We encourage parents to learn as much about special education and the IDEA as possible.  Here are a few ways to educate yourself.  

You will receive at least one copy of your parental safeguards each year and be offered additional copies in special events such as a state complaint or a disciplinary action.  To learn more about these rights, you can read this article.

PARENT HANDBOOK in English 

PARENT HANDBOOK in Spanish

Notice of Services Statement

Visit South Carolina’s Parent and Training Information Center.  Family Connection of SC is a wonderful resource for learning more about the IDEA and supports for students and families.

Child Find under the IDEA requires all public school districts, including District 5, to ensure that all children with disabilities residing within the District who need special education and related services are identified, located, and evaluated. This includes all children ages 3 to 21 who attend public or private schools; those who are home schooled; and those who are homeless or are wards of the state.  

For more information about Child Find, read this article.  

If you suspect your child has a disability and may qualify for special education services under the IDEA, please do the following:

South Carolina high School credential website

Project SEARCH is a partnership between LexRich5, Prisma Health Baptist Parkridge Hospital, and SC Vocational Rehabilitation. Project SEARCH is a year-long placement which provides hospital internship experiences and assists with job placements for students with disabilities ages 18-21 on a non-diploma track. Interns are fully immersed in the hospital setting as they work through three 11-week internship rotations. Students learn hard and soft work skills in departments including Supply/Distribution, Food and Nutrition, Environmental Services, and clinical support areas.  The goal of Project SEARCH is for 100% of students to exit with competitive integrated community employment by the end of the school year. Interested students complete an application process, interview, and skills assessment based on Project SEARCH entrance criteria and hospital requirements. More information about LexRich5 Project SEARCH can be found here.

District 5 Special Transportation phone number 803-476-3254 or 476-3255.

Special Education Records:

All special education records requests must come through our special services department.  You may request a copy of your own or your student's special education records by emailing the request to spedrecords@lexrich5.org or contacting Records at special services 803-476-8225.

You will need to provide the student's full name, date of birth, current school, and whether you want the records emailed back to you, mailed to you, or you will pick them up in person.  Records will be mailed to the address listed in the student database (Powerschool).  To pick up requests in person, you must show a valid ID. 

504 Plans:

All 504 record requests must go through the current school of attendance.  If the student is no longer enrolled in our district, then contact the  last school the student attended.  When contacting the school, ask to speak to the 504 Chairperson.