Academic Skills

Philosophy of Program

To provide students with educational opportunities based upon their individual needs in order to allow them to achieve their maximum potential in mainstream classes.

Program Definition

Service to students in special education is provided in Academic Skills classes. Students receive tutorial remediation, assistance, and credit. They are provided with support related to their individual needs. Focus is on the core areas, with special interests in monitoring student performance, working on organizational skills, and helping to make sure that work is completed.

The majority of students in special education are enrolled in an Academic Skills class to support courses taken in the mainstream academic subject areas. Student schedules are designed to ensure the least restrictive environment. When at all possible, mainstream classes are recommended for students in special education.

An important part of the case manager's responsibility is to have contact with mainstream teachers. This is done in writing approximately two times per quarter. The grades and comments are shared with students as well as parents. These "reports" helps to guide what goes on in the Academic Skills class.

Goals and Objectives

• To establish a support system for students so that special education teachers can help them to be successful in mainstream classes

• Create an opportunity to discuss progress in mainstream classes via written and oral assessments from mainstream teachers

• To prepare for tests and quizzes

• To help students complete and check homework assignments

• To reinforce academic material

• To allow students to make up tests and quizzes which are sometimes read aloud in order to meet IEP goals for untimed or read tests

• To work on organizational areas such as time management, keeping an assignment notebook, and maintaining orderly notebooks and folders.