Section II

Is your child struggling academically?

(End-of-Year Testing, Graduation Requirements, A Sound Basic Education and Special Education)

The Problem. A good education is becoming increasingly important for people to be able to support their families. Yet, last year in North Carolina, well over 100,000 students failed to perform at grade level in one or more subjects; nearly 40 % of all 3rd through 8th graders failed to perform at grade level; and high school students failed almost 30 % of their end-of-course exams. Poor academic performance has long-term consequences. Academic failure is a leading factor that causes students to drop out of high school, and it will be harder for today’s young people to find good paying jobs and support their families if they don’t have a high school degree: students who earn a high school diploma make almost 40 % more than students who drop out. Poor academic performance may also limit a student’s ability to go to college, and a college education opens the doors to opportunity. Finally, children who don’t get a good education will not have enough knowledge, skills, and confidence to have a voice in our political system. What you can do. All children in North Carolina are entitled to a sound basic education, and some children are entitled to special education services. If you learn about these rights and how to make sure the school provides them, you can improve the quality of instruction and the educational services your child receives. This section of the Guidebook explains how you can get the school to give more help to your child if he or she is struggling academically. It contains seven Quick Guides:
  • Quick Guide: End-of Year Testing explains the statewide testing program.
  • Quick Guide: Graduation Requirements explains North Carolina’s four high school diploma pathways.
  • Quick Guide: A Sound Basic Education explains how you can request extra for your child if they failed an end-of-year test this year or are struggling academically this year.
  • Quick Guide: The Basics of Special Education (Including Definitions of Key Terms) outlines the rights children with disabilities have to receive specialized services to help them learn.
  • Quick Guide: The Special Education Process explains the process for getting your child special education services, how to challenge decisions by the school about the extent or quality of those services to your child, and provides sample letters to help you obtain quality special education services.
  • Quick Guide: Preparing for an IEP Meeting helps you make sure you are prepared for IEP meetings so you can help the IEP team give your child the exact services he or she needs.
  • Quick Guide: 504 Plans explains how children with disabilities who do not qualify for an IEP can still get accommodations from the school in the form of a 504 Plan to address their needs.