewide* 49,779: Grades 9-12 statewideSource: Georgia Department of Education 2009-10 Special Education Annual Report, Murray County Schools
Students with disabilities have come a long way in achievement since the days when they were a secret kept at the end of a hallway, the head of Murray County Schools' special education department said.
Allison Oxford, Murray County director of instructional support services and a 21-year educator, said the system's Exceptional Student Services Department netted four awards in November from the Georgia Department of Education. The department oversees about 657 students with disabilities ranging from speech impairment to severe emotional disturbances.
After years of hard work to keep improving, "it's all starting to come together," Oxford said.
"We are always thrilled to be recognized," she said, noting the department has previous awards, but not four in the same year.
The awards were presented at the Georgia Council of Administrators of Special Education annual conference in Savannah, Ga.
Murray's special education department was recognized for its learning environment, for meeting state targets for reducing dropout numbers, for meeting state targets for student performance on the state math test, and for student performance on state reading and English tests, officials said.
Achievement goals set by the federal Office of Special Education Programs are different from adequate yearly progress standards under the No Child Left Behind Act, Oxford said. The state office of special education sets actual targets for students, she said.
Much of Murray's continuing success stems from the fact that many students with disabilities attend classes with traditional students, an effort known as "inclusion," she said. That's a dramatic change from years past, she said.
When she started teaching 21 years ago, Oxford said, students with disabilities were kept separate, and quiet, away from the rest of the student population.
"It is not that day any longer. You see kids just blossoming under inclusion and least-restrictive-environment services," she said. "Given the opportunity, they will achieve at high levels if they're given the right support in the regular education classroom."
Georgia Department of Education Special Education Services and Supports data specialist Bonnie Dye said Murray's success shows the hard work it takes to get special education students ready to stride into the future.
"They're preparing students well for the next level," Dye said.
Detailed statistics on achievement in Murray and other Georgia school districts are due out this week or next, she said.
Contact staff writer Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6569.