Our Mission

Lincoln County Schools Programs for Exceptional Children is dedicated to ensure all students with a disability will have support for the development of social, emotional, and academic potential of the whole child by identifying needs to access their knowledge, skills, and services through the provision of an appropriate individualized education in the least restrictive environment.

Programs for Exceptional Children       

• 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.
• Provide information about the implementation of  service delivery models through Individualized Education Program Team Planning 
• Develop individualized student plans as determined by data collection.
• Apply researched based interventions and methodology.
• Encourage parent participation in the team process of individual program development as well as involvement in school-related activities.

Do you know what curriculum is used in classes for students with disabilities?

The North Carolina Standard Course of Study is used throughout Lincoln County Schools. Exceptional Children teachers use a variety of methods and strategies to help students make progress in the curriculum, including co-teaching with general education teachers.   At the high school level, students with disabilities may participate in the Occupational Course of Study, a pathway leading to a North Carolina diploma.

Students with significant cognitive disabilities participate in the Extended Content Standards of the North Carolina Standard Course of Study.  This curriculum teaches the essential elements of the traditional course of study while also emphasizing the acquisition of functional skills.

The Exceptional Children's Program

Lincoln County Schools Exceptional Children's Program provides special education and related services to children with disabilities. State and federal regulations governing these programs and services are strictly adhered to so that the most appropriate and least restrictive environments are provided for children with special needs. These policies are mandates of the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004) and regulations of the North Carolina Public School Law, Article 9.

Lincoln County Schools serves over 1657 exceptional children, ages 3- 21. The district provides a continuum of services to meet their individual learning needs. Whenever possible students are served in their school based attendance area with support from special education and related services and/or building modifications.

Exceptional children receive special education and related services in a variety of settings including the regular classroom, resource class, self-contained class, and other specialized programs based on the least restrictive environment. For those students who require a separate setting or more intensive services to benefit from special education, programs are clustered geographically but continue to be based on school campuses that house age appropriate peers. The Developmental Day preschool program, A Place To Grow, is located at the Popular Street site.

The rules and regulations for eligibility and services are detailed in NC Policies Governing Services For Children With Disabilities from the NC Department of Public Instruction Exceptional Children Division. Services are provided under the following areas of identification which can be found under Areas of Exceptionality.

Exceptional Children Program staff are responsible for providing information and assistance to school personnel who are responsible for assuring that all procedures that apply to children with disabilities are implemented accordingly. Exceptional Children Program personnel monitor specific school practices to include maintenance of student records, special education teacher/pupil ratio, and disciplinary policies. In addition, staff provides training to school personnel on laws and regulations pertaining to special education and effective classroom practices. Exceptional Children Program personnel consult with parents regarding a variety of areas such as Child Find activities, specific disabilities, community resources, or concerns about their child’s education.