Special Education

Special Education

Literacy & Numeracy 

Determined by Special Education plan (IEP) 

Credit: 1 credit 

Literacy & Numeracy is an elective offered to assist students with improving math, reading and written expression skills. Curriculum focuses on executive function skills in the areas of study skills, organization, self-advocacy, and career orientation. It also provides support with regular education courses as needed. 

South Carolina Credential Employability Program 

The Essentials curriculum focuses on academic, functional, and employment skills with an emphasis placed on the competencies and skills needed to prepare students for productive and independent living. To qualify, students must have an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Following the completion of these courses and upon exiting high school, students will receive the South Carolina High School Credential. These courses do not lead to a high school diploma. 

Essentials in English 

Credit: 1 credit for each course 

Grades 9-12 

Students need 4 units for program completion 

Essentials course will focus on skills necessary for daily living and the work of work. Students will acquire functional academic skills that parallel to the state standards in English with a focus on real-world application. There is a strong focus on developing literacy skills which are needed to gain meaning from a variety of texts and other mediums through analysis and application. Students will study real-world vocabulary necessary for independent living and employment. Students will write for a variety of tasks, purposes, and audiences and communicate effectively with others in both daily living and employment settings. 

Essentials in Math 

Credit: 1 credit for each course 

Grades 9-12 

Students need 4 units for program completion 

Essentials courses will focus on skills necessary for daily living and the work of work. Students will acquire functional academic skills that parallel to the state standards in mathematics with a focus on real-world application. These courses focus on the development of the student’s ability to understand and apply mathematics to real-world situations using a variety of mathematics tools and develop real-world problem-solving skills. There is a focus on developing skills related to personal finance and independent living. 

Essentials in Science 

Credit: 1 credit for each course 

Grades 11

Students need 2 units for program completion 

Essentials in Science courses are aligned to the SC College and Career Ready Biology and Physical Science Standards. These courses will include instruction in the practices of science and engineering, allowing students to engage in problem solving, decision making, critical thinking, and applied learning. Students enrolled in this course will participate in laboratory exercises with hands-on investigation. 

Essentials in Social Studies 

Credit: 1 credit for each course 

Grades 9

Students need 2 units for program completion 

Essentials in Social Studies course are aligned to the SC College and Career Ready US History and Constitution, US Government and Economics. These courses focus on local state, and federal government and the economic as it relates to consumers and procedures. Student will apply the information learned in this course to real-world situations. Students will develop an understanding of the US Constitution and their rights and responsibilities. 

Employability Education I- Career Awareness and Exploration

Credit: 1 credit for each course 

Grade 10

The Employability Education I course is designed for students to explore interests, research careers, create resumes, practice interview skills, and conduct informational interviews and job shadows. This course is designed to introduce students to the fundamental attitudes, behaviors, and habits needed to obtain and maintain employment and make career advancements. Students will participate in school-based learning activities including work ethic development, job-seeking skills, decision-making skills, and self-management. Students will begin a career portfolio as part of the requirements for the South Carolina High School.  Formal career planning and development of knowledge regarding transition planning begins in this course and continues throughout the strand of the employability education courses. 

Employability Education II- Advanced Awareness and Exploration 

Credit: 1 credit for each course 

Grade 11

The Employability Education II course is designed to develop skills generic to all career majors; resource management, communication, interpersonal relationships, technology, stamina, endurance, safety, mobility skills, motor skills, teamwork, sensory skills, problem solving, cultural diversity, information acquisition/management, and self-management. This course content is focused on providing students with a repertoire of basic skills that will serve as a foundation for future career application. Students will expand their school-based learning activities to include school-based job shadowing and work-based learning activities. Job seeking skills also will be refined. Students may be involved in on-campus vocational training activities such as school-based enterprises, hands-on vocational training in career education courses and the operation of school-based enterprises. Additionally, the course will continue the focus on the development of self-determination skills as well as the career portfolio 

Employability Education III- Career Development 

Credit: 1 credit for each course 

Grade 12

The Employability Education III course is designed to continue the development and begin the application of employability skills. Work-based learning activities are provided including school-based enterprises, community-based training, job shadowing, job sampling, internships, situational assessment and apprenticeships. These work-based activities allow students to apply employability skills to a variety of employment settings and demonstrate the effectiveness of their work personality. Multiple opportunities for leadership and self-determination development are provided. 

Employability Education IV- Advanced Career Development 

Credit: 1 credit for each course 

Grade 12

The Employability Education IV course gives students the opportunity to synthesize all the skills acquired in previous employability preparation courses and apply them to their personal career choice. This course allows students to solve work-related problems, practice self-advocacy skills and master the theoretical and practical aspects of their career choice. Students finish completing the 360 hours of work-based learning/ training opportunities that are required for successful completion of the South Carolina High School Credential Course of Study. Students will complete the career portfolio that provides an educational and vocational record of their credential experience. 

Essentials of Technology

Credit: 1 credit

Grades 11-12 

The Essentials of Technology course emphasizes the Computer Science course of study aligned to the South Carolina Computer Science High School Standards. This course of integrated content and process standards will enable students to develop world-class knowledge, skills, life, and career characteristics identified in the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate as a computer literate student.