Special Education
    Essex County Public Schools provides special education and related services to students, ages 2 through 21 with identified educational disabilities. The term "children with disabilities" means those children evaluated, in accordance with state and federal regulations, who have been identified as having one or more of the following disabilities; and who, because of such impairments, need special education and related services.

Autism Multiple Disabilities
Deaf-Blindness Orthopedic Impairment
Deafness Other Health Impairment
Developmental delay (ages 2-6) Specific Learning Disability
Emotional Disability Speech or Language Impairment
Hearing Impairment Traumatic Brain Injury 
Intellectual Disability Visual Impairment or Blindness

    Eligibility for special education is determined by a multidisciplinary team, which may include the school psychologist, educational diagnostician, speech-language pathologist, occupational therapist, physical therapist, special and general education teachers, school counselor, administrators, and parents. If you suspect that your child has a disability, please contact the Child Study Chairperson at your child's school.


    Special Education services are governed by both federal and state regulations. Virginia's special education regulations can be found on the Virginia Department of Education's website. 

    Special Education Procedural Safeguards are also available on the Virginia Department of Education website. 
     English Version
     Spanish Version


     For more information regarding special education programs in Essex County Public Schools, please contact the Director of Special Education, Dr. Anthony M. Walker at (804) 443-3959.

 Special Education Contacts
Director of Special Education Dr. Anthony M. Walker (804) 443-3959
Special Education Administrative Assistant Kelly Shockey (804) 443-3959
School Psychologist Linsey Williams (804) 443-8262



Links and Resources

Virginia Department of Education - Special Education

A Parent's Guide to Special Education (English)

A Parent's Guide to Special Education (Spanish)