Special Education Services

Special Education Services of Greenville County Schools provides a free appropriate public education to all children with disabilities in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Act. Special education students are served by a faculty and staff of over 800 teachers, therapists and other specialists who are trained to provide state-of-the-art instruction and assistance designed to meet individual needs of children identified as having disabilities.

Greenville special educators comprise a cohesive team of professionals who work collaboratively and individually to address the unique learning needs of students who qualify for services.

Mission

The mission of Special Education Services is to help schools and families educate students with disabilities.

Goals

• To develop a partnership between regular and special education thereby fostering the integration of disabled students in the school community
• To identify students with disabilities accurately and consistently
• To support and include individuals with disabilities in the regular education program to the maximum extent appropriate
• To improve the quality of instruction provided for students with disabilities by both regular and special education personnel
• To insure that due process procedures are carried out throughout the district

Categories of Disability and Services

Definitions of Special Education Classifications

• Autism
• Deafness
• Deaf-Blindness
• Hearing Impairment
• Intellectual Disability
• Developmental Delay
• Multiple Disabilities
• Orthopedic Impairment
• Other Health Impairment
• Emotional Disturbance
• Specific Learning Disability
• Speech or Language Impairment
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Visual Impairment, including Blindness

Parent Handbook to Special Education (Spanish)- Your rights as parents regarding Special Education (Full Explanation of Procedural Safeguards)

Innovative Programming

Special education programs are based upon innovative research and are supported by federal, state and local funds. Additional support derives from grants elicited collaboratively with neighboring universities, regional centers of excellence and other agencies. Our students benefit from genetic, developmental pediatric and mental health services which are provided by numerous private and public agencies in the area.

Early Childhood Intervention Services

The School District also participates in the Center for Developmental Services (CDS), which provides services and support for families with developmental issues. CDS is a multi-disciplinary center for the developmental evaluation, treatment and education of children and adolescents, with specialized services for adults.

Research and experience clearly document that children with disabilities benefit most when identified and served early in life. The School District of Greenville County demonstrates a commitment to a good start for our very youngest children by providing comprehensive early childhood identification and intervention services beginning at 2 1/2 years. The district Child Find initiative elicits referrals from parents, community agencies, health care providers and nursery and preschool teachers.

Least Restrictive Environment

We are committed to educating disabled students in regular classes to the maximum extent appropriate. School multidisciplinary teams give careful consideration to the design and implementation of effective Individual Education Programs. In addition, the district provides a full continuum of special education program models:

• Consultative
• Itinerant
• Regular Class with Support Services
• Self-Contained Classes
• Special Schools
• Medical Homebound
• Hospital
• Residential