NC 1501-3.2 Continuum of Alternative Placements

Plain English summary

Each LEA must maintain a continuum of alternative educational placements for children with disabilities, ranging from regular classes to home instruction and institutional settings. For preschool children, specific placement options are enumerated including regular early childhood programs, separate special education settings, service provider locations, and home instruction. Supplementary services such as resource room or itinerant instruction must also be available alongside regular class placement.

Key requirements

• Each LEA must ensure that a continuum of alternative placements is available to meet the needs of children with disabilities for special education and related services.
• The continuum must include instruction in regular classes, special classes, special schools, home instruction, and instruction in hospitals and institutions.
• The continuum must make provision for supplementary services (such as resource room or itinerant instruction) to be provided in conjunction with regular class placement.
• For preschool children, the continuum includes: Regular early childhood program; Special education program provided in a separate class, separate school, residential facility; Service provider location; or Home instruction.

Affected parties

• Local Education Agencies (LEAs)
• Children with disabilities
• Preschool children with disabilities
• Special education administrators
• Parents of children with disabilities

Official source

https://www.dpi.nc.gov/documents/publications/catalog/ec144-policies-governing-services/open#page=28