Warren Hills Regional School District

Warren Hills Regional High School

Course of Study 2008-2009

Department of Special Education

While it is always the intent to maximize student placement in the least restrictive environment with age appropriate, non-handicapped peers, schedules for students receiving special services support are highly varied and individualized. The levels of special services course offerings are also varied to accommodate student needs.

There are four separate and distinct levels of special education course offerings for grades 9 - 12:

Level I: Specialized Programs - Learning Disabilities; Behavioral Disabilities; Multiple Disabilities; and Autistic

Level II: Level A classes - for Math and Language Arts classes only

Level III: 9 - 10; 11 - 12 - for Math, Language arts, Science, and Social Studies classes.

Level IV: ICS - In Class Support /Supplemental Instruction for general education core academic courses.

Courses which are under-subscribed may not run.

Course Descriptions

976 English 9 -10 (5 credits, grades 9-10)

English 9-10 is a full-year study of literature, writing, and related skill areas such as vocabulary, grammar, reading, and listening. This is a course that is designed to parallel the general education curriculum for English I and English II. This course will emphasize the writing process approach to composition instruction. Certain sections of this course will be taught so that skills instruction and preparation for the High School Proficiency Assessment are directly articulated within the curriculum. Students will be assigned to English 9-10 based on their performance on standardized tests such as the NJ ASK8 and the Terra Nova Multiple Assessment, and teacher recommendation.

977 English 11-12 (5 credits, grades 11-12)

Students identified by the NJ ASK8 or by other criteria as needing instruction specifically targeted for success on the 11th grade HSPA are scheduled into English 11-12. This is a specially designed class whereby student-teacher contact is increased due to limited class size, and the student's instruction is individualized to directly confront weaknesses in reading and/or writing.

975 English A (5 credits, grades 9-12)

This course stresses reading, speaking, and writing skills necessary for independent living. The student will be guided in the skills necessary to assess career options based on strengths and interest areas. Students will practice researching and applying for jobs by completing applications and participating in mock interviews. Further, they will learn to write to express ideas or to receive information. Also, students will be exposed to literature for the purpose of improving vocabulary, comprehension, grammar, listening, and expressing ideas.

970.1 Language Arts Literacy Lab (5 credits, grades 9-12)

This direct instruction, sequential, and systematic curriculum employs multi-sensory instruction to remediate below grade level reading ability. The focus is on the study of practical reading and writing skills including words, their origin, meaning, usage, decoding, and encoding in order to more effectively and independently comprehend and respond to nonfiction and fiction works. Students are referred by teachers in order to qualify for this class.

973 Math 9-10 (5 credits, grades 9-10)

Math 9-10 is designed for non-college prep students. Students will study data and graphs; measurement; real numbers and variable expressions; two and three dimensional geometry; equations and inequalities; equations and percents; functions and graphs; relationships in geometry; polynomials; probability; and reasoning. Students will do problem solving and applications to prepare for the HSPA tests that will be administered during the junior year.

974 Math 11-12 (5 credits, grades 11-12)

Math 11-12 is designed for non-college prep students. Students will continue the study of data and graphs; measurement; real numbers and variable expressions; two and three dimensional geometry; equations and inequalities; equations and percents; functions and graphs; relationships in geometry; polynomials; probability; and reasoning. Students will do problem solving and applications to prepare for the HSPA tests that will be administered during the junior year. This course is a continuation of Math 9-10 for those students who continue to require support and remediation of basic mathematics concepts and skills and for those who are not able to participate in ICS sections of other general education mathematics classes.

971 Math A (5 credits, grades 9-12)

Students placed in this course are offered the opportunity to become more skilled in mathematics processing, application, and problem solving. Students will focus on the math needed for daily living such as consumerism, measurement, time, and independent living. Smaller class sizes allow for more individual attention. Math A is required for students who have standardized test scores significantly below grade level in math concepts and math problem solving.

978 Science 9-10 (5 credits, grades 9 & 10)

In this course students will study areas of science and processes of science, which will prepare them for subsequent science courses. The curriculum will include basic concepts from the areas of earth science and physical science. Lab activities and projects are included in this course and are designed to stimulate interest and facilitate learning.

979 Science 11-12 ( 5 credits, grades 11 & 12)

In this course, the student will review, reinforce, and summarize much of the information covered in previous science courses. Connections between and the interdependence of the major areas of science will be examined, as will current advancements in science and technology. Through lab and other activities, the students will be involved in the processes of science, such as, making predictions; making accurate observations; gathering data; presenting data; manipulating data; and drawing conclusions.

980 History (5 credits, grades 9-12)

The World History component of this class aims to develop understanding and appreciation among students of the complexities that have created and continue to affect global conditions. The curriculum focuses upon the social, political, economic and cultural forces that have influenced humankind. The American History component of this course will focus on political and diplomatic, societal, cultural, and economic forces of New Jersey and the United States from the Colonial period through the Progressive era. Students will be asked to make connections between events being studied to similar occurrences at different times in history and to present events. The course is intended to develop a broad appreciation for American heritage, as well as for the rights and responsibilities of citizens.

984 Employment Orientation (5-15 credits, grades 11-12)

Students in this program are introduced to the requirements of employment prior to placement in two to four unpaid, job shadowing internships. These placements are in school and/or the community. Students receive instruction in self-esteem, work attitudes, time management, independence, motivation, decision making, interviewing, and personal responsibility. They learn to examine their personal learning strengths, needs areas, and aptitudes for career preparation.

In-Class Support/Supplemental Instruction Program (grades 7-12)

This is a collaborative teaching program in selected classes throughout the middle and high school curriculums. Teaching partnerships combine a regular and a special educator/supplemental instructor who work as a team in a designated subject. Such an arrangement allows students with learning disabilities to receive the assistance needed for achievement in the general education curriculum. In the ICS/Supplemental Instruction class, all students are expected to master the goals of the general curriculum and to participate in all activities and requirements of the class.

Study Skills 992 (5 credits, grades 9-12), 993 (inclusion, 5 credits, grades 9-12)

This course is designed to provide all students with opportunities to establish a sound educational foundation in understanding oneself as a learner and to strengthen personal self-advocacy with regards to academic success. Students are taught how to study, improve organization of schoolwork, prepare reports, take tests and recall information. They learn about their personal approach to learning, which includes learning style, strengths, weaknesses, methods of compensation, and how to advocate appropriately and proactively in a school setting. In the inclusion level of study skills, students focus on functional self-help, social skills, and vocational readiness.

997 Autistic Program (5 credits each class- grades 9-12)

This highly individualized program focuses on daily life skills, effective basic communication, independence, and pre-vocational/vocational preparation. The academic offerings include language arts, math, social studies, science, health, pro-social, and study skills.

998 Learning Disabilities Program (grades 9-12)

This is a comprehensive program which provides instruction in core academics. The emphasis is on developing independent academic skills, school-related organization, and a sound work ethic.

996 Multiple Disabilities Program (5 credits each class- grades 9-12)

The emphasis in this program is to develop life skills necessary for transition to adult life. Clusters of instruction incorporate self-determination, employability skills, and functional academics. The program stresses skills necessary for successful community functioning.

Inclusion Experience (grades 9-12)

This pass/fail, experience provides students in the Multiple Disabilities and Autistic programs options for classroom involvement with grade and age appropriate peers in the least restrictive environment. The course options are selected for their appropriateness in linking core content with active, hands-on learning opportunities. Students can opt to select one course for the entire school year or multiple courses to make up the yearly experience.

995 Behavioral Disabilities Program (5 credits each class- grades 9-12)

This is a program which encompasses instruction in English, math, history, science, pro-social skills, trans-vocational preparation, physical education, health education, and driver education (for high school students), for students who benefit from direct instruction in critical social and emotional areas. This program stresses the development of personal responsibility and social and emotional development within the context of family, school, and community. At the high school level, students will be assigned to participate in transitional vocational preparation and in-school work-release in lieu of participation in elective classes.