Exceptional Children's Services
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Program Description
Students with disabilities in the Cumberland County School System receive Exceptional Children’s (EC) services based on the educational need for specially designed instruction when standard instruction with modification is not effective. The services emphasize maximized participation in typical settings for students three through twenty-one years of age.Students receive services in typical school settings from highly qualified professionals, in varying amounts of time depending on individual needs. Amounts of service range from minimal modification of the North Carolina Standard Course of Study to full-time specially designed instruction with related services. All service decisions are specified in an Individualized Education Program (IEP) jointly developed by parents and school teams. Determination of the need for specially designed instruction is determined through a comprehensive, multidisciplinary evaluation process.
Whenever possible, students are served in schools within their home attendance area or in schools of choice with support from special education personnel and related service providers. For those students who must have a specialized setting or more intensive services in order to benefit from their special education, programs are clustered geographically but continue to be based on school campuses that house age-appropriate peers. The assignment is completed by the Exceptional Children’s office, based on the closest class to home attendance school.
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Statement of Understanding Disclaimer
Learn more about the understanding of the parent/guardian upon enrollment to our Cumberland Virtual Academies.
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Services
Exceptional Children’s Services are provided under the following categorical designations:
Autism Spectrum Disorder Other Health Impairment
Serious Emotional Disability Orthopedic Impairment
Deafness-Blindness Speech/Language Impairment
Hearing Impairment Visual Impairment
Developmental Delay Traumatic Brain Injury
Multiple-Disabilities Intellectual Disability (Mild, Moderate, and Severe)
Specific Learning Disabilities
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Newcomers
If you are new to Cumberland County and have a child who has been receiving special education services, contact the school in your attendance area and provide them with documentation of your child’s special needs (i.e., a copy of the student’s Individualized Education Program). When school is not in session, you may contact the EC Instructional Building by calling 910-484-3391.
If you are concerned that your child might be in need of special education and/or related services, you should contact your school principal, Student Services Team, or school Exceptional Children’s case teacher.
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Exceptional Children’s Personnel
Exceptional Children’s Personnel are responsible for providing information and assistance to school personnel who are responsible for assuring that all procedures that apply to students with disabilities are implemented according to the intent and letter of the law. In addition, the staff provides training to school personnel on laws/policies and effective classroom practice. Exceptional Children’s Personnel also consults with parents who need information about specific disabilities, community resources, or have concerns about their child’s education.
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Child Find
If you have concerns that your child or child you work with may be a child with a disability who requires special education services please contact your child’s school and ask to speak with your Exceptional Children’s Case Teacher or Principal.
