Pre-Kindergarten

The Hoke County School's preschool provides a continuum of Exceptional Children's specially designed instruction and related services.  The preschool diagnostic team works with families, conducts referrals, evaluations, and determines eligibility for special education services. Students currently identified for services receive services in a variety of ways, including school-based and itinerant services.

In North Carolina, special education preschool (EC PK) services are available for children ages 3 to 5 years old with developmental delays or disabilities that require specialized instruction to progress in the curriculum. Eligibility is based on an Individualized Education Program (IEP) team's determination of a delay after parental consent and evaluation, not income. To start the process for a child suspected of needing special education services, you can contact the EC PreK office.  

• Individualized Education Program (IEP): A personalized plan is developed for each child to address their unique needs. 
• Specialized Instruction: Services are designed to help children with disabilities progress in their learning. 
• Developmental Domains: Services cover areas such as speech, cognitive, social-emotional, physical, and adaptive skills. 
• Variety of Settings: Services can be provided in various environments, including public schools, Head Start, and childcare settings.

• Contact the Hoke County Schools PreK Office: If you have concerns about your child’s development, you may contact: 
  • Diana Griffith-Smalls at diana.griffithsmall@hcs.k12.nc.us or (910) 875-8009    
  • Express your concern that your child may have a disability and needs special education services to their preK teacher to request a referral.
• Parental Consent and Evaluation: The school will work with you to schedule an evaluation to determine eligibility. 
• Develop an IEP: If your child is found eligible, an IEP team will create an individualized education program with goals and services. 

Services can be provided in a variety of settings depending upon each child’s needs.  Settings include:

• Itinerant teacher services in homes, child care centers, regular state or federal preschool classrooms, or service provider location
• Developmental Day Center
• Special education classrooms
• Speech Therapy
• Learning Hubs

By the age of 3 years, MOST children are able to:
-show affection for playmates 
-use 4 to 5 word sentences
-imitate adults and playmates
-play make-believe with dolls and/or people
-know their name
-are toilet trained
-play games; take turns

By the age of 4 year, MOST children are able to:
-use 5 to 6 word sentences
-follow 3 step commands (“Get dressed, brush your hair and wash your face.”)
-Cooperate with other children

• What is covered by confidentiality protections?
  • Confidentiality protections cover your child's "educational records," which include any records, data, and information related to their special education services and personal identity that are collected, maintained, or used by the school or agency. This information includes but is not limited to: 

• Evaluation and assessment reports
• Individualized Education Program (IEP) documents
• Progress reports
• Discipline records
• Attendance information 

• Who has access to my child's records?
  • Parents: You have the right to inspect and review any education records relating to your child.
  • "Eligible students": When a student turns 18 or attends a postsecondary institution, the rights under FERPA transfer from the parent to the student.
  • School staff with a "legitimate educational interest": This includes school officials and employees who are directly involved with your child's education, such as a special education teacher, current classroom teacher, or the principal. Staff without a direct educational interest in your child do not have access. 
• What are my rights as a parent?
  • Right to inspect and review records: You can request to see and receive copies of your child's records. Schools must comply within a reasonable time, generally no more than 45 days.
  • Right to request amendments: If you believe information in your child's record is inaccurate, misleading, or violates their privacy, you have the right to request that the school amend the record.
  • Right to written consent: Except for limited exceptions, the school must obtain your signed and dated written consent before disclosing personally identifiable information from your child's record to outside parties.
  • Right to understand records: School staff must explain and interpret your child's records for you upon request.
  • Right to dispute a decision: If a school refuses to amend a record, you can challenge that decision.
  • Right to a list of disclosures: You can see a list of who has accessed your child's records and their reason for doing so.
  • Right to observe in the classroom: FERPA does not prevent you from observing your child in a classroom. However, schools can set reasonable rules for observation, such as requiring prior notice.
  • Right to be informed of state policies: You have the right to know your state's policies on the collection, storage, disclosure, and destruction of personally identifiable information. 
• How is confidentiality protected?
  • Secure storage: The school must maintain records in a secure location, using physical or technological access controls to prevent unauthorized access.
  • Professional discussion: Discussions about confidential information must occur in private settings, not in hallways, staff lounges, or other places where others could overhear.
  • "Need to know" basis: School staff are only allowed to access information relevant to their role in your child's education. 
• What about sharing information outside the school?
  • Written consent is required: Before a school can share information with an outside party (such as a social services agency or a private therapist), you must provide written consent specifying what information can be shared and with whom.
  • Exceptions to consent: Certain parties, such as authorized auditors or other schools in which the student is enrolling, may access records without your consent, but schools must still keep a record of these disclosures. 
• What are FERPA and IDEA, and how do they apply?
  • FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act): A federal law that protects the privacy of students' education records. It grants parents specific rights regarding their children's records.
  • IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act): A federal law that ensures children with disabilities receive a Free Appropriate Public Education. The confidentiality provisions of IDEA incorporate and build upon the privacy protections of FERPA. For preschoolers in early childhood special education, the Part B regulations of IDEA apply, incorporating FERPA safeguards.