Students with Disabilities » Information for Students with IEPs

Information for Students with IEPs

Exceptional Children Program Overview
 

Mrs. Michelle Alcorn, M.Ed. 
Director of Exceptional Children
[email protected]
Mrs. Renee Rippy 
Data Manager
[email protected]
382 Main Street
Forest City, NC 28043
Phone: 828-288-2350
Fax: 828- 288-2496
 
 
MISSION STATEMENT:
 
The mission of the Exceptional Children Division is to ensure that students with disabilities develop mentally, physically, emotionally, and vocationally through the provision of an appropriate individualized education in the least restrictive environment.
 
 
 
ELIGIBILITY FOR SERVICES:
 
Within the Policies Governing Services for Children with Disabilities (Department of Public Instruction), are detailed procedures that outline the rules and regulations that Rutherford County Schools must follow for the delivery of special education services.  Services are provided under the following areas of identification:
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (AU),
  • Deaf/Blindness,
  • Deafness,
  • Developmental Delay (DD),
  • Serious Emotional Disability (SE),
  • Hearing Impairment (HI),
  • Intellectual Disability (ID),
  • Multiple Disabilities (MD),
  • Other Health Impairment (OHI),
  • Orthopedic Impairment,
  • Specific Learning Disability (SLD),
  • Speech or Language Impairment (SLI),
  • Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI),
  • Visual Impairment including Blindness (VI).
 
 
NEW RESIDENTS TO RUTHERFORD COUNTY:
 
If you are new to Rutherford County and have a child who has been receiving special education services, contact the Program Specialist of the base school in your attendance area to provide them with documentation of your child’s special needs (i.e., a copy of the student’s Individual Education Plan).  When school is not in session, you may contact:            
              
              Exceptional Children Department            
              382 W. Main Street            
              Forest City, NC 28043            
              Phone: 828.288.2350 or 828.288.2351            
              Fax: 828.288.2492

If you are concerned that your child might be in need of special education and/or related services, you should contact the EC Department.
 
 
 
 
Accessing the Parent Handbook
 
 
 
This handbook is designed to support families with the understanding of the rights and responsibilities specific to the special education process. Acronyms and terms often used in special education and resources can be found in the appendices.
 
If, at any time, you suspect your student may have a disability and is in need of special education and/or related services, you may request an evaluation, in writing, to your student’s school principal, teacher, or school's EC department.
Handbook cover
 
Complaint Process for Special Education
 
If you have a concern about your student's special education, please contact the Principal of your child's school.  If the situation does not get resolved, you may contact the EC Director at 828-288-2350.

There are two means of dispute resolution:  informal and formal.

Please click on the link for more information... http://ec.ncpublicschools.gov/parent-resources/dispute-resolution