Mount Si High School
Program Model
Mount Si High School uses a variety of program models to meet the needs of every student. The programs offered include Enrichment and Resource Room for Language Arts, Math, Science, S.T.E.P., Social Studies and/or Social Sciences, and Life Skills. An IEP meeting that includes the student and parent determines placement. Placement is reviewed at least yearly, if not more often. Currently, Mount Si's special education team consists of five full time special education teachers, five paraprofessionals, a part-time psychologist, a part-time speech and language pathologist and a part-time occupational therapist. The school also has three full-time counselors and a career specialist, who are available to every student.
Materials
A variety of materials and instructional techniques are used with special education students. A partial list follows:
Reading:
Writing:
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Math:
Spelling:
Testing:
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Paraprofessionals
Paraprofessionals are used in a variety of ways at Mount Si. The job of each paraprofessional is very dependent on the individual needs of each student. Paraprofessionals work in the general education classes to assist special education students with note taking, project completion, homework assignments and behavior management. They also assist in monitoring the lunchroom, break area and transitioning between classes. The paraprofessionals also help with the feeding and changing of students. Often the paraprofessionals assist students during test time by administering tests to the student orally. Paraprofessionals also provide a vital link between the mainstream classroom teachers and the special education teachers.
Special Classes Offered
Enrichment: This class is designed to provide direct instruction to students in their deficit/goal areas, and to provide support for their general education classes. In addition, students may complete tests during Enrichment when extra time is needed. This is an elective credit and meets every day for one period. In addition to working on their qualifying areas, students are also required to keep a daily assignment log and complete progress reports signed by every teacher and their parent every two weeks.
*Resource Room Language Arts: This class is for students who are several grade levels below in Language Arts. Skills taught include reading fluency, comprehension, writing and spelling. Students are taught using a variety of materials. The goal of this class is to bring students up to a level where they can be successful in the mainstream English classes or to give each student the skills necessary to be productive citizens upon graduation.
*Resource Room Math: Like the Resource Room Language Arts, this class is for students who are several grade levels below in Math. Basic computation skills are taught along with an introduction into Pre-Algebra. Many skills are taught in real life situations such as using math to balance a checkbook.
Resource Room Social Studies: This class is designed for students who are several grade levels below in reading or writing, or those students who struggle with attention or on-task issues in general education classes. Classes rotate on a semester basis, and include US History, World History, Washington State History, American Law, American Government, World Cultures, World Geography, and Current Issues. In addition, students are taught how to take notes during a lecture class format and how to write two-page research reports.
Life Skills Block: This two-period class is designed to offer diverse functional skills that students will use throughout their lives. In this class, students explore issues dealing with personal health, accessing the community, social skills and interpersonal relationships, survival skills, household skills, shopping, cooking, banking, using the public transportation system and library systems, assembly-line work, using the telephone for various purposes, simple sewing projects, crafts, and numerous recreational opportunities (dining out, bowling, golfing). Students are introduced to and practice the basic job skills necessary to work in a store, restaurant/cafeteria, and grounds keeping. Regularly scheduled lessons are also taught in tandem with the school psychologist, the occupational therapist, and the speech/language pathologist. Reading, writing, and math tasks are incorporated into each learning experience.
S.T.E.P.: This is a two period class in which students receive one credit for English and one Elective credit. The students in this program are actually working off school grounds at a professional job. Students learn how to interview, explore career options, discuss issues with boss, and how to keep a job. Students practice and learn important job-related social skills. Students must interview with a supervisor to get a job. Four days a week students are at the job during the school day. A special education teacher and a paraprofessional visit each job site to assist the students in learning how to be a good employee. On the fifth day, students meet together to discuss issues that have come up and brainstorm solutions. It is during this time that various professionals from the Eastside come to talk about their careers. Students must be in the eleventh or twelfth grade to take this class.
Social Sciences: This class is a hands-on class designed for very low readers. This class is a combination history and science class in which real life skills are taught. Such things as reading a weather forecast, reading a state map, or growing plants are taught in this class.
*There are different sections of these classes and the curriculum of each class is determined by the needs of the students.
