Exceptional Children
Dogwood Classical Academy (DCA) is a public charter school that meets the needs of all students that are registered to attend classes. DCA offers services that are comparable to that of your local public school systems, including related services. DCA services the student in the least restrictive environment that is possible for the child. It is our goal to have a diverse staff of EC professionals who are able to provide your child with the individual support they need to be successful.
Resources:
NC Department of Instruction Parent Resources (EC 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.
Policies Governing Services for Children with Disabilities
This document was produced by the NCDPI Exceptional Children Division.
What is the difference between a Section 504 Plan and an Individual Education Plan (IEP)?
This website summarizes the difference between a 504 Plan and an IEP in an easy to understand chart.
Parent Rights and Responsibilities in Special Education Handbook: English / Spanish
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.
Project Child Find
What is Project Child Find? Project Child Find is an effort effort coordinated by your local school system and the Exceptional Child Division, State Department of Public Instruction, to:
Locate and identify children and youth ages birth through 21 with disabilities who are in need of special education and related services.
Inform parents and/or guardians of the services available from their local school system and other state and community agencies.
Who Are the Children? Children and youth who have been diagnosed or are suspected to have intellectual, physical, or emotional disabilities and are unable to benefit from a regular school program without special assistance.
What Help is Available? A complete evaluation, and if appropriate:
An Individualized Education Program for children with a disability beginning at age three,
An Individual Family Service Plan for each child with a disability birth through 2, or
A referral to other agencies when needed.
Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) for Families
What is NC MTSS? Family engagement within an MTSS is defined as the active and meaningful partnerships that educators build and maintain with students' families for the purpose of supporting student learning. It embodies the idea that all parties are equally invested in the student's educational experience and all parties bring knowledge and skills of equal value to the table to work together.
NC schools that are implementing an MTSS may talk about support for students. To further define that support, NC organizes these supports around the instruction, the curriculum, and the environment.