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SPECIAL EDUCATION and STUDENT SERVICES PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
The Masconomet Regional School District provides a variety of programs and related services for eligible students. Local resources and programming options for eligible students may be modified and/or adapted each year to meet the needs of Masconomet students.
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Middle School Learning Center – Students may receive special education services in smaller group classes or inclusion classes. Special Education staff provide these services in a number of settings including: general education/inclusion classrooms, academic support classes, Learning Center English and Math classes, or Learning Resource Center classes. Support services provide students with assistance mastering concepts presented in their academic classes and/or remediation of basic skills needed for successful participation in their academic classes. Learning Center classes are taught by special education teachers which offer an alternative for those students unable to make effective progress, even with the modified requirements, of the general education classes.
Language Based Classroom Support – The Language Based support is provided within the classroom which presents material in an organized manner, using oral and visual methods to support comprehension and emphasize main ideas. Lessons spiral back to previously learned material to ensure continued mastery and to relate to new information. Reading, writing, spelling, and oral language skills are taught and reinforced across the curriculum to facilitate continuity, generalization, and internalization.
Middle and High School Learning Resource Centers – The LRC provides developmentally appropriate, highly modified curriculum targeted at student learning entry points. Within the functionally based curriculum, students may participate in the MCAS-Alt Assessment by creating portfolios of their work. Students are exposed to multi-sensory teaching strategies enhanced with the use of assistive technology. When appropriate, the students have daily opportunities to participate and learn in general education classrooms with support.
Middle and High School Academic Support Class - Both the Middle and High Schools provide support for students through an Academic Support Class. Students are provided with tutorial support to assist them in meeting the requirements of their general education classes through skill development outlined in the student’s individual education program. In addition, instruction may be provided for students with weaknesses in various areas such as reading, writing, organizational skills, study skills, and executive functioning skills. Students typically receive support on a daily basis as specified in their Individual Education Programs.
Middle and High School Co-Taught Classes – Co-taught classes are taught by 2 highly qualified educators; 1 special education teacher and 1 general education teacher. In co-taught classes, the student/teacher ratio is smaller allowing for highly-structured instruction with modification to content and flexibility in pacing.
Classroom Accommodations Only – Students who demonstrate the ability to access content, without modification to curriculum, may require accommodations only. These students may have a diagnosed disability who qualified for a Section 504 plan. These are accommodations which sit outside of the District Accommodation Plan to which all Masconomet students have access.
Adaptive Physical Education – The Adaptive Physical Education services focus on the use of movement to help students improve gross motor skills. Working within small groups, the Physical Education teacher provides explicit instruction and activities including sports, games, and conditioning exercises.
Behavioral Support – A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) improves lagging skills in the area of behavior across all school environments. The BCBA meets with families, teachers, staff and parents to review behaviors of concern. These behaviors may include active observation of identified behavior across learning environments, data collection, determining the function of a specific behavior, generating graphs to track changes, analyzing information to determine appropriate interventions, applying techniques to achieve objectives, and adjusting interventions as necessary.
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Direct Reading Instruction – The language & literacy specialists provide multi-sensory structured language programs that teach phonology and phonological awareness, sound-symbol association, syllable instruction, morphology, syntax, semantics. Instruction is taught in a multisensory systematic and cumulative approach. Intervention services may be provided by: Title I instruction, special education reading specialists, or program coordinators.
Speech and Language Therapy - The Speech and Language Therapist provides services for eligible students in Grades 7-12 who are experiencing significant difficulties with expressive and/or receptive language related challenges.
Occupational Therapy – The Occupational Therapist assesses the development of fine and gross motor skills as well as visual-perceptual motor development. Problems in these areas might result in poor handwriting, lack of normal dexterity, and difficulties in eye/hand coordination. The Occupational Therapist develops remedial programs when necessary and provides direct therapy or consultation and supervision as necessary.
Physical Therapy – The Physical Therapist provides support services to students with physical challenges related to functioning in the school environment. Areas addressed may include strength, muscle tone, endurance, balance and range of motion.
Vision Services – Vision services, for eligible students, may include instruction in utilizing braille, large print, optical and non-optical low vision devices and other skills necessary to make progress in their academic, social, vocational environments. Support may include literacy and acquisition of information using tactile, visual, and auditory strategies.
Orientation and Mobility Services – Orientation and mobility services provide students with visual impairment by qualified personnel to develop skills necessary to understand and move safely within their environments in school, home, and community.
School Psychologist – The School Psychologists consult and collaborate with parents and colleagues, conduct assessments, and share in the collective development of strategies to assist students.
School Nurse – School Nurses conduct school health related services, administer medication according to the guidelines of the Department of Public Health, assist with physical examinations and immunizations. Regular screening for vision, hearing, scoliosis, and height/weight screening programs.
School Counseling – School Adjustment Counselors are available to provide school-related mental health support for identified students. Service may include individual time, small group counseling, crisis intervention, outreach and parent consultation.
Transition Services – Transition services include working with students to assist them in preparing for their transition from Masconomet High School to the post-secondary world of work or higher education. Transition skill development may include: job readiness skills, social skills, community access skills and other skills identified for a successful transition to adulthood. Transition services may include jobs on campus and building community partnerships with local businesses to provide students with a variety of vocational opportunities to practice authentic skills in a workplace.
Consortium Programs – The Masconomet Regional School District is a member of the Northshore Education Consortium (NEC) and the Collaborative for Regional Educational Services and Training (CREST), which provide programs and services for students with low incidence educational needs. Requirements and information regarding these programs and services is available from the Assistant Superintendent for Student Services.
NEC Connections Program – The Connections program is part of the Northshore Education Consortium (NEC). This program provides clinical wraparound and community based services, as well as, short term case management to students and their families. Information regarding these programs and services is available from the Assistant Superintendent for Student Services.