Special Education Program Pathways
The York Catholic District School Board seeks to help all students reach their full potential, regardless of how unique or special their needs may be. The Board endorses the integration of learners with a focus on providing the most enabling learning environment recognizing the need for a continuum of responses.
Our schools recognize the differences in students, and adapt programs to meet their needs. Some are exceptional and may require special programs and services. The Board will make every effort to provide such service in the students’ home schools. Where this is not possible, transportation is provided to other schools and centres where the necessary programs and services are available.
GLOSSARY OF SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN SECONDARY SCHOOL
CORE RESOURCE PROGRAM (CORE)
Serves a wide variety of students with mild to moderate learning challenges in all exceptionality areas. These students may be fully integrated in the regular class with appropriate accommodations or may be withdrawn from class for part of each day for specialized instruction.
EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT PROGRAM (ES)
Serves students with a mild intellectual disability on a regular classroom register usually with age-appropriate peers. Students have a program focused to provide specialized instruction to support academic learning, daily living skills, vocational skills, social skills, independence, and transition planning. Implementation of the individualized program is a collaboration between classroom teacher and the Core Resource Teacher with additional support, as required.
FUNCTIONAL LIFE SKILLS PROGRAM (FLS)
The program focus is functional literacy and numeracy at the appropriate cognitive level, daily living skills, communication, social skills, self-regulation, independence, vocational skills, and transition planning. The individualized program supports ongoing needs; such as communication and physical challenges. Implementation of the uniquely designed program is a collaboration between classroom teacher and the special education teacher with additional supports as required.
Students are integrated in mainstream classes, and are enrolled in some FLS segregated classes (typically 1 each semester).
SOCIAL COMMUNICATION PROGRAM (SCP)
Serves students with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder are enrolled in their home school on a regular classroom register, usually with age-appropriate peers. They have a program focused to provide specialized instruction relating to their environment and acquiring the full range of academic skills. The individualized program includes strategies to support academics at the appropriate level, communication, sensory-motor integration, social awareness, self-regulation, and transition planning. Implementation of the uniquely designed program is a collaboration between classroom teacher and the special education teacher with additional supports, as required.
The delivery of service ranges from resource withdrawal to specialized course offerings. Student range is abilities and needs; can be credit and non-credit bearing.
PROGRAM FOR ACADEMIC AND CREATIVE EXTENSION (P.A.C.E)
Serves students who have been found to be intellectually advanced. (At this time, SJDB does not offer this program at this time)
Each school is serviced by a Board resource team that supports the school staff working with these students. This multidisciplinary team includes a Special Education Consultant and/or Special Education Department Head, a Speech and Language Pathologist, Physical and Occupational Therapist, Behaviour Resource staff, and Psychologist.
Delivering an education that is appropriate to the strengths and needs of students receiving special education programs and services is the goal of all partners in Special Education.