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Exceptional Children

Student Support

Supporting Every Learner

The Hawbridge School is committed to ensuring that students with disabilities receive individualized services, support, and educational opportunities.

These services are designed to help students grow intellectually, physically, emotionally, and vocationally while participating fully in the Hawbridge community.

North Carolina Exceptional Children Division

The mission of the Exceptional Children Division is to ensure that students with disabilities develop intellectually, physically, emotionally, and vocationally through the provision of an appropriate individualized program in the least restrictive environment.

Visit the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Exceptional Children Division

Child Find

Child Find is the process used to identify, locate, and evaluate students who may have a disability and may need special education or related services.

What Is Child Find?

Child Find is a statewide effort coordinated by local school systems and the Exceptional Children Division of the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Federal and state special education laws require public schools to identify, locate, and evaluate children who are suspected of having a disability. This responsibility applies even when a student is advancing from grade to grade or has not previously received special education services.

In addition to identifying students who may qualify for services, Child Find helps inform parents and guardians about resources available through their local school system and other state and community agencies.

Who May Be Referred?

A referral may be appropriate for a child or young adult who is suspected of having a disability that affects learning, communication, behavior, physical development, social-emotional development, or access to education.

Child Find may include eligible students who:

  • Attend a public school.
  • Attend a private or religious school.
  • Are educated at home.
  • Are highly mobile or experiencing homelessness.
  • Are advancing from grade to grade but may still need support.
  • Are suspected of having a disability, regardless of the severity of the disability.

What Help Is Available?

When a student is referred, the school works with the family to review available information and determine whether an evaluation is needed. An evaluation may include information about the student’s academic skills, communication, behavior, physical development, social-emotional development, and other areas related to the suspected disability.

Depending on a child’s age and individual needs, services may include:

  • A comprehensive evaluation.
  • An Individualized Education Program (IEP) for eligible children beginning at age three.
  • An Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) for eligible children from birth through age two.
  • Are highly mobile or experiencing homelessness.
  • Referrals to other state or community agencies when appropriate.

For further information regarding Child Find, or if you suspect your student may have a disability and need special education and/or related services, please contact:

Learn more about Child Find and North Carolina special education policies

Parent Rights & Responsibilities

Families are important members of the team throughout the special education process. Parents and guardians have the right to participate in meetings, review educational records, receive written notice of proposed decisions, provide or withhold consent when required, and ask questions about their student’s services.

The North Carolina Notice of Procedural Safeguards is designed to support families in understanding the rights and responsibilities specific to the special education process. Acronyms, terms frequently used in special education, and additional resources can be found in the handbook appendices.

Parent Rights & Responsibilities in Special Education: North Carolina Notice of Procedural Safeguards

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 from your student’s school principal, teacher, or Exceptional Children Department.

Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) for Families

A Multi-Tiered System of Support, commonly called MTSS, is a framework schools use to identify student needs and provide appropriate academic, behavioral, and social-emotional support.

MTSS is not a single program or class. It is a school-wide process that uses instruction, intervention, assessment, and collaboration to help students receive the level of support they need.

Tier 1: Core Instruction and Support for All Students

Tier 1 includes high-quality classroom instruction, positive behavioral expectations, and social-emotional supports available to every student. Teachers monitor student progress and adjust instruction based on student needs.

Tier 2: Targeted Support

Tier 2 provides additional, targeted instruction or intervention for students who need more support than is available through core classroom instruction alone. These supports may be provided individually or in small groups for a specific period of time.

Tier 3: Intensive, Individualized Support

Tier 3 provides more intensive and individualized intervention for students with significant or continuing needs. The school monitors the student’s response closely and uses the results to guide instructional decisions.

How Families Participate

Families are valuable partners in the MTSS process. Parents and guardians may share information about their student, ask what supports are being provided, review progress-monitoring information, and discuss whether changes may be needed.

Participation in MTSS does not prevent a parent or guardian from requesting an evaluation for special education services at any time.

Explore North Carolina MTSS resources for families

Dispute Resolution

From time to time, disagreements between families and schools may occur regarding the identification, evaluation, placement, services, or implementation of a student’s Individualized Education Program, or IEP.

Families and school staff are encouraged to address concerns as early and collaboratively as possible. The following steps can help families understand where to begin and what options may be available.

  1. Begin with direct communication.

    Discuss the concern with the student’s teacher, case manager, or other staff member who works directly with the student. Sharing specific questions and examples can help the team better understand the concern.

  2. Contact the Director of Exceptional Children.

    If the concern is not resolved, contact Jennifer Kelly, Director of Exceptional Children. She can help review the concern, explain the special education process, and identify possible next steps.

  3. Request an IEP team meeting when appropriate.

    A parent or guardian may request a meeting of the student’s IEP team to discuss concerns, review information, and consider whether changes to the student’s program or services may be needed.

  4. Consider formal dispute-resolution options.

    When concerns cannot be resolved locally, families may have access to formal options through the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. These options may include facilitated IEP meetings, mediation, a formal state complaint, or a due process hearing.

The appropriate option depends on the nature of the concern. Families may review the North Carolina Notice of Procedural Safeguards for a complete explanation of their rights and available procedures.

Review North Carolina parent resources and procedural safeguards

For questions or assistance, please contact Jennifer Kelly, Director of Exceptional Children, at jkelly@hawbridgeschool.org.

Family Resources

These state resources provide additional information about special education, family rights, Child Find, MTSS, policies, and services for students with disabilities.

Meet Our Exceptional Children Team

Our Exceptional Children teachers, instructional assistants, and support staff work collaboratively to provide individualized services that help students grow academically, socially, and emotionally.