The Wake County Public School System provides special education and related services according to the federal mandates of the Individual with Disabilities Act and the regulations of the North Carolina Public School Law, Article 9.

By the fall of 2000, the Wake County Public School System was serving over 14,000 students with special needs, ages 3- 21. The school system provides a continuum of service to meet the individual needs. of learners. Whenever possible students are served in schools in their base attendance area or in schools of choice with support from special education and related services and/or building modifications.

For those students who must have a separate setting or more intensive services in order to benefit from their special education, programs are clustered geographically but continue to be based on school campuses that house age appropriate peers.

Eligibility for Special Services

The Public Schools of North Carolina, Exceptional Children Division provides local units with detailed procedures for the delivery of special education services. These rules and regulations are detailed in Policies Governing Services For Children With Disabilities, Department of Public Instruction.

Services are provided under the following areas of identification:

Autism Spectrum Disorder
Deaf/Blindness
Deaf
Developmental Delay
Serious Emotional Disability
Hearing Impairment
Intellectual Disability

Multiple Disabilities
Other Health Impairment
Orthopedic Impairment
Specific Learning Disability
Speech/Language Impairment
Traumatic Brain Injury
Visual Impairment

Notes to Newcomers

If you are new to Wake County and have a child who has been receiving special education services, contact the base school in your attendance area and provide them with documentation of your child's special needs (i.e., a copy of the student's Individualized Education Program) When school is not in session, you may contact Special Education Services, 110 Corning Road, Suite 2600, Cary, NC 27518, or call 919-858-3149.

To contact Preschool Services please call 919-431-7557. For Child Find/Referrals please call 919-431-7700.

If you are concerned that your child might be in need of special education and /or related services, you should contact your school principal.

Special Education Services Personnel

Special Education Services staff is responsible for providing information and assistance to school personnel who are responsible for assuring that all procedures that apply to students with disabilities are implemented according to the intent and letter of the law. Special Education Services personnel monitor specific school practices to include maintenance of student records, special education teacher/pupil ratio, and disciplinary policies. In addition, the staff provides training to school personnel on laws and regulations and effective classroom practice. Special Education Services personnel consult with parents who need information about specific disabilities, community resources or have concerns about their child’s education.