The Specialized Resource Program (SRP) is designed to assist students who have a documented learning disability, ADHD, or a processing deficit. While these students have the potential to learn, they may struggle to reach their potential in a regular classroom. The goal of the program is to encourage students who may have become frustrated with learning by helping them realize their true potential. We do this by recognizing strengths and weaknesses and giving them the tools they need to gain success in areas of weakness. Students are carefully nurtured and encouraged, but also challenged to develop strong study skills and work habits.
Resources
For students in K5-6th Grade: Small group resource classes for students needing additional help to catch up to grade level or who would benefit from a small group environment with a teacher who specializes in teaching students with learning disabilities, ADHD/ ADD, and processing deficits. The classes offered will mainly be Resource Math and Resource English. Other classes will be considered as the need arises. These classes will take place at the same time as the regularly scheduled grade-level classes in those subjects.
For Students in 7th-12th Grade: A Tutorial Study Hall is available to middle school/ high school students who can keep up in the regular classroom but need daily assistance with study skills, organization, additional time for test-taking, and occasional re-teaching of material. English or Math. Resource classes will be made available for middle school students as needed.
Objectives
- To provide assistance in areas of difficulty
- To determine appropriate accommodations and/or modifications for students in general education classes
- To assist the student in developing study skills, time management skills, and personal organizational strategies
- To participate in scheduled parent/teacher conferences when requested
- To assist parents and faculty members with understanding the best practices for instructing students with disabilities
- To prepare students to be successful in general education classes
Areas of Eligibility
A specific learning disability is defined as a significant discrepancy between ability (IQ) and achievement in one or more academic areas:
Oral Expression
Listening Comprehension
Written Expression
Basic Reading Skills
Reading Comprehension
Mathematic Calculation
Mathematic Reasoning
Other Exceptionalities:
ADHD/ADD
Intellectual Disabilities
Developmental Disabilities
Documentation of the disability from a physician or psychologist /psychiatrist must be submitted to the Resource Director in order to verify eligibility.
Determination of Eligibility
Students who are applying to Greenville Christian Academy for the first time and wish to be considered for enrollment in the Specialized Resource Program must produce a current IEP or current pyscho-educational testing (within 3 years). The Resource Director will review those records. If she determines that there is the possibility of an opening for the student, she will notify the Administrator, who will then contact the parents to proceed with the online application process. (Be sure to check the box on the application for Specialized Resources Program). Once the initial online application is completed and the application fee is paid, the Resource Director will contact the parents to set up a meeting to describe the program in more detail and determine the need of the student. Following the meeting, a second interview with the Administrator will be scheduled by the school office. Current students at Greenville Christian Academy who are struggling to perform at grade level in their core courses may be considered for enrollment in the Specialized Resources Program. The teacher, parents, and Resource Director will meet to discuss possible interventions to be considered before initiating the referral process. If the student continues to struggle, the Resource Director will refer the student for testing by an outside licensed educational psychologist for IQ and achievement testing. Test results will be used to determine whether or not it is appropriate to place the student in resource classes. GCA is not equipped for medically fragile students.
Student Responsibilities
We expect the students to:
Follow directions
Complete assignments on time
Demonstrate a cooperate attitude
Attend all help classes offered by teachers
Ask for help whenever necessary
Accept help when it is offered by a teacher
Be on time to class with proper materials
Listen in class and take notes when appropriate
Demonstrate effort
Inform the Resource Director after a failed test or quiz
Attempt all assignments
When absent, make up all missing work
Treat all other students with respect
Parent Responsibilities
God has given parents the leadership role in their children’s education (Deut. 11:18-19; Eph. 6:4; Ps. 78:1-8; Ps. 127:3-5; Prov. 19:27). It is the purpose of Greenville Christian Academy to partner with the home to provide a quality Christian Education, both in the general setting and the resource setting. The Resource Director will maintain regular contact with parents through email, phone, or face-to-face meetings when appropriate. Parents are encouraged to contact the Resource Director regarding their questions or concerns at any time.
We depend on parents to:
Follow specific, agreed-upon teacher recommendations regarding their child.
Provide a designated study time and study area at home each evening for homework.
Check RenWeb weekly or more often to stay appraised of assignments and grades.
Monitor students’ homework agenda and homework.
Encourage and praise their student for notable accomplishments and improvements made.
Support teachers’ efforts to help their students be successful in the classroom.
General Education Teacher Responsibilities
Our Resource Teacher(s) work(s) very closely with general education teachers in helping them understand the learning differences of the students in their classrooms. They offer strategies for instructing the resource students and give assistance with applying modifications as necessary.
Notify resource teacher(s) when the student fails a test
Provide study guides in advance of tests
Implement the agreed-upon modifications and accommodations
Communicate with parents regarding low test scores or concerns
Copy resource teachers on emails to parents regarding behavior or academic concerns
Accommodations
Only students who have a documented learning disability, ADHD, processing deficit, or cognitive impairment are eligible for an Individual Student Plan (ISP). Accommodations are alterations made in the way that academic content is presented or assessed but do not alter the curriculum standards or grade level of the material. Accommodations are not noted on the student’s report card.
Examples of accommodations are the following:
Preferential seating
Provide a copy of the notes
Allow students to take pictures of notes on the board
Reduce the amount of homework if necessary
Allow calculator use
Allow students to use formulas
Do not deduct for spelling
Allow use of audible books
Extended time for tests
Allow for separate settings for tests
Read aloud for tests
Modifications
Modifications are changes that are made to the curriculum for students with disabilities who are unable to comprehend all the content in a particular course. For example, assignments might be modified significantly for a student with cognitive impairments that limit his/her ability to understand the content in the student’s general education. These modifications are documented on the student’s report card.
Examples of modifications are:
Reduce the amount of information the student is required to master for tests/quizzes.
Alter writing and reading assignments to match student’s abilities.
Shorten memorization assignments.
Adjust spelling and vocabulary lists to lower grade levels.
General Policies
After a child has been accepted into the program, the cost of the program will be added to the student’s annual tuition and distributed according to the desired payment plan. Only students who are enrolled in either a resource class and/or Tutorial Study Hall are eligible for an Individualized Student Plan (ISP) generated by the school. The ISP team (regular classroom teacher, resource center teacher, and parents) will discuss and agree upon the
following:
Resource classes the student will be enrolled
Eligibility for accommodations on standardized testing
Classroom accommodations for general education classes
Course modifications for general education classes