Swain County High School (SCHS) is a rural school in the western most part of the state. It is the only high school in the county and currently serves 584 students. Of these students, 58% are considered economically disadvantaged and 25% are classified as exceptional. Within the school the two primary ethnic groups are 68% white and 26% Native American. Because we are the only high school in the county there is a strong sense of community support, especially for extra-curricular activities such as sports and band. I worked very closely with the school guidance counselor, Barbara Sneed on several of these components. I also worked with our exceptional children’s department, Joanna McMahan, and Joyce Messer, the district EC director, Mike Treadway,
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SCHS is in compliance of all state and federal laws concerning the special populations. There are a few communication issues that should be addressed by both the principal and the EC teachers. A real RtI or MTSS model should be put in place in the high school. This would help address the data which revealed less than 5% of EC students are proficient on EOC tests. I included in my list of recommendations for EC teachers to lead some in-house PD sessions about communication, laws, and how to use an IEP to change your instruction and meet the identified needs of these …show more content…
Adheres to legal requirements for planning and instructional time.
For this descriptor I learned through reading and talking with the EC Director and teachers that laws surrounding students with disabilities do not lend themselves to be ignored. Failure to comply with these laws and requirements can lead to lawsuits. There are several requirements involving EC students and discipline. EC students are not immune to punishment; they are however guaranteed services even if that is at the schools expense. Planning times should be used to differentiate your assignments to accommodate the requirement s of IEP’s. I see a disconnect between compliance and practice however. This was eye-opening for me, as a classroom teacher you must follow accommodations but you should work closely with the EC department and be receptive of their feedback of how to make this better for the EC students. I was amazed at how many teachers don’t take the time to do this. As a future administrator I think developing a strong relationship with the EC department and fostering a strong relationship with them the rest of the staff is critical to serve the needs of these students.
SCHS is in compliance of all state and federal laws concerning the special populations. There are a few communication issues that should be addressed by both the principal and the EC teachers. A real RtI or MTSS model should be put in place in the high school. This would help address the data which revealed less than 5% of EC students are proficient on EOC tests. I included in my list of recommendations for EC teachers to lead some in-house PD sessions about communication, laws, and how to use an IEP to change your instruction and meet the identified needs of these …show more content…
Adheres to legal requirements for planning and instructional time.
For this descriptor I learned through reading and talking with the EC Director and teachers that laws surrounding students with disabilities do not lend themselves to be ignored. Failure to comply with these laws and requirements can lead to lawsuits. There are several requirements involving EC students and discipline. EC students are not immune to punishment; they are however guaranteed services even if that is at the schools expense. Planning times should be used to differentiate your assignments to accommodate the requirement s of IEP’s. I see a disconnect between compliance and practice however. This was eye-opening for me, as a classroom teacher you must follow accommodations but you should work closely with the EC department and be receptive of their feedback of how to make this better for the EC students. I was amazed at how many teachers don’t take the time to do this. As a future administrator I think developing a strong relationship with the EC department and fostering a strong relationship with them the rest of the staff is critical to serve the needs of these students.