Student Support Services Course Composites

Student Support Services

Special Education services are determined through the Team process according to federal and state regulations. Eligible students receive the services specified in their Individual Educational Programs that enable them to receive a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment. Each student's program is designed to ensure a successful transition to his/her individual post high school goal and to support the acquisition of skills necessary to become productive members of the larger community.

900 - Functional English / Language Arts (L.S.) - 5 credits

This course is for students who require individualized assistance and specialized English instruction. Course work has a greater focus on functional English skills (email, functional text comprehension, resume writing and interviewing skills). Course work also incorporates traditional English topics (i.e. reading comprehension, recognizing literary elements, vocabulary development, grammar, and writing effective sentences, paragraphs and essays). Since grades 9-12 are combined in this small setting, the literary selections that the class reads rotate each year.

901 - Study Skills - (9-10) - 5 credits

Instructional Support provides direct instruction in the individual goals and objectives listed in each student's IEP. Instruction occurs in small group and/or one on one to support completion of general education class assignments. Special Education teachers monitor students' progress in general education classes and provide assistance and re-teaching as needed. Students learn organizational skills and study skills in this class to help them successfully access the general education curriculum. Assessment data is used to determine the need for remedial instruction and support students as they take the MCAS tests required for high school graduation.

903 - Academic Support - (11-12) - 2.5 credits

905 - Academic Support - (11-12) - 5 credits

Instructional Support provides direct instruction in the individual goals and objectives listed in each student's IEP.  Special Education teachers monitor student's progress in general education classes and provide assistance and re-teaching as needed. Progress will be based on the quality of their use of instructional time and the application of the presented study skills strategies by monitoring logged assignments in a planner / organizer, notebooks, homework and report cards. Students will also be guided through the post-secondary transition process.

6 x per cycle - Credits: 5
3 x per cycle - Credits: 2.5

913 - Science (L.S.) - 5 credits

Science covers such areas as General Science, Life Science, basic Biology and Human Anatomy. It streamlines content vocabulary, comprehension materials and communication skills throughout the course. Students will use a variety of visuals, flashcards, functional boards, videos, manipulative and hands-on materials, as well as paper application skills.

914 - Concepts of Intermediate Algebra I - 5 Credits

This course is for students who have an Individualized Education Program who require specialized Math instruction. The Concepts of Intermediate Algebra 1 curriculum is aligned to the Common Core State Standards and parallels the Intermediate Algebra I CP class. Topics include operations with integers, the solution of equations and inequalities, proportions and graphing of lines. This course meets the student's mathematics requirements.

915 - Concepts of Intermediate Geometry - 5 Credits

This course is a continuation of the Concepts of Intermediate Algebra 1 course. This course is intended for students who have an Individualized Education Program who benefit from small group instruction. This course focuses on geometry topics found in the Common Core Standards and parallels the content in the Intermediate Geometry CP class. This course meets the student's mathematics requirements.

917 - Intro to Community & Independent Living - 5 credits

Intro to Community & Independent Living focuses on the introduction to topics surrounding job skills, activities of daily living and community awareness. The Pre-vocational content will include but is not limited to; introduction to kitchen safety and vocabulary surrounding recipes, meal planning, grocery shopping, and cooking. Skills surrounding self-identification, hygiene, interpersonal relations and community awareness, with concentration on the school community as a whole, will be included within the curriculum. Other possible areas addressed are personal finances, resume writing, job skills and other topics that are important for independent living after high school.

916 - Community and Independent Living - (PG)

Community & Independent Living focuses on skills needed in order to live and work towards a successful, independent life. Students in this program will learn skills that include, but not limited to, Independent Living (Activities of Daily Living), Job Skills, Community Awareness and Social Emotional training. Job Skills will include; how to dress for a job, interview skills, practical application of jobs, phone skills and skills surrounding rules and maintaining placement in the work environment. They will be working towards independence within the Kitchen; including but not limited to; planning recipes/meals, grocery lists/shopping and meal preparation. Skills will be built upon from the ones learned in Intro to Community/Independent Living. This also includes basic household maintenance and personal hygiene. Community Awareness will include; navigating directions, community signs and community helpers. Information will be given on identification of and access to post-secondary services.

918 - Concepts of World & U.S. History - 5 credits

This course begins with the Renaissance in Europe and ends with the Cold War. It is designed in accordance with the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks for World History and integrates history, geography, economics and government. Students will engage in a variety of learning activities and assessments as they increase their knowledge of the global community. This course satisfies the History graduation requirement.

919 - Concepts of History II - 5 Credits

Emphasizes the major events in the history of the United States beginning with the discovery of America and the American Revolution and ending with Reconstruction. It is designed in accordance with the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks to provide students with a fundamental knowledge of the American ideologies of freedom and the pursuit of happiness. The course integrates history, geography, economics, and government. This course satisfies the History graduation requirement.

920 - Concepts of History III - 5 Credits

Units of study will span events and legislation since the end of the Civil War era to the present with the focus on Progressivism, Imperialism, the two World Wars, the Great Depression and America since 1945. This course satisfies the History graduation requirement.

931 - Functional Math - 5 credits

Functional Math teaches students functional mathematical skills and concepts that can be applied to real world situations. This will include calculation skills, money skills, operations, time, calendars, time management, measurement, basic fractions and other functional concepts. The course will teach students to apply topics covered in the classroom that can be applied across the curriculum and generalize skills in different settings. Concepts will be introduced and taught using a variety of flashcards, manipulative materials, functional boards, and hands on materials, as well as paper application skills.

952 - Concepts of English I - 5 credits

This course is intended for students who have an Individualized Education Program and require specialized instruction in English.  This course will parallel the freshman CP course in vocabulary work, literature, writing, and grammar, using individualized instruction as needed and adapted textbooks when necessary. In addition to the basic curriculum, the student will become familiar with test taking strategies and techniques. All forms of literature: short stories, plays, poetry, novels, and non-fiction will be included. The focus of composition will be on writing effective paragraphs. The study of grammar will emphasize mastery of the eight parts of speech. This course meets the student's English requirements.

953 - Concepts of English II  - 5 credits

This course is a continuation of the Concepts of English I course and is intended for students who have an Individualized Education Program and require specialized instruction in English. The content parallels the CP level of English 10. The student will essentially be exposed to the same program; however, some adaptation and differentiation will occur. The student will extend and refine their understanding of the five literary genres: novel, short story, poetry, drama, and non-fiction. In addition, the student will participate in formal and informal discussions, engage in research, and write compositions and essays that have been revised and edited for correctness and expression. The student will work on MCAS prep by learning test-taking strategies and by writing open response questions. This course meets the student's English requirements.

954 - Concepts of English III - 5 credits

This course is a continuation of the Concepts of English II course and is intended for students who have an Individualized Education Program and require specialized instruction in English. The content parallels the CP level of English 11. Emphasis is placed on developing writing with a focus on sentence style and organization, paragraph development, vocabulary skills and encouraging the student to attain increasing levels of competence in mechanics, content, organization and style in a various types of writing situations. This course satisfies an English graduation requirement.

955 - Concepts of English IV - 5 credits

This course is a continuation of the Concepts of English III course and is intended for students who have an Individualized Education Program and require specialized instruction in English. The content parallels the CP level of English 12 with modifications. The students will generate, examine and reflect upon personal values by responding to literature. In addition, the student will acquire new vocabulary words, participate in formal and informal discussions, and engage in research. The focus of student writing will be on analytical and persuasive essays that have been revised and edited for correctness and expression. This course meets the student's English requirements.

957 - Concepts of Algebra 2 - 5 credits

This course will be offered as a third-year math class for students who require additional support in mathematics. The focus of this course will be to strengthen the students' abilities to think, reason, and problem-solve using mathematical understandings and skills. This course will use algebraic expressions and models for studying functions and solving real-word situations. Graphing will be emphasized and geometry will be applied. The learning standards that will be covered are number sense and operations; patterns, relations and algebra; data analysis, statistics, and probability. The course will include the use of concrete, connecting, and abstract instructional methodologies and curricula. The use of manipulatives and computer technology will also provide students with the opportunity to explore, model and analyze. The course will continue to involve students in active learning, inquire-based problems and problem-solving strategies to build conceptual understanding.

958 - Concepts of SAT Review/Quantitative Reasoning - 5 credits

A conceptual mathematics course designed to address topics in mathematics appearing in the world around us, through inquiry-based, hands-on activities and discussion. This senior fourth-year math course provides an activity-based approach that develops mathematical skills and financial literacy while utilizing technology to solve problems. This course will incoporate some math review during first quarter to assist students in preparing for the SAT, ACT, ASVAB and other college placement exams. Following, emphasis will be on conceptual understanding and on how mathematics is applied in the real, everyday world. Students will be expected to demonstrate conceptual and applied understanding of mathematical topics through class discourse, written assessments, and course projects. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate the use of mathematics and technology to solve practical problems, to analyze and communicate results, and to make informed and effective financial decisions.