Parents of children ages three to twenty-one years sometimes suspect delays in the development of speech-language, readiness, motor, social-behavior, academic, and self-help skills. Concerned parents can contact the student’s home school or Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) Exceptional Children Program to request evaluations (or re-evaluations) to be considered for Exceptional Children services.  If parents suspect only speech-language delays, they can contact CMS Exceptional Children directly to request evaluations.

What are the steps involved in this process?

• Concerned parents of school aged students enrolled in a parentally-placed private/home school should call the school to which the student would be assigned if enrolled in CMS.  The parent may also call the CMS Exceptional Children intake telephone line at 980-343-6960 (Information will be gathered and then referred to the student’s home school).
• Parents of preschool aged children should call the CMS Exceptional Children Intake telephone line at 980-343-6960 (Information will be gathered and then referred to the preschool Individualized Education
  Program (IEP) team).
• The IEP team meets with the parents to discuss their concerns.
• If the team determines an evaluation is needed, written permission for testing is obtained.  The team obtains any already completed test reports and conducts an comprehensive assessment that follows federal and state guidelines.
• The IEP team schedules a final conference with the student’s parents to discuss the evaluation results and decides whether or not special education and support services are needed.

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700 East Stonewall St.
Suite 404
Charlotte, NC 28202
Phone: 980-343-6960
Fax: 980-343-5433

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools requires the following information when starting the evaluation and
eligibility process for consideration of Exceptional Children services:

• An  original certified  copy of the child’s birth certificate
• Current immunization record
• Three copies of Mecklenburg County proof of residence, or proof of domicile (residency affidavit) or a statement of McKenney-Vinto status