Parents of Frederick special needs students feel impact of fed funding deficit

Parents of special needs students in Frederick County are concerned the school system isn’t doing enough to support their children. School officials say parents are right, and point to state and federal funding models as the cause.

While schools in the US don’t diagnose students with special needs, Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) has systems to detect when students are falling behind. Schools screen students throughout the year, and if any unique needs appear, supplemental education can be provided.

If a student does not respond to intervention, parents are informed and the school may begin its screening process to identify the cause. The school will look to see if a particular disability is present, and if that warrants further support.