Special Services

The Buncombe County Public Schools provide special education and related services for children ages 3 through 21 who have been determined eligible for special education services by the Individualized Education Program (IEP) team. Referral, evaluation, identification, and special education services are provided as required by the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) and the North Carolina Procedures Governing Programs and Services for Children with Disabilities.

Each school in the Buncombe County Public Schools provides special education and related services. These services are provided for students in the least restrictive environment as determined by the IEP team. School-based special education teachers and therapists provide the required services for the majority of our students. Students who require more extensive service are served through Intensive Intervention programs or through the Progressive Education Program. Special education services for preschool students with disabilities are provided in their natural environment - daycare centers, Headstart classes, or at home.

Buncombe County schools provide special education and related services for more than 3,500 students annually. Students are identified in a variety of disability categories and served through a variety of methods as required by IDEA. Emphasis has been placed on serving students with a disability within the regular classroom; however, the school system maintains a continuum of services to meet the individual needs of students.

Students with a disability participate in all aspects of public education in Buncombe County. Most of our students follow the Standard Course of Study and graduate from high school with a diploma.

Policies Governing Students w/ Disabilities

NCDPI EC Parent Resources (English/Spanish)

This handbook is designed to support families with the understanding of the rights and responsibilities specific to the special education process. Acronyms and terms often used in special education and resources can be found in the appendices.

If, at any time, you suspect your student may have a disability and possibly needs of special education and/or related services, you may request an evaluation, in writing, to your student’s school principal, teacher, or call 828-255-5972.

Parent Rights Handbook - English

Parent Rights Handbook - Spanish (DERECHOS Y RESPONSABILIDADES DE LOS PADRES DE FAMILIA)

NCDPI EC Division

North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Exceptional Children Division

The mission of the Exceptional Children Division is to ensure that students with disabilities develop intellectually, physically, emotionally, and vocationally through the provision of an appropriate individualized program in the least restrictive environment.

Multi-Tiered System of Support for Families

What is NC MTSS?
Family engagement within an MTSS is defined as the active and meaningful partnerships that educators build and maintain with students' families for the purpose of supporting student learning.  It embodies the idea that all parties are equally invested in the student's educational experience and all parties bring knowledge and skills of equal value to the table to work together.
This linked infographic is intended to support NC families in understanding what NC educators are referring to when they are talking about an MTSS.

What is "support"?
NC Schools that are implementing an MTSS may talk about support for students.  To further define that support, NC organizes these supports around the instruction, the curriculum, and the environment.  This linked infographic is intended to promote understanding and conversations around how school teams are providing these supports to all, some, and a few students based on needs.