Special Education in Georgia (Milledgeville, Eatonton: schools, places to live, moving to)

[rainyday13]

Hi, I am moving to Georgia soon, from the suburbs of Chicago. My husband is taking a new job in Sparta, and I am trying to find a good school near there. My son is 14 and will be in in 9th grade in the fall. I have been researching everything I can find on the schools there. My son is in a self contained classroom now, and only mainstreamed in non academic classes. I am looking so far at, Madison, Milledgeville, and Eatonton. Does anyone have any experience with these schools for their special education departments?

[miranova]

I am from Georgia, but another part...you can look at the other messages I've posted about my feelings of special education in the state. The GADOE - special ed- website has some reports of county special ed departments that might be helpful. It also shows parental satisfaction (in our area it was under the goal of 20 something %). I would be pleasantly surprised if you are happy in those small towns (like ours). What is your child's eligibility category? I have not been able to get my son any therapy (autistic) and I'm having to even argue with them that he's autistic and need therapy. I can maybe provide you with some useful information. I've been forced to do my homework and lots of research on Ga laws lately.

We are considering Chicago suburbs for better special education. Any advice from your personal experience?
best of luck

[DisgustaTruth]

Public Education is simply not a big priority in Georgia, period... so special education is even further down the list, unfortunately. Having a sister who worked in special education in Georgia, she became very frustrated with the lack of resources and committment. However, some districts are doing a better job than others... she tells me that North Fulton, Gwinnett, Cherokee, and Oconee counties are more on the ball than others. The only one of those counties that is anywhere near Sparta would be Oconee, which is a suburb of Athens.. and just happens to be one of the best places to live in Georgia. Hancock County is one of the poorest counties in Georgia.. in fact I think it is THE poorest.. so I wouldn't expect to find a stellar public education system there.

[miranova]

Just fyi, as far as self contained, Georgia has a state wide "psycho-educational" program, now called "GNETs" since they are trying to change the stigma. I know where we are, these are the self-contained options. The option. If I were you, I would look for information about these programs and contact parent to parent of Georgia, for sure. My local advocate describes these classes as "pathways to prison" since kids tend to get passed through these classes, without real therapy and do not learn skills they need and continue to struggle in life after school. If you want to share more personal information, feel free to pm me and I will be happy to try to help! best of luck!