Special Education in Christian Schools Mrs. Lisa Joyner General Education Chair Virginia Baptist College

Can you imagine? “We don’t have a qualified basketball coach, so we won’t be able to have a team.”

“It’s too hard to find qualified science teachers, so we won’t be able to offer science classes,” said no Christian school administrator ever! Can You Imagine?

Can You Imagine? “We don’t have the space for a church nursery, so if you have small children, you’ll need to take them to another church that has a nursery.”

So then…. Why is it acceptable to say, “We don’t have the resources to offer special education in our Christian school so you’ll need to take your child to the public school.”

So then… “We can’t afford to pay another faculty member.” BUT…. Athletic Director Music Teacher Art Teacher

Beginning Steps Letter to parents Describe your desire to offer help to students who have learning challenges. Ask them to reply if they would be interested in enrolling their children in such a program. Suggest that they proceed with getting their child tested for a learning disability, ADHD, etc…

Beginning Steps Identify existing students who are struggling in their classes Ask teachers to informally assess the students in their classes and provide a list of students who they suspect may have a learning disability. Examine IOWA scores. Students who are one to two grade levels behind their peers in reading and/or math may be a candidate. Students who score below 90 on the CogAt may be a candidate.

Staffing needs One teacher/six students per resource class One teacher/12 students in the program Example – 60 students in our Specialized Learning Program – 4 full time teachers and one director

Teacher Requirements At least one teacher/director with a degree in Special Education preferred Recruiting from Christian universities Educating existing teachers – online programs

Space

Fees Regular tuition plus…. Resource classes (pull out) One resource class (math or English) $1700 Two resource classes (math and English) $2450 Three resource classes (math and English and Tutorial Study Hall) $2925 Tutorial Study Hall only $1,000 Full time special education classes (self- contained) $9500

Eligibility A specific learning disability is defined as a significant discrepancy between ability (IQ) and achievement in one or more academic areas: Oral Expression Listening Comprehension Written Expression Basic Reading Skills Reading Comprehension Mathematic Calculation Mathematic Reasoning  

Eligibility ~ ADHD/ADD ~ Autism ~ Downs Syndrome ~ Intellectual Disabilities ~ Developmental Disabilities Documentation of the disability from a physician or psychologist/psychiatrist must be submitted to the Resource Director in order to verify eligibility.

Elementary Resource Classes Elementary – for grades 3-5 Language Arts Reading, Vocabulary, Spelling, Grammar, Writing Math Consultation only – for grades K-2 Pulled out during regular classes so no other classes are missed Assessed and grouped according to ability Other classes modified as necessary Curriculum is flexible

Middle School Resource Classes Resource English – grade level curriculum Individual classes for 6th, 7th, and 8th grades or Combined class for similar ability levels Resource Math – grade level curriculum Tutorial Study Hall – during elective hour Combined class

Middle and High School Tutorial Study Hall Middle school grades 6th – 8th High school grades 9th – 12th Description Tutorial Study Hall is available to students who can keep up in the regular classroom but need daily assistance with study skills, organization, additional time for test-taking, and occasional re-teaching of material. Middle school students who are enrolled in English or Math Resource classes may enroll in Tutorial Study Hall also for assistance with their other courses. (Average ratio of students to one teacher is 6:1.)

Middle School and High School Special Education Self-contained special education Occupational English, Math, Science, History in separate classroom – emphasis on life skills Bible (with modifications), electives, lunch, chapel, field trips with regular class Eligible for Occupational Diploma

Modifications Modifications are changes that are made to the curriculum for students with disabilities who are unable to comprehend all of the content in a particular course. For example, assignments might be modified significantly for a student with cognitive impairments that limit his/her ability to understand the content in the student’s general education. These modifications are documented on the student’s report card.

Modifications Examples of modifications are: Reduce amount of information the student is required to master for tests/quizzes. Alter writing and reading assignments to match student’s ability. Shorten memorization assignments. Adjust spelling and vocabulary lists to lower grade level. Provide alternate curriculum on lower grade level

Accommodations Accommodations are alterations made in the way that academic content is presented or assessed, but does not alter the curriculum standards or grade level of the material. Accommodations are not noted on the student’s report card.

Accommodations Examples of accommodations: Preferential seating Provide a copy of notes Allow student to take picture of notes on board Reduce amount of homework if necessary Allow calculator use Allow student to use formulas Do not deduct for spelling Allow use of audible books Extended time for tests Allow for separate setting for tests Read aloud for tests

Standardized Testing SAT IOWA Testing ACT Same accommodations that they are allowed on their ISP Separate setting Extended time Read aloud (if diagnosed with a SLD/Reading) ACT Apply for accommodations on ACT SAT Apply for accommodations from College Board

Paperwork ISP – ISP for Christian Schools ISP at a Glance – ISP at a Glance Arc to a learning disability - arc

Diploma Options College-Prep for students with or without learning disabilities full course requirements (accommodations acceptable, but no modifications to the courses General for students with learning disabilities reduces course requirements and required ACT score Occupational for students in Focus Learning Center

Successes Salvation of students Opportunity to minister to families Accepting students with disabilities adds to overall enrollment. Students who have fallen behind catch up to their peers and move back to regular classes. Non-disabled students learn acceptance and compassion for their disabled peers. Children who would otherwise be shuffled into public school special education programs are given a quality Christian education in a nurturing environment.

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