General Information
Mission
The mission of the Exceptional Children Division is to ensure that students with disabilities develop mentally, physically, emotionally, and vocationally through the provision of appropriate individualized education in the least restrictive environment.
Eligibility
Within the Policies Governing Services for Children with Disabilities (Department of Public Instruction) are detailed procedures that outline the rules and regulations that NC public schools must follow for the delivery of special education services. Services are provided under the following areas of identification:
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For Families New to TJCA
Welcome
If you are new to TJCA and have questions about special education, please contact Pamela Bennett, EC Coordinator via email at [email protected].
In order to make your student’s transition into TJCA go smoothly, it is very important to provide your student’s new school copies of the following information during registration:
- Most recent psychoeducational report, eligibility, evaluation, and/or reevaluation report;
- Current individualized education program (IEP); and
- Contact information for your student’s previous school and school district.
These items will support a successful transition between your student’s old and new schools and
will ensure that appropriate services and supports are made available.
will ensure that appropriate services and supports are made available.
What to Expect
For out-of-state students:
Once you have shared your student’s special education records, school staff will invite you to a meeting to discuss comparable services or services similar to or the same as those provided on your student’s most recent IEP. During the meeting, school staff will also describe the initial eligibility process that occurs when students move from out of state and the timeline in which an initial North Carolina (NC) IEP will be developed.
For in-state students but new to TJCA:
School staff will begin implementing your student’s current NC on their first day of school. An invitation to review and revise your student’s IEP may be scheduled. The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss your student’s transition to a new school and to determine if any adjustments to the services and supports currently being provided are needed.
Dispute Resolution
From time to time, disagreements between families and schools may occur regarding the development and implementation of a student’s individualized education program (IEP). It is highly recommended that the following steps be considered in order to resolve differences quickly.
Local Exceptional Children Department Contact
Pamela Bennett, EC Coordinator - 828-657-9998 x7006 - [email protected]