Exceptional Children

Students with disabilities in the Clinton City School system receive Exceptional Children (EC) services based on the individual educational need for specially designed instruction when standard instruction with accommodation is not appropriate. The services emphasize maximum participation in typical settings for students three through twenty-one years of age. Services are provided according to the federal mandates of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and North Carolina Public School Law, Article 9 regulations as written in Procedures Governing Programs and Services for Students with Disabilities.

Students receive services in typical school settings from highly qualified professionals who receive ongoing professional development. Students receive services in varying amounts of time depending on their individual need. Amounts of service range from regular classroom and resource level instructional intervention focused on the North Carolina Standard Course of Study to full-time specially designed instruction with related services or more restrictive services such as hospital-homebound if required. All service decisions are specified in an Individualized Education Program (IEP) jointly developed by parents and school teams. Determination of the need for special education and related services is determined through a comprehensive, multi disciplinary evaluation process. The Exceptional Children's program provides necessary services and supports to students to implement the educational program and assure that students' and parents' rights are followed in this process.

If you are new to Clinton City Schools- Welcome! If you have general questions about special education feel free to contact Emily Pope, EC Program Director via email at Email Emily Pope or by phone at 910-592-3132. 

If you have a child who has been receiving special education services in another state or school system, please contact the school that your child will attend and provide the School Counselor with documentation of your child's special needs (i.e., a copy of the student's current Individualized Education Program - IEP from his/her previous school district, most recent psychoeducational report, eligibility and/or reevaluation report and contact information for your student's previous school and school district).

If your child has highly specialized needs, please feel free to contact Emily Pope, EC Director, 910-592-3132.

Questions or Comments

Emily C. Pope, EC Program Director (910) 592-3132 Ext. 1932

Dagma Marin, Administrative Assistant (910) 592-3132 Ext. 1944- Feel free to contact for information in Spanish

EC Services

Exceptional Children's Services are provided under the following categorical designations according to NC Policies Governing Services for Children with Disabilities:

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder      

  • Multiple Disabilities 

  • Deaf-Blindness 

  • Orthopedic Impairment

  • Deafness 

  • Other Health Impairment

  • Developmental Delay 

  • Specific Learning Disability

  • Emotional Disability 

  • Speech or Language Impairment

  • Hearing Impairment (Hard of Hearing) 

  • Traumatic Brain Injury

  • Intellectual Disability 

  • Visual Impairment, including blindness

disabilities

Special Olympics

Games have been cancelled for the past few years due to COVID guidelines.  We are hopeful to get back and up and running soon with this exceptional event for the students of Sampson County.

EC Conference Educator of Excellence 2022

Ms. Karesa Raynor, EC Teacher at Sunset Avenue School, represented Clinton City Schools as our 2022 Educator of Excellence during the Exceptional Children Division's 72nd Conference on Exceptional Children. Ms. Raynor was recognized for this honor during the recognition ceremony on November 3rd, 2022. Congratulations to Ms. Raynor for this very deserved honor!

Picture of Karesa Raynor, EC Conference Educator of Excellence 2022.

EC