Resources for Families and Students

Parent Resources

The research is clear on parent involvement: when parents are involved in their children’s education, students have higher grades/test scores/graduation rates, better school attendance, increased motivation, better self-esteem, lower rates of suspension, decreased use of drugs/alcohol, and fewer instances of violent behavior. The Office of Exceptional Children (OEC) works diligently to collaborate with parents, provide information to parents, provide information on parent involvement to PSUs, and support parent involvement in their children’s education. The information within the parent resources pages are available to assist you in supporting your child.

Subscribe to the Parent and Family Updates newsletter by registering with the Exceptional Children Information for Parents listserv.

 

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These documents are intended to help families understand various aspects of Special Education in North Carolina. If you have questions, please reach out to the EC Director in your district or contact the Parent Liaison with the EC Division.

NC Notice of Procedural Safeguards

It is important that you understand the Procedural Safeguards (legal rights) provided for you and your child with a disability. In this document, you will find a new section in more user-friendly language that summarizes the rights and responsibilities of parents in the special education process. Acronyms and terms often used in special education and resources for parents are found in the appendices.

Exceptional Children's Assistance Center (ECAC)

ECAC is a private, nonprofit parent organization committed to improving the lives and education of ALL children, through a special emphasis on children with disabilities and special healthcare needs. ECAC serves as North Carolina’s Parent Training & Information Center or PTI, which is a federally funded program through the US Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). ECAC's parent educators help NC families navigate systems such as early intervention, special education and the transition to adulthood and provide families with information and resources to help them make informed decisions, to communicate effectively and to become their child’s best advocate in school, the community and in life. All services to families are provided at no cost. 

Online National & Statewide Resources

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The Council on Educational Services for Exceptional Children

Purpose

The Council on Educational Services for Exceptional Children (Council) is established as an Advisory Council to the State Board of Education. Its establishment is set forth in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) federal regulations in §§ 300.167-300.169 and the North Carolina General Statutes in §115C-121.

The Council advises the State Board of Education with respect to the unmet needs of children with special needs and in the development and implementation of policies related to the coordination of services for students with disabilities. The Council also advises the State Board of Education with respect to developing evaluations, reporting on data, and developing corrective action plans to address findings in federal monitoring reports.


 

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Duties

  • Advise the State Board of Education with respect to unmet needs within the State in the education of children with disabilities;
  • Comment publicly on rules and policies proposed by the State Board of Education regarding the education of children with disabilities;
  • Advise the State Board of Education in developing evaluations and reporting on data to the Secretary of Education;
  • Advise the State Board or Education in developing corrective action plans to address findings identified in Federal monitoring reports;
  • Advise the State Board of Education in developing and implementing policies relating to the coordination of services for children with disabilities;
  • Carry out any other responsibility as designated by federal law or the State Board of Education.

Membership

The Council shall consist of a minimum of 24 members.  Currently, the Council consists of 25 members - 20 appointees and 5 ex-officio.   Members are appointed by the Governor, President Pro Tem of the Senate, Speaker of the House, and the State Board of Education. Appointees represent individuals with disabilities from the ranks of parents, teachers, higher education, public and private schools, business/vocational community, and charter schools.   A majority of representatives shall be persons with disabilities or parents of children with disabilities

Terms of Service

  • State Board of Education appointees serve 4 years
  • All other appointees serve 2 years
  • Council members serve without pay
  • Council members receive travel allowances
  • Council members serve not more than two consecutive four-year terms

Bylaws

By Laws- Updated 2016

Information

Council on Educational Services for Exceptional Children with Members updated 05/2024

The Council on Educational Services for Exceptional Children (CESEC)

Vision Statement

As a diverse representation of stakeholders, the CESEC informs and advises the State Board of Education (SBE) on policies and matters relating to improving the educational outcomes for students with disabilities in North Carolina.

Public Comment Procedure

Public comments are an essential and necessary part of CESEC fulfilling its role to advise the State Board of Education with respect to the unmet needs of children with special needs in the state of North Carolina. Stakeholders are encouraged to submit written comments at any time or attend the CESEC’s quarterly meetings and register for public comment. Thirty minutes will be reserved on the CESEC agenda for public input at each meeting. Additional time may be added at the discretion of the Chairperson.

General guidelines for public input:
  • Public comment may be made verbally (in person) or in written form including email to CESEC. Priority will be given to in person comments. Written comments will be read by the Chairperson in the order they are received. All written comments will be documented.
  • Public comment is limited to no more than five minutes per person in the first thirty minutes of the afternoon session. Sign-in must occur by 10:30 am.
  • Written comments should be sent to CESEC Email or Johanna Laynch, Office of Exceptional Children, 6356 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-6356 by 4pm, 10 business days prior to the regularly scheduled CESEC meeting. See the Upcoming Meetings link below.
  • Comments should be focused on relevant topics to the mission of CESEC. No solicitation is allowed. The public comment opportunity is not a forum for vendors to market goods or services. It is for individuals to share concerns and successes that could help shape future direction in the accomplishment of the Council’s mission which is stated below:

The CESEC is established as an Advisory Council to the State Board of Education. Its establishment is set forth in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) federal regulations in §§ 300.167-300.169 and the North Carolina General Statutes in §115C-121. The mission of CESEC is to advise the State Board of Education with respect to the unmet needs of children with special needs and in development and implementation of policies related to the coordination of services for disabled students; advise the SBE with respect to development of evaluations and reporting on data, and developing corrective action plans to address findings in federal monitoring comments.

  • All public comments will be taken under advisement by CESEC but will not receive verbal or written response.
  • Public comments will be summarized in the minutes of the meeting.
  • The Council will review public comments and decide on appropriate action, if any, according to the Council’s mission.
Making Public Comment in Person:
  • A sign-in sheet will be available at the registration table. All those wishing to speak must sign-in. The Chairperson will call on individuals based on the order of sign-in.
  • When called upon please state your name, county of residence and subject matter.
  • Comments should be factual, objective and related to the mission of CESEC.
  • Maintain confidentiality and privacy standards: Do not mention the personal names of students or school staff.
  • Members of CESEC shall not interrupt the speaker during the allotted five minutes of time. The Chairperson may interrupt the speaker if there is a concern that public comment procedure and/or privacy or other laws are being violated.
Submitting Written Public Comment
  • Any individual may submit a written comment via written letter or email to be signed in and read by the Chairperson and/or distributed at the quarterly CESEC meeting during the public comment period. Written comments may be up to 600 words.
  • All written comments must be received by at CESEC Email or Johanna Lynch, Office of Exceptional Children, 6356 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-6356 by 4 pm, 10 business days prior to the quarterly CESEC meeting. Any comments submitted after that time will be read and/or distributed at a later date.
  • Written comment must include the name, address, email address if available, and county of residence of the individual submitting the comment.
  • Written comments should be factual, objective and related to the mission of the CESEC.
  • Written comments must maintain confidentiality and privacy standards.

If special assistance is needed to participate in the public comment period, every effort will be made to provide the appropriate accommodation. When requesting accommodations for public comment, please allow no less than 10 business days’ notice prior to the scheduled meeting. Contact the CESEC at CESEC Email or Johanna Lynch, Office of Exceptional Children, 6356 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-6356 or (984) 236-2574

Upcoming Meetings

Council meetings are held four times a year and are open to the public.

*Please note that meetings will only be held virtually until further notice due to changes within the Education Building.


Location:


State Board of Education Room, 7th Floor
Department of Public Instruction
301 North Wilmington Street
Raleigh, NC 


Time:
9:30 am - 4:00 pm
 
Meetings 2024