Riverside High School Special Education Department

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Riverside High School has 5 different special education programs. Students who qualify under the law IDEA may participate in these programs. We have Resource, Moderately Mentally Handicapped Self-Contained, Occupational Diploma, Learning Disabilities Neurological, and Mildly Mentally Handicapped Neurological.

The Tutorial Program

How does a student qualify?

The resource room is for students who are classified and qualify for Special Education under the federal law IDEA. Students are remediated and tutored on an individual basis according to their own Individualized Education Plan. The course objectives are to provide tutorial instruction and organizational support for each student as needed, to support the individual student’s IEP objectives and to communicate regularly with the student’s teachers and parents.

What is the purpose of the tutorial program?

The resource program supports and reinforces the instructional plans of the regular classroom teacher. The resource teacher provides assistance with all of the student’s academic courses, specifically concentrating on the student’s deficit area(s). The resource teacher also provides assignments related to career exploration and exit exam preparation.

How is time in class spent?

The first ten minutes of each class is spent taking attendance, completing assignment sheets, discussing problems/successes in the regular classroom and completing the assignment for the day. The exit exam preparation is sequenced and scheduled for the beginning of each class period between Tuesdays and Thursdays. On Tuesday of each week, a reading assignment is given. On Wednesday, a math assignment is given. Thursdays are devoted to writing. Writing activities are given requiring students to defend or support a thesis or topic sentence. (Required Text and Materials will vary according to individual needs.) Fridays are utilized (as needed) for organization of book bags, notebooks and lockers. The remainder of the each class will be spent working on assignments from the regular classroom. Mondays are a free day, the student is able to use the library, catch up on work, use the computer or play board games.

What areas are worked on in tutorial?

The first, second and third nine weeks are spent working on reading, math, writing, and organization. Additionally, careers will be explored during the third nine weeks. The career exploration involves a career survey, discussion during class of career choices, and work on the SCOIS program available in the school library.

Is tutorial graded and does it earn credit toward the high school diploma?

Each student is given an assignment sheet for every week to help organize his time. Each student is required to obtain an assignment planner in which to write his homework assignments. The course evaluation is determined using daily grades to obtain a weekly average. The weekly averages are used to obtain a 9-week average. The grading scale is available in the student handbook. The tutorial class is considered an elective and is awarded credit towards high school graduation.

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Moderately Mentally Handicapped Self-Contained Class

What is the program designed to do?

The program is designed to prepare the moderately mentally handicapped students for work in the community or in the Sheltered workshop setting. We strive to increase the level of independence of each student. Each student has an Individualized Educational Program, which establishes the daily activities for each student.

What areas are stressed in the classroom?

The program stresses the areas of Leisure, Personal Management, Work, Socialization, and Functional Academics. Functional Academics include reading, writing, math, adaptive, and transitional activities. During leisure time the students are able to play computer games, watch videos, listen to music, play cards, work puzzles etc… Personal management includes activities, which assist the student, in taking care of their needs here at school, at home and in the community. Work activities are geared toward simulated work tasks, which will prepare the student for the workshop. If appropriate, the student may be able to work on an actual job site in the community. Functional academic activities include working with the calendar, money, schedules, and the calculator. Again, the program is set up to work on the individual needs of each student as determined by the IEP committee.

What about socialization?

Socialization is covered here at school by using peer tutors. These are students from the general education program who come in to the class to work with the students.

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The Occupational Degree Program (Learning Disabilities Neurological, and Mildly Mentally Handicapped Neurological)

**all of these classes are working towards receiving an Occupational Diploma

What are the academics like in the Occupational Degree Program?

The Occupational Degree program is designed to prepare students for employment immediately upon graduation. Math, English, Social Studies, and Science are taught with an emphasis on how these subjects relate to careers and everyday life skills. Each student organizes a portfolio showing his or her academic and career accomplishments. Transitional skills and self-advocacy are incorporated throughout the curriculum.

How are careers integrated into the course?

Ninth graders focus primarily on the academic requirements of the program. PE and other electives are offered within the general education program. On-site jobs may also be performed. Tenth graders attend the Bond Career Center for a portion of the day to receive occupational training. Eleventh graders begin working with a Job Coach, shadowing several different jobs within the community. Both tenth and eleventh graders continue to receive academics in the classroom. During the summer and throughout the senior year, students work a specific job and receive credit for the training and a salary for the job. The Job Coach supervises the student’s work performance.