Welcome to the Exceptional Children (EC) Department
At Charlotte Lab School, we believe that we are a service to support the learning and growth of a student. Each student that enters our doors is entitled to a quality education, in the least restrictive environment possible. We offer the full continuum of services to meet students where they are and assist with development educationally, socially, emotionally, vocationally and functionally. Our EC team works closely with our general education teachers to adapt and modify curriculum and implement evidence-based instruction. It is the goal of the EC department to establish strong collaboration with our teachers and families to successfully support students with disabilities here at Charlotte Lab School.
Students who are transferring to Lab with IEP or 504 plan from another NC school or out-of-state school will be honored and the team will work to craft their current plan to fit Lab.
If you have questions about the Exceptional Children Program at Charlotte Lab School, please contact
Julieann Dellibovi, Director of Student Services -
[email protected]
Child Find
Project child find is a part of a federal law called the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that mandates schools to locate and identify children and youth ages 3-21 with suspected disabilities who may be entitled to special education services. Charlotte Lab faculty and staff will assist in the Child Find process in the following ways;
-
If a faculty or staff suspects that a child may have a disability and that they would be entitled to receive special education and related services, they will consult with the EC coordinator at the school.
-
If faculty or staff know of a child with disabilities who is not in school or receiving services/assistance they will:
-
Give the parent/guardian a copy of the Project Child Find brochure.
-
Educate the parent/guardian about the referral process and special education and related services that may be offered if the student is found to have a disability.
-
Encourage the parent/guardian to contact the school or EC Department to request an evaluation.
-
NCDPI Child Find Brochure
Confidentiality
Faculty and staff are to maintain confidentiality at all times and ensure the protection of the confidentiality of any personally identifiable information, data and records collected and maintained by the school pursuant to Part B of IDEA and consistent with NC 1505-2.2 - NC 1505-2.18.
504 Plans
Students who are served under 504 plans will also receive those accommodations at Charlotte Lab. Accommodations through 504 plans assist students with receiving an equitable educational opportunity in the general education setting. These plans are different from individual education plan (IEP) and fall under a broader range of eligibility as these plans are under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Students who qualify for a 504 plan must:
- have a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities,
- a record of such impairment, or
- is regarded as having such an impairment.
More information regarding 504 plans can be found
here.