The Department of Special Education

The Oxford School District is committed to providing a free, appropriate public education (FAPE) to students with disabilities, ages 3-21. In order to meet the unique educational needs of these students, a wide range of placement and programming options are utilized throughout the district.

To be eligible for special education services, a student must meet the eligibility criteria specified in the Mississippi State Policies Regarding Children with Individual Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) 2004 (State Board Policy 74.19) and be in need of specialized instruction and/or related services. The thirteen disability categories include:

1. Autism
2. Deaf-Blind
3. Developmental Delay
4. Emotional Disability
5. Hearing Impairment
6. Language/Speech Impairment
7. Intellectual Disability
8. Multiple Disability
9. Orthopedic Impairment
10. Other Health Impairment
11. Specific Learning disability
12. Traumatic Brain Injury
13. Visual Impairment

For further information please contact:

• Toni Bell
  Director of Special Education
  200 Bolt Boulevard
  Oxford, MS 38655
  Tel: 662-234-3541
  Fax: 662-232-2862
  Email: trbell@oxfordsd.org
• Cindy Bigham
  Assistant Director of Special Education
  200 Bolt Boulevard
  Oxford, MS 38655
  Tel: 662-234-3541
  Fax: 662-232-2862
  Email: csbigham@oxfordsd.org

Policies and Procedures

The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE), Office of Special Education (OSE) has developed Procedure Manuals (Volumes I1, II2, III3, IV4, and V5) for State Board Policy Chapter 74, Rule 74.19, State Policies Regarding Children with Disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 2004 (IDEA 2004).

Visit the Mississippi Department of Education’s website for details on Special Education policies and procedures.