Special Education Terms in South Carolina
What special education terms does South Carolina use?
South Carolina uses several state-specific terms and structures that differ from federal IDEA terminology or other states. The most important for parents and advocates: South Carolina uses the standard 'IEP Team' designation (not a state-specific name like MET, CCC, or CST). South Carolina uses 'Emotional Disability' (ED) instead of the federal 'Emotional Disturbance' — same eligibility criteria, different label. South Carolina uses 'Intellectual Disability' replacing 'mental retardation' per 2011 Act No. 47. The 'Adult Students with Disabilities Educational Rights Consent Act' is a South Carolina-specific statute governing rights transfer at age 18 with unique delegation and representative designation mechanisms. 'SEED' (Standards for Evaluation and Eligibility Determination) is South Carolina's name for the detailed eligibility criteria document (Reg. 43-243.1). The 'South Carolina High School Employability Credential' is the state's alternative to a standard diploma for eligible students. South Carolina operates a two-tier due process system (most states use single-tier). The SCDE Office of Special Education Services (OSES) is the state-level oversight entity. 'Facilitated IEP Meeting' (FIEP) is a South Carolina dispute resolution option with a neutral facilitator provided at no cost by OSES. The 'Individual Graduation Plan' (IGP) is a state requirement for all students by end of 8th grade.
What South Carolina Requires
'IEP Team' — South Carolina uses the standard federal designation (not a state-specific name like MET, CCC, IEPT, or CST) (Reg. 43-243; 34 CFR 300.321).
'Emotional Disability' (ED) — South Carolina's term for the federal 'Emotional Disturbance'; same eligibility criteria, different label — important for IEPs, records, and communications (Reg. 43-243.1, Section F).
'Intellectual Disability' — replaced 'mental retardation' per 2011 Act No. 47 (Reg. 43-243).
'Adult Students with Disabilities Educational Rights Consent Act' — South Carolina-specific statute governing rights transfer at age 18 with delegation and educational representative mechanisms (S.C. Code Ann. §§ 59-33-310 to 59-33-370).
'SEED' (Standards for Evaluation and Eligibility Determination) — South Carolina's detailed eligibility criteria document (Reg. 43-243.1).
'South Carolina High School Employability Credential' — alternative to the standard high school diploma; requires 24 units, career portfolio, and work readiness assessment (Reg. 43-243; S.C. Code Ann. § 59-33-30).
'Facilitated IEP Meeting' (FIEP) — a South Carolina dispute resolution option with a neutral facilitator provided at no cost through OSES (SCDE OSES).
'Individual Graduation Plan' (IGP) — state requirement for all students by end of 8th grade, incorporating IEP transition components for students with disabilities (S.C. Code Ann. §§ 59-59-90, 59-59-140).
Two-tier due process system — South Carolina uses a local first-tier hearing with appeal to the SCDE for state-level review (most states use a single-tier system) (Reg. 43-243).
Age of majority = 18 in South Carolina for educational purposes; rights transfer at 18, but delegation and representative mechanisms available (S.C. Code Ann. §§ 59-33-320 to 59-33-350).