Director of Exceptional Children's Program

Stephanie Lowe Ellis, Ed.S.

Contact Information: 336-627-2705 

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The Rockingham County Schools (RCS) has extensive programs to meet the needs of students with disabilities. On Dec. 1, 2016, RCS was serving 2,066 students ages 3-21 who were identified as having special needs. About 12.5% of school age students are identified.Services for students with disabilities range from minor classroom and/or therapy supports to extensive full time programs. Services are based on Individualized Education Plans (IEP) which are developed jointly by parents and school staff at least annually and outline needed services as well as any accommodations and/or modifications required in the general education class and for testing. All students are expected to progress in the general curriculum and all students must be included in any state evaluations used for student or school accountability purposes. You may access at breakdown of this information per school Here and Here for a breakdown of the number of students identified within each disability category.

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Services are provided by over 200 staff including special education teachers, special education teacher assistants, speech pathologists and assistants, psychologists, an audiologist, occupational and physical therapists and therapy assistants, an adapted physical education teacher, interpreter, as well as, curriculum coordinator, lead staff; hearing, vision, and autism consultants and secretaries.

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Students receive services in a variety of settings. RCS has model inclusive practices and provides observation sites and training for North Carolina. Inclusion is based on the belief that all students belong to the same system and that all students benefit from a unified, team approach to education.

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Although we have many inclusion programs, we also have traditional pullout and self-contained classes at some schools. A few students receive individualized alternative instruction or home bound services. Students are bused when necessary in order to receive an appropriate education program.

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RCS has partnered with the state through a special federal school improvement grant to provide a model algebra and prealgebra program to students with disabilities in inclusive classrooms; all students in these classes will benefit from this model program,teacher training, special textbooks and materials, and regular in-class consultative services.

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In addition, RCS has community based instructional services for specific high school students with disabilities where they can learn job skills directly in community sites and work towards a High School Certificate or a High School Diploma through the Occupational Course of Study.

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 All students in RCS who have identified disabilities receive free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment. Each student who qualifies for Exceptional Children’s services receives an Individualized Education Plan that is specifically tailored to their areas of need. This provides important information for individuals who work with and teach that student. Any person who has a concern about the education of a student with a disability can raise the issue in one of several ways. For example, it is always appropriate to discuss the matter with the student's teacher or principal at the local school, or it is also helpful to contact the Director of Exceptional Children Program in the central office of the school system. Your child is important to us and we want to make sure that we address your concerns. Please contact the EC Director, Stephanie Lowe Ellis at 336-627-2705 if you have a concern that was not addressed at the school level. To discuss or make a complaint about services rendered, a parent may also view the NCDPI Dispute Resolution webpage or the Parent Right and Responsibilities In Special Education Procedural Safeguards.

If parents suspect that their child may have a disability, they are encouraged to discuss their concerns with the child’s teacher(s). They may also request consideration for referral for evaluation from their principal or counselor or they may call the special education department at central office (336-627-2705). For preschool students, parents with concerns should call the special education department at central office directly.

 Inclusion

 Special Education Law requires that the first consideration for placement of students is the least restrictive environment (LRE). Thus the first consideration for any student with special needs is placement in the general education classroom or, for a preschool student, in a natural preschool setting. RCS’s commitment to inclusive practices means that we work hard to team with general education to provide the supports and instruction needed to maintain students in the general education or natural environments as much as possible.

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 Inclusion means students with and without disabilities working side by side. As opposed to mainstreaming where students are placed back into general education classes without support,inclusion involves the addition of special education and related services to the general program whereby students with and without disabilities benefit from the resultant team of educators.

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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 Policies Governing Services for Children with Disabilities Department of Public Instruction.

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For more information about Discipline Procedures, Child Find Process, and Transfer of Students- please visit the EC Staff Information Page by clicking here.

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Rockingham County Special Education Directory

Administrative Team and Specialized Assignments for Special Education Services

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The main contact number for special education services is 336-627-2705. Feel free to call the main number for any questions or information. Following is a detailed listing of special education contacts.