Callinan

Resource News September 2007

What is the Resource Program?
The Resource Program is a service delivery model designed to meet the needs of Special Education students (as defined by the thirteen federally mandated categories) in the general education setting.

What is the goal of the Resource Program?
Sinaloa’s Resource Program seeks to create student self-advocates who are knowledgeable about their strengths and their weaknesses and are able to take personal responsibility for their learning needs. The Resource Program’s goal corresponds to our school-wide commitment to maximize student success through academic achievement and social development. We are attempting to accomplish this by working to foster a school community that is student-centered and meets the unique needs of all children in the least restrictive environment.

Who receives services from the Resource Program?
The Resource Program provides support for students with diagnosed mild to moderate disabilities, helping them to learn successfully in the least restrictive environment possible. It is designed to provide support for those students deemed capable of being educated in general education classes the majority of their academic day. Each child served by the Resource Program has an Individualized Education Plan (or IEP) that specifies the intensity, structure, and frequency of the services provided. The plan is re-assessed annually or as needed.

How are IEP goals generated?
An initial assessment process determines eligibility for the program and identifies focus areas to target for each individual student. Legally, each student must be re-assessed for eligibility at three year intervals. The members of the IEP team (administrators, general education teachers, special education teachers, specialists such as a Speech and Language Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Psychologist, etc., along with parents/guardians, advocates, and the student) generate individualized goals that are designed to gauge the progress of the child against measurable objectives. State Standards are used as guides. Class accommodations and services are also recommended by the team.

Where and how are resource students served?
In general, Resource teachers and aides work together with the general education teachers to support the identified needs of the Resource student in some combination of the following structures:

• within the general ed. class
• an academic support class in lieu of their elective class
• one or two periods of pull out per week out from P.E. or their elective class for academic support
• a remedial reading class
• after school support in the Resource room on Thursdays after school (see additional note below).

What is the Resource Program’s message?
1. All children can learn.
2. Each child is an individual.
Every child has the right to be educated by subject-specific experts in regular education settings when appropriate.

ATTENDANCE
It is extremely important for students to be in school, on time, every day. Unless a child is truly ill, he/she needs to be in school. Please make every effort to arrange doctor and dentist appointments outside of the school day. Please plan family vacations during one of the scheduled breaks on the school calendar.

HOMEWORK SUPPORT
In addition to Sinaloa’s Homework Club, the Resource staff offers weekly after school support on Thursdays. Two Resource teachers are available from 2:30-3:30pm. in room 203 (or room 302). Snacks are provided. If your child needs some extra support and a quiet place to complete their homework,this is a great opportunity.

Sinaloa Resource Staff Resource Specialists:
Merrie Callinan and Kevin Rapp
Instructional Assistants:
Diane Apple and Carolyn Gerrans