NC Education Code · NC Policy Manual
NC 1508-1 Class Size: School Age and Preschool
Plain English summary
This regulation establishes class size and caseload requirements for special education teachers, speech-language pathologists, and related services providers serving students with disabilities ages 3-21. Class sizes must be determined by factors including IEP requirements, disability severity, developmental level, and service intensity, and must comply with prescribed limits in Appendices A and B. Compliance is monitored through continuous improvement systems and waivers are required when ratios exceed prescribed limits.
Key requirements
- Local educational agencies must assure that all levels of the continuum of programs and services are available, considered and utilized for children with disabilities ages 3 through 21.
- The class size or caseload shall allow for the implementation of each assigned student's IEP that must address both academic progress and functional performance.
- The class size or caseload shall be determined by the nature and severity of the student's disability.
- The class size or caseload shall be determined by the students' developmental levels (for preschool children), ages or grade placements.
- The class size or caseload shall be determined by the type and intensity of services required by the IEP.
- The class size or caseload shall be determined by the actual number of tasks that the special education teachers/service provider must complete in addition to daily instructional activities (workload).
- The class size or caseload shall be within the prescribed requirements of Appendices A and B of this section.
- Compliance with this policy shall be monitored through the continuous improvement focused monitoring system, the LEA's Self-Assessment, and the dispute resolution process.
- Whenever the pupil-teacher ratio for a class period/caseload exceeds the requirements of this section, the class size enrollment form and request for waiver must be submitted to the Exceptional Children Division.
Affected parties
- Local educational agencies (LEAs)
- Special education teachers
- Speech-language pathologists
- Related services providers
- Students with disabilities ages 3-21
- Exceptional Children Division