EC Family Resources

Exceptional Children Programs in GCS

Provide the full continuum of services to students with disabilities based on individual needs.
Demonstrate commitment and dedication to ensure access to the general curriculum.
Develop individualized educational programs as determined by data collection.
Using researched based interventions.
Encourage parent participation in the team process.

Students with disabilities most often receive EC services in on of the following educational settings:

Regular Setting - Students with disabilities who receive the majority of their education program, 80% or more of the day, with non-disabled peers.
Resource Setting - Students with disabilities who receive general education 40% -79% of the day with non-disabled peers.
Separate Setting - Students with disabilities who receive general education 39% or less of the day with non-disabled peers. This does not include students who receive their education at public or private separate day centers or residential facilities.
Separate School - Students with disabilities who require a specially designed program at an intensive level for behavioral health and/or educational issues. Placement in a public or private separate school is determined by an IEP team.
Residential Facility - Students with disabilities, who require a more intensive level of service need treatment for disorders such as: oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, depression, bipolar, ADHD, or specific educational issues. These facilities are clinically focused and primarily provide behavior management and treatment for students with serious emotional and/or behavioral issues. Placement in a residential facility is determined by an IEP team.
Home/Hospital - Students with disabilities placed in Home/Hospital on the continuum of services within their IEPs have the opportunity to receive short term educational services in the home or a designated location. Home/Hospital education services are temporary with the goal of providing support until the student can successfully return to school. Home/Hospital instruction does NOT duplicate classroom instruction. Home/Hospital service delivery is determined by the IEP team on the basis of:
- Documented medical issues
- Documented behavioral issues
- As a result of a Long Term Suspension (LTS); OR
- As a result of a series of Short Term Suspensions that have exceeded a total of 10 days.

The North Carolina Standard Course of Study is used throughout Guilford County Schools.

At the high school level, students with disabilities may participate in the Occupational Course of Study, if appropriate.

Students with significant cognitive disabilities participate in the North Carolina Extended Content Standards.

North Carolina Parent Rights & Responsibilities in Education - English

Derechos y Responsabilidades de los Padres de Familia en Educación EspeciaL - Español

EC Frequently Asked Questions

What is an IEP?

What is the difference between an IEP and a 504?

I disagree with my child's IEP. What should I do?

Who do I contact with my concerns?

Why does my child need a re-evaluation every three years?

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires schools to reevaluate kids with IEPs at least once every three years. This is known as a triennial reevaluation or review.

The purpose of the triennial is to see if your child’s needs have changed. It’s also to see if your child still qualifies for exceptional children's services.

Parents and schools may agree not to do a triennial reevaluation, but they must do so in writing. For example, after reviewing your child’s records and progress, the IEP team might decide there’s already enough data to support continued services and set goals. In that case, a reevaluation may not be needed.

Keep in mind, though, that three years is a long time. Even if it’s clear your child is still eligible for services, their needs and abilities may have changed. A reevaluation can give the IEP team more information about what to include in their IEP.

I want to get involved. How can I help?

There are many ways for a parent or community member to get involved.

If you'd like to get involved at your child's school or any school, please contact the school directly.
If you'd like to become a Special Education Surrogate Parent or serve on the ECPAC (Exceptional Children's Parent Advisory Council), please contact Jacqui Hawkins, EC Parent Liaison at 336-370-8355 or hawkinj@gcsnc.com for more information.
If you're interested in serving on the Guilford County Council of PTAs, contact the Council President at president@guilfordcountypta.org.

Please see the Volunteers and Partnerships page for more information.

For the safety of our students, and in compliance with our Board of Education Policy 5015, volunteers who are 16 years old and older are required to register with GCS and complete a background check for any volunteer work that has the potential for unsupervised time with students.

My child needs testing accommodations. What should I do?

Beginning in Grade 3 through grade 8, all student are administered a North Carolina End of Grade test—math and reading all of the years, science in grades 5 and 8. High School students will be assessed through an End of Course assessments in the areas of: Algebra 1, Biology, and English 1. Students receiving the curriculum through the North Carolina Extended Content Standards will be assessed through a modified version of the End of Grade/End of Course tests called the North Carolina Extend 1.

Students may or may not receive accommodations. If needed, accommodations are determined by the IEP team based on the types of accommodations needed to access the North Carolina Standard Course of Study or the North Carolina Extended Content Standards. Any accommodation a student uses regularly during the student’s typical school program may or may not be eligible for use on the End of Grade/End of Course assessments.

Please consult the North Carolina Testing Accommodations website below for a full description of available accommodations.

North Carolina Testing Accommodations

New to GCS? Click here for more information for families transitioning to Guilford County

Guilford County Schools has an EC Parent Liaison to answer questions and help parents navigate the special education process. If you have any questions, please contact Jacqui Hawkins at 336-271-5180 or hawkinj@gcsnc.com

The Exceptional Children's Parent Advisory Committee shares feedback and concerns to support the needs of all students. Contact Jacqui for more information.

The Exceptional Children's Preschool Program provides special education and related services for children with disabilities, as outlined by the child's Individual Education Program (IEP).

The services can be provided in a variety of settings, depending on the child's special educational needs. Many times the services are provided in the child's natural setting, such as at home, in daycare, preschool, or a Headstart program. The EC Preschool program has special education teachers, speech therapists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists that provide special education to children in these settings. Sometimes, children with intensive needs may need to receive their special education in a special class or within a GCS facility. The program also has designated sites in the county where parents can bring their children for specialized services. The type, frequency, and location of a child's special education services are determined by the child's IEP team.

If your child was recently diagnosed, or you suspect that your child may have a disability and in need of special education and/or related services, please contact the Exceptional Children's Preschool Program at 336.294.7473

Project Child Find Brochure - English

EC Preschool FAQ

What do I do if I think my child may need special educational services through the Preschool EC Program?

What happens if my child passes the screening?

What if my child fails some or all of the screenings?

With your permission, your child will receive evaluations in the areas of concern identified as delayed during the screening process. Once the evaluations are completed, you will be asked to attend a meeting to determine if your child is eligible for special education services. If your child is eligible, an Individual Education Program (IEP) will be developed for your child.

What is the difference between Exceptional Children's Preschool Program and Guilford County School Pre-K?

The Exceptional Children's Preschool program provides special education services for children as indicated in their Individualized Education Program (IEP). Children can be eligible for these special education services beginning at age 3. The Early Learning Department can provide general education experiences for preschoolers through the GCS NC PK program. Children who are four years of age by August 31 are eligible to apply to a full day educational program including the GCS NC PK program.

What other community preschool options are available for my child?

Children who are four years of age by August 31 are eligible to apply for community preschool programs through the Partnership for Children and Guilford Child Development. Limited options for children who are three years old are available through Guilford Child Development.

Guilford Child Development’s Head Start/Early Head Start program is a comprehensive child development program at NO COST to qualified families. The income limits are based on family size and household income. Learn more about this community program here.

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