Special Education
The RHAM Special Education Department develops, implements, reviews, maintains, and evaluates an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for each student requiring special education and related services. Special education students are educated in the least restrictive environment with their non-disabled peers, to the greatest extent possible. A full continuum of programs and services are offered.
Note: The Planning and Placement Team (PPT), which consists of the student, parents, teachers, and other school personnel, cooperatively plans an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for all special education students. The IEP is a written document citing the goals/objectives, content, implementation, and evaluation of a student’s educational program. The Planning and Placement Team, the School Counseling Department, the student, and parent collaborate in the selection of supports that are consistent with the IEP.
The RHAM Special Education department offers student support services appropriate to each student’s needs. A variety of courses are available. Selection of program courses is based on PPT decisions.
A collaborative service model provides additional support, modifications and accommodations for special education students who are enrolled in courses supported by special education and regular education faculty. The Special Education Department also offers courses with modified curriculums to develop basic skills along with subject area content and concepts. Study Skills classes are also offered by the Special Education Department to address needs in processing, understanding, and responding to and learning the general education curriculum.
The Special Education Department offers additional specialized programs, related services and courses outside of the mainstream to the extent needed to meet the individual academic, social, emotional, and/or physical needs of students. These programs include:
REACH (Life Skills/Vocational Program): provides intensive services and individualized instruction in functional academics, with an emphasis on life and daily living skills, social/behavioral skills, and communication skills. Prevocational and vocational training are offered on-site and in the community. Participation in courses requires PPT placement.
STEP Academy (Striving Towards Educational Progress): provides a structured therapeutic classroom setting designed to address academic and/or behavioral needs with the goal of preparing students to participate successfully and more fully in regular education classes. Participation in courses requires PPT placement.
School Resilience Program: provides a smaller, supportive learning environment for students who experience school-related anxiety, which results in difficulty with school attendance. Students are supported through an individualized program, which includes both academic and emotional support as they work to identify and apply self-management skills for learning in the school setting. Students in grades seven through twelve with an active IEP or 504 plan are eligible for a referral to the program through the PPT or 504 process.
LINKS TO ALL SPECIAL EDUCATION COURSES