Department Chair: Ms. Peg Beauchemin

Special Education Department

Mission Statement

The Portsmouth School Department recognizes that some students require specialized instruction and/or services to achieve success in school. In order to provide appropriate educational opportunities designed to meet each student’s unique learning needs, Portsmouth High School offers a continuum of special program options.

Co-Taught Patriot Block

During Patriot Block, PHS's Accelerated Learning Program. special educators deliver specially-designed instruction (SDI) to students with IEPs. Patriot Blocks are co-taught by general educators who serve as academic coaches supporting math and literacy intervention, while special educators provide targeted small group and one-to-one instruction aligned with students' IEP goal areas, focusing on skills such as reading comprehension, written expression, mathematical reasoning, and executive functioning.

See "Patriot Block" for additional details on PHS's Accelerated Learning Program and for specific Patriot Block course descriptions.

Academic Support Center

The Academic Support Center is a dedicated space where students with IEPs or 504s receive "in-the-moment" academic support and/or accommodations from a special educator during their content courses. The Academic Support Center is open every period of the school day to ensure access at any point necessary during regular instruction.

TAP Access

TAP Access is provided through the Response to Intervention process to TAP students who demonstrate a high level of social-emotional need. With TAP Access, students are provided "in-the-moment" individualized social-emotional support from a special educator during their content courses. TAP is open every period of the school day to ensure access at any point necessary during regular instruction.

Adaptive Physical Education (APE)

(1920) 0.5 credit

Semester ⚾

This program is designed to meet the needs of individuals who may require adaptations or modifications in Physical Education because of medical or other limiting factors. A specialized Individual Education Plan (IEP) is developed and implemented based on specific recommendations or physician referral.

Life Skills Program

This program is specific to special education students who qualify for alternate assessment. The curriculum is individualized to help students learn career readiness skills, gain community and employment experience, and increase their activities of daily living skills.

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