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

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

3. “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?

4. 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.”

5. 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.”

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

8. 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…

9. 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.

10. 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

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

12. Space

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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.

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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.)

19. 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

20. 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.

21. 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

22. 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.

23. 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

24. 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

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

26. 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

30. 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.

31. Our
Students