Parent Rights & Responsibilities in Special Education
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 LEAs, 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.
- Archived Parent Newsletters
- Directions to Signup for the EC Parent Newsletter
- Comó registrarse en el EC Listserv para padres
Informational Documents for Families
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. List of EC Directors.
- Referral Meeting - Reunión de Inicial
- Eligibility Meeting - Reunión de Elegibilidad
- IEP Meeting - Reunión del IEP
- Reevaluation Meeting - Reunión de Reevaluación
- Early Childhood Transitions in North Carolina: A Parent's Guide to the Infant-Toddler and Preschool Programs
Parent Rights & Responsibilities in Special Education: 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.
Parent Survey
Parents: please take a moment to complete this survey. This is the annual survey of parents of children receiving special education. Just scan the QR code and it will take you to the survey. Thanks in advance for your help!
