Virtual School
Virtual School Services for Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities are entitled to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) and must be provided meaningful access to and the opportunity to make appropriate progress in the general education curriculum. The delivery of instruction through a virtual or online learning environment does not diminish the district's obligation to provide special education and related services in accordance with the student's Individualized Education Program (IEP).
When the IEP Team is considering a student's participation in a virtual course or program, the team must determine whether the virtual instructional setting is appropriate to enable the student to receive FAPE based on the student's unique strengths, disability-related needs, and individual circumstances. This determination must be made on an individual basis and may not be based solely on the student's disability category or the availability of virtual programming.
As part of this determination, the IEP Team shall consider, as appropriate:
- Whether the virtual instructional environment enables the student to receive specially designed instruction and related services consistent with the student's IEP.
- Whether the student can access and make appropriate progress in the general education curriculum within the virtual setting.
- Whether the student's supplementary aids and services, accommodations, modifications, assistive technology, and other supports can be effectively implemented in the virtual learning environment.
- Whether additional supports, services, or personnel are necessary to facilitate the student's participation and progress in virtual instruction.
- How the student's progress toward annual IEP goals will be monitored and reported.
- Whether the proposed virtual instructional setting constitutes the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) for the student.
The consideration of virtual instruction should not inequitably limit or discourage students with disabilities from participating in virtual school opportunities. Decisions regarding virtual school participation must be made through the IEP Team process based on the student's individual educational needs and not on administrative convenience or disability status.
The IEP must document the team's consideration of the student's participation in virtual instruction, including the special education and related services, accommodations, supplementary aids and services, assistive technology, and other supports necessary for the student to receive FAPE in the virtual learning environment. The team's rationale for its decisions, including any proposed or refused actions, must also be documented in the Prior Written Notice (PWN) in accordance with IDEA procedural requirements.
When a student will participate in synchronous and/or asynchronous virtual instruction, the student's IEP case manager is responsible for ensuring that all virtual education staff and service providers have access to the current IEP and understand their responsibilities for implementing its provisions. Prior to the student's participation in virtual instruction and whenever the IEP is revised, the case manager shall communicate with each virtual teacher and service provider to ensure that all required special education and related services, supplementary aids and services, accommodations, modifications, assistive technology, behavior supports, testing accommodations, and any other components of the IEP are implemented with fidelity in the virtual learning environment. The case manager shall also collaborate with virtual instructional staff to address any barriers to implementation, monitor the student's access to and progress within the virtual setting, and reconvene the IEP Team, as appropriate, if changes are needed to ensure the student continues to receive a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE).
Students in Greenville County Schools have several virtual learning opportunities available:
- Credit Recovery courses
- Greenville County Schools Full Virtual Program (synchronous)
- Greenville County Schools Virtual Program (asynchronous courses)
- Enrollment in the Satellite Diploma program
- Virtual SC
More information about each of these programs can be found on the
district website.
To continue to the next section Adult Education Programs, click Next below.
