Exceptional Children

Gaston County Schools high school programs serve students with varying disabilities and educational needs. Each eligible student has an
Individualized Education Program (IEP) team, which in collaboration with the child’s parent or guardian, formulates an IEP.

The IEP is used to design a program of instruction for each identified student. These programs include but are not limited to: co-teaching in the regular education classroom, direct instruction in small group settings, the Occupational Course of Study, and the Extensions to the Common Core.

Exceptional Children services at the high school level are provided specially designed instruction aligned to the student’s IEP by a highly qualified and licensed EC teacher. Services at the high school level may be provided via a co-teaching model, pull-out, or resource model. The co-teaching model would typically be utilized in either an ELA or Math class where both the regular education and the EC teacher are present and work collaboratively to provide specially designed instruction for students based on their IEP. In a pull-out or resource model, students are served in the EC classroom where EC teachers provide explicit, direct instruction based on student needs. Students who require more intensive support can be served through the Occupational Course of Study program or through the Extended Content Standards. These programs lead to
differentiated diplomas and certificates. Please remember that EC services and plans are governed by federal and state laws and certain criteria have to be met for services to be delivered.