Special populations, as defined by Perkins V are:
- Individuals with disabilities
- Individuals from economically disadvantaged families, including low-income youth and adults
- Individuals preparing for nontraditional fields
- Single parents, including single pregnant women
- out-of-workforce individuals
- Homeless individuals
- Youth who are in, or have aged out of, the foster care system
- Youth with a parent who is a member of the armed forces and is on active duty
- Individuals with other barriers to educational achievement, including individuals with limited English proficiency
The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) follows the Perkins V mandates to serve special populations and document the achievement of each group to achieve established performance levels. Areas of achievement relate to Career and Technical Education program completion, earning twelfth grade diplomas, placement of twelfth graders following program completion, and nontraditional program enrollment.
Individuals who are members of special populations shall be provided with equal access to the full range of career and technology education programs available to individuals who are not members of special populations, including occupationally specific courses of study, school-to-work transition programs and to the extent practicable, comprehensive career guidance and counseling services, and shall not be discriminated against on the basis of their status as members of special populations.
Districts shall provide support services to students who are members of special populations such as but not limited to:
- curriculum modification
- equipment modification
- classroom modification
- supportive personnel
- instructional aids and devices
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