Special Education Terms in Georgia
What special education terms does Georgia use?
Georgia largely follows standard federal IDEA terminology for its special education system, unlike some states that use unique terms (e.g., Texas's IEP Team). The IEP Team in Georgia is called the 'IEP Team,' consistent with federal usage under 34 CFR §300.321. Georgia's special education regulations are found in Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 160-4-7-.01 through 160-4-7-.21, promulgated by the Georgia State Board of Education under the authority of O.C.G.A. Title 20, Chapter 2. The Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) Division for Special Education Services and Supports is the state education agency responsible for administering IDEA in Georgia. Georgia uses the Georgia Online IEP (GO-IEP) system, a statewide web-based platform for developing, maintaining, and tracking IEPs across all LEAs. Georgia has 18 Georgia Learning Resources System (GLRS) centers, which are regional programs funded by GaDOE that provide training, coaching, and support to school personnel, parents, and families regarding evidence-based practices for students with disabilities (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 160-4-7-.16). The Georgia Network for Educational and Therapeutic Support (GNETS), governed by Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 160-4-7-.15, provides 24 programs across the state serving students ages 5-21 with intense social, emotional, and/or behavioral challenges. GNETS was formerly known as Georgia's 'Psycho-educational Centers.' Georgia's state assessment is the Georgia Milestones Assessment System, with the Georgia Alternate Assessment 2.0 (GAA 2.0) serving as the alternate assessment for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. Georgia refers to its evaluation process as the 'initial evaluation' and 'reevaluation,' consistent with federal terminology. The Office of State Administrative Hearings (OSAH) is the state agency that conducts due process hearings in Georgia, using Administrative Law Judges (ALJs). Georgia's Parent Training and Information Center is Parent to Parent of Georgia (P2PGA), and the state Protection and Advocacy agency is the Georgia Advocacy Office (GAO).
What Georgia Requires
IEP Team is the standard term used in Georgia, consistent with federal IDEA terminology under 34 CFR §300.321.
Georgia Online IEP (GO-IEP) is the statewide web-based system for developing and maintaining IEPs across all LEAs.
GLRS (Georgia Learning Resources System) consists of 18 regional programs providing training and support to school personnel and parents (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 160-4-7-.16).
GNETS (Georgia Network for Educational and Therapeutic Support) provides 24 programs for students ages 5-21 with intense behavioral challenges (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 160-4-7-.15).
Georgia Milestones is the state assessment; GAA 2.0 is the alternate assessment for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities.
OSAH (Office of State Administrative Hearings) conducts due process hearings using Administrative Law Judges (ALJs).
Parent to Parent of Georgia (P2PGA) is the state's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center; Georgia Advocacy Office (GAO) is the state Protection and Advocacy agency.
Key Timelines
GO-IEP system tracks all special education timelines including 60-day evaluation, 30-day IEP development, annual reviews, and triennial reevaluations.
GLRS programs submit annual scope of work and budgets to GaDOE for funding (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 160-4-7-.16).
IEP meetings may be facilitated by a neutral GaDOE facilitator upon request through the Facilitated IEP Team Meeting process.