Special Education Information
Riverside High School offers a full continuum of services for students who qualify for Special Education Services under the federal law IDEA. Our goal is to educate students with disabilities and assist them in becoming independent graduates. Decisions regarding the appropriate special education services are made during a collaborative meeting with parents, teachers, and the student during an annual IEP team conference. These decisions are often made by the end of the previous school year; however, the team can reconvene at any time if necessary. If you have questions about your child's special education services or the services available at RHS, please contact the Special Education Department Chair, Carrie Fussell (cfussell@greenville.k12.sc.us), or your child's IEP case manager.
What are Consultative or Itinerant Services? Consultative or Itinerant services are available for students who have been successful in the general education environment with a minimal amount of remediation. Students work with their Special Education Case Manager for needed support (usually for 30 minutes or less each week), as defined in their IEP, which is typically scheduled during Activity period or during an elective class, depending on each student's individual needs. This service is typically for students who are working towards staffing out of the Special Education Program and to ensure that the student can be successful without direct specialized instruction.
What is the Educational Support Class? The Educational Support class is an elective credit for students who are performing below grade level expectations. During their Educational Support class, students will receive individual or small group assistance in understanding concepts presented in their general education courses, along with specialized instruction in areas where students have academic weaknesses, as noted in their Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). This class allows students additional processing time to understand or relearn material presented in their classes and provides support with organizational skills. Lessons focus on teaching study skills, determining learning styles, and exploring post-secondary transition options throughout the course of the year, along with teaching students how to effectively advocate for themselves and how to utilize their accommodations. Students receive an elective credit for each semester that they take the class and the IEP team can decide if the student needs the Educational Support class one or both semesters to be successful in their general education classes.
What are Cotaught Classes? Cotaught classes are for students who are working at or slightly below grade level and services are provided to students during their general education class(es). Co-teaching is defined as two teachers (a general education teacher and a special education teacher) working together within a classroom; sharing the planning, organization, delivery, and assessment of instruction. Cotaught classes are also called Inclusion classes and are available for students as defined in their IEP. We currently have cotaught options for the CP level in English and Math classes.
What is the Literacy Lab Class? Literacy Lab is an elective credit for students who have a significant weakness in reading. Students receive intensive reading instruction through the Read180 program with the goal of improving both reading fluency and comprehension skills. Students are assessed regularly throughout the year and work towards reading on grade-level. Students should register for both Literacy Lab and Educational Support so that they will receive 45 minutes of intensive reading instruction daily, along with the organizational support and remediation offered in Educational Support for 45 minutes daily for the entire school year.
What is the Self-Contained Employability Credential Class? Self-Contained, multicategorical classes are available for students performing significantly below grade level expectations and who are working towards an Employability Credential. These classes are designed to increase each student's employability skills and to increase the student's level of independence through functional academics, supported employment training, and community based instruction.
What is the Self-Contained ID-Mod Class? Self-Contained, ID-Mod classes are available for students performing significantly below grade level expectations. The students in these classes are working towards a District Attendance credential. The classes are designed to support the students as they work on activities to build their independence. Functional academics are addressed in the classroom and stress reading, writing, math, science and social studies. The classes also addresses social, behavioral and emotional concerns.
