Students who normally receive services will have access to everything they need in response to their unique needs including response to intervention, special education programming, and English Language Instruction. Instructional and non-instructional RTI provides supports through a multi-tiered approach to ensure all students can access remote learning tools and participate in Explore Schools’ programming during remote and in person instruction. Changes to the services provided are listed below.

Paraprofessionals will be able to support students during remote learning to provide up to 3 hours a day of direct support. Please reach out to your school administration for details what the support will look like.

Response to Intervention (RTI)

• Non-instructional RTI focuses on attendance, engagement, and participation in remote learning as well as school culture data points. Progress is monitored via network trackers and discussed during biweekly non-instructional RTI meetings, which occur via Zoom.

• Instructional RTI focuses on providing a multi-tiered system of support in literacy and math through universal screening, progress monitoring, and pedagogical and practice shift meetings.

• In math, I-Ready and Interims provide data points for universal screening and intervention planning. Assessments are administered remotely. Interventions are delivered through a responsive math intervention period provided during synchronous instruction. Progress is monitored via network trackers and discussed during weekly RTI meetings, which occur via Zoom.

• Literacy, I-Ready, and F&P assessments provide data points for universal screening and intervention planning. Assessments are administered remotely. Tiered interventions are delivered through a small group instruction period provided during synchronous instruction. Progress is monitored via network trackers and discussed during weekly RTI meetings, which occur via Zoom.

Individualized Education Plans (IEPs)

Students will be able to receive the special education services that are mandated on their IEPs and work toward IEP goals during related services, SETSS, ICT, and 12:1:1 programming. Additionally, BIPs will be implemented by teachers, social workers, paras, and service providers. BIPs will be monitored and revisited every 4 weeks and modified accordingly to meet the needs of each student. Please see the Appendix 11: Special Education & ELL Recommendations for how each service will be scheduled during remote learning and during in person instruction.

Explore Schools identifies students in need of a referral to special education as part of its Response to Intervention process. Students who are recommended for educational evaluations and special education services are referred to the Committee on Special Education. Explore Schools works closely with the CSE to ensure all evaluations and IEP meetings occur within 60 days from the date of consent. CSE meetings will be scheduled remotely via teleconference and video conference platforms. Students in need of 504 accommodations will be identified through our response to intervention and multi-tiered system of supports process. Schools will partner with families to implement 504 referrals and accommodations during remote instruction.

English Language Learners (ELLs)

All ELLs receive ENL services according to the program recommendations based on their proficiency levels. Detailed programming information for ELLs during remote and hybrid instruction is provided on pages 4-6 of Appendix 11: Special Education & ELL Recommendations.

Youngest Learners

We know remote instruction is hardest for our youngest students, especially those in Kindergarten and 1^st grade. Wherever possible we will provide more in-person instruction for our youngest students, with all students receiving a minimum of 2 days of instruction as part of the hybrid model. We have also adjusted our K-2 Scope and Sequences to ensure there is ample time for small group instruction. Additionally, each school has developed plans for how they will support students with remote learning and what tools they will provide families to support their children’s learning at home. This support may include physical learning tools and resources like books, workbooks, manipulatives, but also trainings for families on using Google Classroom, Zoom and other on-line resources.