Student Services

District Profile

Mount Vernon City Schools serves approximately 850 students with disabilities each year. About 20 percent of the Mount Vernon student population have been identified as eligible for special education. The district is required to locate all children who may have disabilities, ages birth through age 21, who reside within its boundaries.

The district provides a continuum of special education programming and services at no cost to the parents for:

• Preschool Children (Ages 3-5)
• School Age (Ages 6-21) students with identified disabilities in the areas of:
  • Autism
  • Cognitive Delayed Impairment (formerly known as Developmental Handicap/Mental Retardation)
  • Emotional Disturbance (formerly known as Severe Emotional Disturbance/Severe Behavior Handicap)
  • Hearing Impairment
  • Learning Disability (formerly known as Specific Learning Disability)
  • Multiple Disabilities
  • Other Health Impairment
  • Orthopedic Impairment
  • Speech Language Impairment
  • Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Visual Impairment

Parent Resources

Individuals with Disabilities Education and Improvement Act

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law that assures children and youth with disabilities a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment. Federal and State laws require school districts to evaluate children who have suspected disabilities. These laws affect all school-aged children educated within the Mount Vernon City School District boundaries and all preschool children who live within the Mount Vernon City School District.
If you have concerns about your child’s ability or skills and suspect there may be a disability, please contact your child’s teacher, principal, or the Student Services/Special Education office at (740) 397-7422 x 6021.

Public Comment

Each year, the Mount Vernon City School District receives Part-B IDEA Special Education funds from the federal government to assist in providing services to students with disabilities.  These funds help to provide instructional and paraprofessional staff, along with instructional materials and supplies.

Questions and suggestions concerning the use of these funds for students with special needs can be directed to Mount Vernon City School's Student Services Director Carmen Griffith at (740) 397-7422, extension 6026. 

Mrs. Griffith also acts as the district’s local liaison to identify and support students experiencing homelessness.  She also provides resources, McKinney-Vento services and information McKinney-Vento Homeless Resources for Awareness.

For more information about IDEA-Part B or Homeless Children & Youth, contact: Carmen Griffith,  Director of Student Services and Homeless Liaison  
(740) 397-7422, extension 6026.