Pathways program

RPS Pathways Program: A Comprehensive, Flexible Approach to Supporting Student Success

The Pathways Program is designed to meet the needs of elementary students whose learning requirements surpass the scope of the traditional Learning Center/Resource Room model but who do not require the intensive behavioral supports or discrete trial instruction (DTI) provided by programs like RISE. It is an innovative, flexible program that blends academic instruction with adaptive skill development, emphasizing individualized curriculum modifications and continuous, interdisciplinary service delivery to foster growth in all areas of a student’s development.

Who Does the Pathways Program Serve?

The Pathways Program serves a diverse group of students with a variety of learning profiles and needs. Key characteristics of students in Pathways include:

• Varied disability profiles: There is no single primary disability that defines Pathways students; they may have cognitive, language, or motor vulnerabilities, but generally fall within one standard deviation of the norm in these areas.
  
  

• Multidisciplinary needs: These students often have goals shared across multiple service providers and require coordinated support.
  
  

• Increased service time: They need more intensive and frequent support than typically provided in Learning Centers.
  
  

• Curriculum modification: Students require significant modifications—beyond typical accommodations—in multiple academic areas to access instruction.
  
  

• Functional and adaptive skill focus: Many benefit from alternative curriculum tools that emphasize life skills, safety, and communication.
  
  

• Small group instruction: This allows focused teaching of daily living skills and promotes social interaction.
  
  

• Community learning: Opportunities to practice skills in real-world settings, including school community and field trips.
  
  

• Social engagement: While they have the ability to engage with peers, students often need structured, meaningful opportunities to do so.
  
  

• Inclusive experiences: Students spend meaningful parts of their day in general education settings, often with paraeducator support but sometimes independently.
  
  

What Makes the Pathways Program Unique?

Unlike the traditional Learning Center, which primarily focuses on accommodations and specialized instruction within the academic curriculum, Pathways delivers a more comprehensive, flexible, and collaborative model of support that includes:

• Flexible service delivery: Instruction and supports are provided in the settings and times that best meet student needs—whether that is in small groups, general education classrooms, or community environments.
  
  

• Individualized curriculum modifications: Teachers have the time and resources to deeply modify and differentiate curriculum materials, using alternative tools that align with each student’s functional and academic profile.
  
  

• Low student-to-adult ratios: This ensures intensive, personalized instruction and allows teachers to respond dynamically to student progress.
  
  

• Integrated interdisciplinary services: Special educators, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, and others collaborate regularly to develop unified goals and strategies, enhancing carry-over across settings.
  
  

• Focus on functional skills: Instruction includes adaptive and daily living skills, safety awareness, communication strategies, and social skills embedded throughout the school day and reinforced in community-based experiences.
  
  

• Community engagement: When appropriate, students participate in supervised community outings to practice skills in real-world contexts, reinforcing their independence and self-confidence.
  
  

• Social opportunities: Pathways emphasizes meaningful peer interactions through structured social groups and inclusive activities, fostering connection and social competence.
  
  

Benefits for Students and Families

Students in the Pathways Program gain from a richly supportive educational environment that:

• Addresses the whole child: Academic achievement is paired with growth in independence, communication, social skills, and functional abilities.
  
  

• Promotes generalization of skills: Through consistent interdisciplinary collaboration and community experiences, skills learned in one setting transfer across multiple environments.
  
  

• Builds social confidence: By providing small group instruction and structured peer engagement, students develop meaningful friendships and social connections.
  
  

• Supports inclusion: Students participate in general education classrooms and activities to the greatest extent appropriate, promoting belonging and access.
  
  

• Offers individualized pacing: Flexible service delivery means instruction can be adjusted based on evolving student needs and progress.
  
  

Program Locations and Growth

The Pathways Program currently serves cohorts at VPES and RES, with planned expansion to SRMS and ERMS in the 2025-26 school year. This growth reflects the district’s commitment to providing responsive, high-quality programs that meet the unique needs of all learners and support their success academically, socially, and functionally.