IEP teams will be challenged to help special needs students make their decisions. Everyone deserves the right to make a choice. A section of the RFP addresses special needs students. Special education teachers need to be advocates for their students as proposals are designed, just as they are advocates for their students now. Schools will be centered on our community-created district goals.
Life skills are a major component of each small school.
Students who are below grade level and deficient in necessary skills are really frustrated in college prep classes because they cannot do the work. Administrators need to see this first hand. As Joe Nathan shared with us Friday, this isn't just theory. Our recent visit to New York City showed us that there are and can be schools with students well below grade level who are challenged by a staff with high expectations. These schools and teachers create internal support systems, such as additional reading courses, summer school, and tutoring.