Welcome to Special Programs

Laurens County School District 56 provides various support services through educational programs for students with disabilities and special needs. Our special services team members include special education teachers, speech and language pathologists, occupational and physical therapists, nurses, paraprofessionals, school psychologists, and support staff who serve approximately 500 students ranging from 3 to 21 years of age.

For more information or if you have questions regarding special services provided by District 56, contact Carol Anne Barnes, Director of Special Programs, at (864) 938-2542. Please direct records requests to Carolyn Tinsley, Data Manager: P: (864) 938-2540; F: (864) 833-0811.

STAFF DIRECTORY

a month ago

Carol Anne Barnes
Director of Special Programs 
carolannebarnes@lcsd56g.com
(864) 938-2542

Cyndi Coker
Coordinator of Special Programs 
cyndicoker@lcsd56g.com
(864) 938-2547

Carolyn Tinsley
Administrative Assistant/Data Manager
carolyntinsley@lcsd56g.com
(864) 938-2540

Sarah Lasitter
School Psychologist for BabyNet, Speech and Hearing
sarahlasitter@lcsd56g.com
(864) 938-2546

Jessica Stinson
School Psychologist for M.S. Bailey, Clinton Elementary, and Eastside Elementary
jessicastinson@lcsd56g.com
(864) 938-2548

Kaitlyn Munn
School Psychologist for Joanna-Woodson Elementary, Clinton Middle, and Clinton High
kaitlynmunn@lcsd56g.com
(864) 938-1857

Taffi O'Connor
Homebound Coordinator
taffioconnor@lcsd56g.com
(864) 938-2571
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CHILD FIND: IDENTIFYING CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

10 months ago

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA) provides that all children with disabilities have available to them a free appropriate public education that emphasizes special education and related services designed to meet their unique needs and prepares them for further education, employment, and independent living. 

The IDEA requires Laurens School District 56 to conduct activities to locate, identify, and evaluate any child with known or suspected disabilities who resides within the district’s boundaries. If your child, or a child you know, is developing differently from other children his or her age or if you have concerns about your child’s development, you may want to schedule an appointment to discuss your child’s developmental learning patterns. You can schedule an appointment to discuss your child or obtain further information about services and programs available in the district by calling the District’s Special Programs Office at 938-2546.

Link to Child Find Brochure

Brochure


Link to Child Find Notice

Child Find Notice


Link to Child Find Procedures

Procedures


Link to Babynet Information

Babynet Link


Learning Disabilities Checklist

Learning Disabilities Checklist

First 5 Home

Find the support your child needs from birth through age five.  

We connect families with South Carolina's public services for young children.


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HOMEBOUND

10 months ago


To be considered for homebound instruction, students must anticipate or have a minimum of 10 consecutive absences (elementary and middle school) or 5 consecutive absences (high school) due to illness, accident, or pregnancy. The student, parent, or guardian should contact the school counselor and/or Taffi O'Connor within the first few days of being absent to inquire about medical homebound services. Prior to being approved for medical homebound services, the student is still responsible for obtaining make up work from his/her teachers while awaiting approval for instructional services.  Depending upon instructional needs, students on medical homebound will receive 5 - 8 hours of instructional assistance per week. Medical homebound students are subject to the same mandatory attendance requirements as other LCSD56 students. Absences from scheduled instructional sessions will require an excuse from either a physician or parent to be marked as excused. If you have questions or need more information, contact Taffi O'Connor at (864) 938-2571.

Medical homebound instructional services can be scheduled either in person at MS Bailey or virtually.  

Medical Homebound Guide for Parents and School Districts


Medical Homebound FAQ's


Overview of the Homebound Application Process


Parent and Student Responsibilities




Statutory Basis for Medical Homebound Instruction - South Carolina Law


South Carolina’s mandates regarding medical homebound instruction appear in State Board of Education Regulation 43-241.  Put in the simplest terms, R 43-241 defines “homebound or hospitalized instruction” as teaching that:

  • is offered to the student who has an acute or chronic medical condition that prevents him or her from attending classes at school,
  • takes place “in a room especially set aside for the period of instruction,” and
  • is conducted by an individual who holds a South Carolina teacher’s certificate.

Specifically, Regulation 43-241 says that students who cannot attend public school because of illness, accident, or pregnancy, even with the aid of transportation, are eligible for medical homebound or hospitalized instruction. A physician must certify that the student is unable to attend school but may profit from instruction given in the home or hospital. Any student participating in a program of medical homebound instruction or hospitalized instruction must be approved by the district superintendent or his or her designee on standardized forms provided by the State Department of Education. All approved forms must be maintained by the district for documentation.

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ADULT EDUCATION

10 months ago

Adult Education in our district allows students age 17 and older to earn their GED credentials. Operating out of the Higher Education Center on Medical Ridge Road in Clinton, Adult Ed offers classes in several convenient locations throughout the district.  Morning, afternoon, and evening classes are available, and depending on the demand, Saturday classes may also be offered. In lieu of an enrollment fee, participants are asked to donate three canned goods to the county food bank.  There are four tests (math, science, social studies, and language arts) and the GED test administration fee is $37.50 per test.  The total cost is $150.  Scholarship money is available for those who need it.  Additional information is available by contacting Laurens County Adult Education at (864) 938-1524.

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