Programs and Services

Chatham Schools Program Description

Continuum of Programs and Services – Least Restrictive Environment

Chatham County Schools provides a full continuum of services.  Students with disabilities may receive co-teaching (inclusion), pull-out special education or self-contained settings for specific needs. These decisions are made by IEP teams.

To the maximum extent appropriate, children with disabilities, including children in public or other educational facilities, are to be educated with children who are not disabled. In addition, to the maximum extent appropriate, children with disabilities are to participate with non-disabled peers in both non-academic and extracurricular activities. 

Specially Designed Instruction

Specially designed instruction is designed to meet the needs of all students with disabilities and consists of:

  • Access to the general curriculum and intervention programs

  • Full continuum of services that are provided in the least restrictive environment and may include: co-teaching (inclusion), small group classes or self-contained settings

  • Instruction in the North Carolina Standard Course of Study and North Carolina Extended Content Standards

  • Related services that may include speech, occupational and physical therapy

  • Specialized instruction for students with hearing impairments, visual impairments and physical disabilities

  • Modifications and accommodations

  • Accessible space in schools to meet the needs of students with physical disabilities 

  • Appropriate technology to support students

Service Delivery

A full continuum of services is offered in Chatham County Schools.  Individual Education Program (IEP) teams consider service delivery options based on the needs of each student. Teams may consider regular, resource or separate settings which are available at every school for students participating in the North Carolina Standard Course of Study.  Teams may also consider self-contained classes for students with significant cognitive disabilities who participate in the North Carolina Extended Content Standards.

Students with disabilities most often receive special education in one of the following educational settings: 

  • Regular Setting (general skills): Students with disabilities who receive the majority of their educational program, 80% or more of the day, with non-disabled peers.

  • Resource Setting (targeted skills): Students with disabilities who receive general education 40% - 79% of the day with non-disabled peers.

  • Separate Setting (sustained or intensive skills): Students with disabilities who receive general education 39% or less of the day with non-disabled peers.