Special Populations

Special Populations at Haven

Haven Academy employs inclusive practices to create access for all learners so that they have an engaging and successful educational experience. One of the ways we do this is through dedicated attention to students who receive special education services and students who are identified as English Language Learners (ELLs).

The Special Populations Team serves students and families through direct instructional practices, advocacy efforts, and workshops for both families and teachers. The Special Populations Team also supports teachers in removing barriers within the classroom so that an inclusive learning environment can be maintained.

Learn more about the Special Populations Team structure at Haven here: Special Populations Org. Chart

Overview of Special Education Services

Haven teachers partner with the Special Populations Team to implement instructional approaches that support the individual needs of students. The use of co-teaching model structures, adaptive materials, and intentional curriculum planning with all students in mind creates inclusive classroom environments.

All classrooms at Haven are co-taught. Co-teaching creates a more collaborative and supportive environment for students and teachers, and it gives teachers the flexibility to meet the diverse needs and interests of all students. This includes being able to provide necessary accommodations for students with IEP and 504 Plan services.

For students who have IEPs, the Special Populations Team manages the entire IEP process: including parent outreach, data and reports for the meeting, facilitating the meeting with the Committee on Special Education, and making sure all requirements for compliance are met. Most grade levels have two Integrated Co-Teaching classrooms [taught by both a general and a special education teacher]. Additionally, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech, hearing, and counseling services are offered.

If students need additional support, students cycle through small group interventions on an as needed basis. At the request of a family and/ or after all interventions and accommodations have been exhausted, the Special Populations Team supports students and their families through the entire Individualized Education Plan (IEP) process - from pre-referral and evaluations through the renewal process. They also work closely with any collateral agencies, such as medical providers, specialists, and mental health teams, from whom the child receives treatment.

Overview of English as a New Language (ENL) Services

All students are linguistically complex. At Haven we value a student’s home language while still ensuring that students become proficient in English for the world they live in. In order to be considered an English Language Learner (ELL) and thus be entitled to corresponding language services as part of the ENL program, students must score below proficient on the NYSITELL (New York State Identification Test for English Language Learners). Each spring, these ELLs then take the NYSESLAT (New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test) to determine how much progress they have made over the year. Students can score at five levels: entering, emerging, transitioning, expanding, and commanding. When students reach the “commanding” level they are no longer classified as an ELL.

At Haven, around 15% of students are classified as ELLs. Depending on the student’s results on the NYSESLAT or NYSITELL and individual linguistic needs, the ENL team at Haven will develop a plan of support. We currently run a stand-alone ENL, or pull-out, program. An ENL teacher works with ELLs on targeted vocabulary instruction and employs the “sheltered instruction” model, which integrates content and language instruction, in order to connect language learning to what is happening in the classroom. The ENL team also supports teachers to amend instruction or provide support in the classroom for ELLs, and regularly checks in with teachers on how the ELLs are doing in the classroom.

The number of ELLs at Haven, particularly newcomer ELLs, has increased in recent years. Haven continues to adjust and amend its instructional focus and ENL priorities as part of its 3-year-plan in order to meet the emerging needs of its students. Areas of focus included in this plan are: the ENL Program Vision, School-Wide ENL Procedures & Systems, ENL Instruction & Content, Staff Development, Work with Families, and Data Analysis.

Key Resources for Special Populations at Haven

1. Co-Teaching PD Series Slide Deck: Refresher on professional development for Haven teachers on co-teaching.

2. Co-Teaching Cafe: Frequently used documents to support excellent co-teaching.

3. Special Education Documents Inventory: Utilize this inventory to find the document you need for supporting students through the pre-referral and IEP process.

4. ENL Program/Regulation Overview Slide Deck: An overview of the identification process, important terminology, state tests, and entitled services for ELLs.

5. ENL Teacher Resources Folder: Includes a variety of resources and general information that staff may find helpful (both ENL program-related and best practices for teaching ELLs)

** Additional key resources for the Special Populations Team are dependent upon yearly enrollment and data. As such, please reach out to respective team members to obtain up to date information for your grade level(s) and/ or students.