Upon request, South Carolina Connections Academy is required to evaluate a child for eligibility for special education services. A request for evaluation is known as a referral. When the school receives a referral, the school will appoint an Evaluation Planning team to determine if the child has a disability and if the child needs special education services. The school locates, identifies, and evaluates all children with disabilities who are enrolled by their parents in South Carolina Connections Academy.
A school staff member who reasonably believes a student may be a child with a disability has a legal duty to refer the child, including one who is homeless, to the school district in which the child is enrolled. Before referring the child, the person making the referral must inform the parent that the referral will be made.
Others, including parents, who reasonably believe a child is a student with a disability may also refer the child, including one who is homeless, to the school or district in which the child is enrolled. Referrals must be in writing and must include the reason why the person believes the student is a child with a disability.
A referral may be made by contacting Courtney Boyd, Director of Special Services, South Carolina Connections Academy, by phone at 910-557-6379, or by writing to her at the following address: South Carolina Connections Academy, 201 Executive Center Drive, Suite 250, Columbia, SC 29210.