How Inclusive Education Transforms Lives

After being crowned Roswell High School’s homecoming king, football quarterback Trey Smith ran over to Jake Jeffries, a senior with Down syndrome, and gave him his crown and sash. Touching moments like this highlight the impact of inclusion and how the integration of special education programs in schools goes beyond academics.

Fulton County Schools (FCS), home to nearly 10,000 students with disabilities, prides itself in ensuring that every student is given the opportunity to receive the great education they deserve. All 104 schools in the district have programs that serve students with disabilities, from the age of three all the way through their 21st birthday.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) has been deeply integrated into the district to ensure that students with disabilities get free and appropriate education (FAPE) tailored to their needs. A multitude of services, modifications, and accommodations may be brought to classrooms that provide extra support, whether behavioral or academic, to those who need it.

With teachers trained to help run special education classes, these programs bring all students together and give them the opportunity to connect and create friendships.

A big part of creating the best environment for these students is parent input, says Dr. MaryKay Berry, the Executive Director of Services for Exceptional Children (SEC).

“Parents, next to students, are one of the most important stakeholders with regard to student education because parents know their child best,” says Dr. Berry.

Each parent of a special needs student is part of a team that works to create an individualized plan for their child to help make decisions about the behavioral, academic, and adaptive needs of the student. Knowing what is best for these children is vital, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires schools to engage parents deeply in their children’s education.

The program has seen some challenges over the years. A huge teacher shortage has resulted in the state allowing teachers with four-year teaching degrees to follow an alternative certification path to teach students with disabilities. Proper training for special education provides people with the specialized knowledge necessary to understand how to support students with diverse needs. To address this shortage, the district has created teacher training programs and implemented Instruction Support Teachers to provide one-on-one or small group training for teachers at the school level.

“Collectively as a district, special education is everyone’s responsibility,” says Dr. Berry.

Integrating schools with these programs not only strengthens students with disabilities knowledge but also gives them the opportunity to make lifelong friends and memories.

The friendship between Trey Smith and Jake Jeffries highlights the transformational power of Special Education programs in schools. By giving students access to the academic mic and behavioral help they need, FCS has created an environment where each and every student has the opportunity to create lifelong friendships, connections, and memories, like that of Smith and Jeffries. The story of the two friends is a testament to the development that Fulton County’s special education program promotes, and a promise of the continued positive impact it will have on FCS students.

Article written by Mila Snyder, a Riverwood High School senior who served as a student intern with the Fulton County Schools Communications Division during the fall semester of 2025.