Modified Special Education Programs

Under Chapter 766, Oakmont Regional offers a wide range of opportunities for students with special needs. Services are only open to students who have been evaluated by an assessment team and have a current, signed Individual Education Plan (I.E.P.). The I.E.P. Team will determine correct placement for each student according to his/her current I.E.P.

001 Organizational Study Skills I - Full Semester - 1.00 Credit

This course is designed for the tenth grade student to help them develop study skills crucial for success in their academic classes. Specific skills taught include; organization, completing assignments, effective reading of textbooks, test taking, following directions, outlining and note taking skills. Students will be responsible for keeping an assignment notebook.

This course will also prepare these students for the English/Language Arts portion of the MCAS exam. Students will review literary and poetic terms, review grammar skills, practice reading comprehension skills, work on open response questions, and practice writing for the long composition. Students will also prepare for the Mathematics portion of the MCAS exam, receiving tutoring to reinforce algebra and geometry concepts.

002 Organizational Study Skills II - Full Semester - 1.00 Credit

This course is designed for special needs students in grades 11 and 12 who require additional support for academic study skills. Students will continue their development of study skill habits and methods that will help them succeed in the classroom and in career planning. Students will explore the first steps of career planning while learning the skills needed to succeed in school and the workplace. Throughout this course students will be provided with instruction on building their research skills for career planning and guidance in choosing an appropriate career pathway.

011 Practical English - Full Semester - 1.00 Credit

The Practical English class parallels the Standard English 9 curriculum at a level commensurate with the abilities of the students. This course is designed to focus on the skills needed to increase each student’s reading levels and writing skills. Students will gain exposure to short stories, Greek mythology, Shakespearean drama, novels, grammar study and application, as well as the writing of compositions and a research paper.

016 Foundations in Reading - Full Semester - 1.00 Credit

Foundations in Reading is designed to develop and enhance the skills involved in reading. Phonemic awareness is the primary goal of this course, utilizing systematic programs for decoding the English language. Additional emphasis will be placed on working toward improving reading comprehension, critical thinking skills, fluency and the skills needed for various forms of writing. Specific curriculum is designed to meet each student’s individual needs.

Upon successful completion of this course students may be recommended for Reading Workshop courses.

041 Practical Mathematics I - Full Semester - 1.00 Credit

The Practical Mathematics course is designed to help the special needs student review and reinforce previously learned math operations. Learning will be accomplished through a process of reading, using and integrating information founded on basic mathematical principles. Through this course, a basic skill or concept will be presented and then followed by practice activities and exercises. The essential math concepts will be presented in a clear and direct way, in small, manageable steps. Specific areas of instruction will include: basic operations using whole numbers, fractions and mixed numbers, decimals and percents, reading graphs/tables, introductory algebra, basic geometry and equations. Students successfully completing this course should have developed those necessary math competencies required for entry into another course offering within Oakmont’s math curriculum.

042 Practical Mathematics II - Full Semester - 1.00 Credit

This course will provide for active participation by the student in the learning process and more application of the concepts learned in the Practical Mathematics I course. It will give students the tools they need to understand mathematical principles and apply them competently to daily challenges.

Students will review previously learned mathematical skills and be provided with opportunities to apply the skill in practical situations. They will learn strategies for solving both routine and non-routine problems relating to everyday real life issues, such as understanding the problem, using data, using graphs, choosing the correct computational operation and giving estimations.

043 Practical Mathematics III - Full Semester - 1.00 Credit

The Mathematics for Consumers course will be the third in a series of special education math courses. It will focus on utilizing basic math skills in everyday living situations. Students will be provided with comprehensive instruction for developing those mathematical skills necessary for independent living. Areas covered within this course will include earning money, budgeting/banking/investing, paying taxes, buying food, shopping, buying and maintaining a car, and preparing for careers.

019 Career Life Skills Excel (Grades 9,10,11,12) Full Semester - 1.00 credit

This course is designed for students with specific educational objectives, which correspond to each individual’s educational plan. Freshmen and sophomores participate in school based jobs while juniors and seniors choose two community-based job internships per year. Staff serves as job coaches throughout each internship. Practical leisure and fitness activities, skills assessment, career exploration, on site job observations, shadowing, problem solving, appropriate work behaviors and social skills are practiced and emphasized throughout this course.

021 Life Skills English Excel (Grades 9,10,11,12) Full Semester - 1.00 credit

This course is designed for students with specific educational objectives that correspond to each individual’s educational plan. Basic reading and comprehension skills as well as practical written and verbal communication skills are the focus of this course. Problem solving, decision making, functional word processing, computer and internet skills are taught for employment and daily living situations.

024 Life Skills Math Excel (Grades 9,10,11,12) Full Semester - 1.00 credit

This course is designed for students with specific educational objectives that correspond to each individual’s educational plan. This course emphasizes the use of practical mathematical applications through the use of shopping, preparing vending deposits, food preparation, seasonal based activities and school/community services. The focus of these activities is to increase independence in calculator skills, estimation, shopping and budgeting math, restaurant math, time skills, and everyday word problems.