The Academic Skills course develops executive functioning, academic and transition skills to enable achievement in high school and postsecondary settings. Academic Skills uses specialized academic instruction in math, reading, and writing, along with an executive functioning and transition curriculum to address areas of individual need aligned to the ARHS content curriculum. Students are taught to self-monitor, self-advocate, appropriately plan for completion of all assignments, and to create a post-high school plan. Academic Skills will offer the opportunity to check in with Special Education teachers and receive targeted interventions based on Individualized Education Plan (IEP) goals. Students should still plan to complete homework outside of school as there is not enough time in Academic Skills to complete all assignments in that setting.
Students are assessed based on participation in class activities and on-going work with building self-advocacy skills.
Students work both collaboratively and independently with their teacher to develop a toolbox of strategies and coping mechanisms in order to gain greater access to the curriculum. Students are taught to self-monitor, self-advocate, appropriately plan for completion of all assignments, and to create a post-high school plan. Academic Skills will offer the opportunity to check in with Special Education teachers and receive targeted interventions based on Individualized Education Plan (IEP) goals. Students should still plan to complete homework outside of school as there is not enough time in Academic Skills to complete all assignments in that setting. Students will receive a grade of pass/fail, assessment will be based on participation in class activities and on-going work with building a toolbox of coping strategies.
In addition to the Academic Skills course description above, this class delivers highly individualized instruction and support for students on the Autism Spectrum in self-management, social navigation, communication, and transition to adulthood.
In addition to the Academic Skills course descriptions above, this class uses specialized academic instruction in reading and writing to address areas of individual need aligned to the ARHS content curriculum. Students will receive targeted interventions based on Individualized Education Plan (IEP) goals, especially reading intervention.
The Integrated Language Arts course incorporates systematic, multi-sensory approaches to delivering standards-based instruction and curriculum that supports language development. ILA mirrors the general education curriculum but is modified in pace and level and tailored to meet the individual learning needs of its students. The reading curriculum encompasses fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and dramatic text with an emphasis on depth and a slower pace to allow for explicit instruction in reading comprehension skills, vocabulary growth and improved reading fluency. Instruction on analytic writing skills is woven throughout the study of literature and students are encouraged to improve their independent writing abilities as well as their comfort in utilizing assistive technology. Students are challenged to reach their goals in English Language Arts as dictated by their IEPs as well as to push themselves in the areas of self-advocacy and academic esteem.
Topics in English Literature supports development of reading comprehension, foundational writing skills, literary concepts, and listening and speaking skills through substantially modified curriculum and instruction. The reading curriculum encompasses fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and dramatic text with an emphasis on comprehension and occasionally some analysis. The class runs at a slower pace to allow for explicit instruction in reading comprehension skills and vocabulary growth. There is opportunity for flexible pacing, substantial modification, focused attention, and support on lessons, with significant instructional time dedicated to repetition and practice around foundational language arts skills. Writing and reading assignments will be completed in a highly scaffolded classroom environment.
This one semester course in global history is designed to acquaint students with a variety of world cultures. Students focus on developing reading of nonfiction texts, writing skills as well as test taking and study skills. The format of this course will stress hands-on projects as well as structured reading and writing assignments. Most of the projects and writing assignments will be completed in class, but regular homework will also be assigned. This class provides substantial teacher assistance with writing and reading as well as organizational skills.
This one semester course in United States history is organized thematically that will focus on the following themes. The format of the class will stress projects and hands-on assignments as well as structured reading and writing assignments. Most of the essay writing assignments will be completed in class, but regular homework will also be assigned. This class provides substantial teacher assistance with writing and reading as well as organizational skills.
Topics in Consumer Economics (8481)
Credits: 4
This one semester financial literacy course teaches students how to make wise financial decisions to promote financial well-being over their lifetime. The course teaches basic skills in understanding our financial system, including personal debt, money management, taxes, banking, financing post-secondary education choices, independent living skills and learning rights as a consumer and workplace rights. The class provides substantial teacher support with reading, writing, and creating projects. There is an emphasis on needed real life skills.
Topics in Mathematics 3 (8209)
Credits: 4
This third course of the intervention math sequence offers students additional opportunities to strengthen their number sense, their understanding of operations, their fluency with math facts and calculations, and their ability to apply mathematics to real life situations. In Topics in Math 3, students work on understanding and calculating percent increases and decreases in consumer settings, calculating interest rates, calculating and using statistical measures of central tendency, using algebraic formulas to solve word problems and understanding the use of graphs or data samples in persuasive advertising. Emphasis is once again on mastering the concepts and skills necessary to move forward towards the Algebra/Geometry sequence.
STEPs Program: The STEPs program is a substantially separate classroom designed to meet the needs of the students placed there through the IEP team process. The program is supported by a lead teacher, subject area co teachers who provide instruction in the program, a shared clinician, a therapeutic para, and additional paras as needed.
The following courses are offered in the Steps Program and are only open to students in the program. The curriculum and instruction include multimodal learning, adaptive pacing, and individualized assignments as needed.
Issues in Math (86041)
Credits: 4
This one semester block course is designed to provide varied and individualized instruction to students in a range of math topics from pre-algebra to Algebra 2. The course work is modified to meet the students at their instructional level and engage them in short lessons and independent work at their own pace.
Issues in Biology (86031)
Credits: 4
This one semester block course follows the state frameworks to prepare students for both the MCAS test and future science courses in high school. Hands on learning and visuals are emphasized. Students receive integrated support to complete assignments and organize a portfolio of work. Topics of study include the basic properties of living things, macromolecules, cells and cell processes, DNA, protein synthesis, genetics, natural selection and evolution.
Issues in English(86021)
Credits: 4
This one semester block course provides an individualized English curriculum which values student choice and interest. The course is designed to meet each student at their instructional level and supports development of reading comprehension, foundational writing skills, literary concepts, and listening and speaking skills through substantially modified curriculum and instruction.
This one semester course in United States history will focus on issues in US History thematically looking at social movements, US growth at home and abroad, War and Peace, and the immigrant experience. The format of the class will stress projects and hands-on assignments as well as structured reading and writing assignments. The essay writing assignments will be completed in class. This class provides substantial assistance with writing and reading as well as organizational skills.
Issues in Consumer Economics (86061)
Credits: 4
This one semester financial literacy course teaches students how to make wise financial decisions to promote financial well-being over their lifetime. The course teaches basic skills in understanding our financial system, including personal debt, money management, taxes, banking, financing post-secondary education choices, independent living skills and learning rights as a consumer and workplace rights. The class provides substantial teacher support with reading, writing, and creating projects. There is an emphasis on needed real life skills.
Issues in Democracy and Your Rights (not offered 24/25)
Credits: 4
This one semester course will focus on the founding of the American government and how to compare to other forms of government, the Constitution and the rights and responsibilities of citizens in a democratic society. In addition, the roles of political parties, campaigns & elections, public opinion, and the media will also be covered.
Pathways to Independence Program (PIP):
The Pathways to Independence Program (PIP) is a specially designed program for students requiring a significant level of support in planning for their transition into adulthood to become contributing members of their community. The embedded transition services are a coordinated set of activities that are based on the student's needs and that take into account individual preferences and interests. The three focus areas for transition service delivery are: preparedness for postsecondary education and training, employment and vocational skills, and community linkages and independent living skills. Person-Centered-Planning and self-determination are at the core of the program, beginning in 9th grade and carrying through 12+.
The following Pathways to Independence courses offer significantly modified curricula, aligned to Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks, using evidenced-based curriculum. All courses are semester based, earn 4 credits per semester, and are assessed by pass/fail grading.
Independent Living/Vocational Skills (8801)
Credits: 4 credits per semester
This course encompasses the development of skills in self-determination as it relates to living independently and gaining pre-employment skills necessary to engage in supportive or competitive employment. Skill development focuses on those necessary for healthful living, including indoor and outdoor safety, food preparation and healthy eating, home and workplace cleanliness, personal care and grooming, vocational awareness, and leisure skill development. The course may include travel training on the PVTA bus system, meal planning, shopping, money management, work-based experience, time management, adult agency linkages, and leisure activity interest exploration. Individual programming is tailored to interest and ability and functional academic and communication are embedded into all activities.
Functional Academics (8101)
Credits: 4 credits per semester
This course is designed to build fundamental reading, writing, mathematics and communication skills that students will use in their transition to adult life. Topics in literature, current events, geography, measurement, money management, estimation, data collection, and computer literacy are infused with functional applications that are highly differentiated to each student’s ability. Curricula include News2You, Unique Learning, Money Math, Teachtown Encore, and Edmark Reading. Students work on individualized goals in both small group and structured 1:1 setting.
Social Skills (833)
Credits: 4 credits per semester
This course focuses on skill development related to communication, perspective taking, teamwork, community building, boundaries and relationships, confidence, self-advocacy and self-determination, self-regulation, critical thinking and creative thinking. Students use the Whole Selves curriculum to identify different types of relationships and expected behaviors and boundaries for each relationship type.
Unified PE (8706)
Credits: 2 credit per quarter
Inclusive Physical Education class for students in the Pathways to Independence Program. Students will work with general education peer mentors through social skills such as friendship development as well as physical sport and fitness related skills.
Unified Performing Arts (8707)
Credits: 2 credit per quarter
Inclusive Performing Arts class for students in the Pathways to Independence Program. Students will work with general education peer mentors through social skills such as friendship development as well as theater and other creative skills.