Special Education Program for Students a Grand Success

Parents and teachers as well as the government give emphasis to the importance of education. That is why a special education program was created for students; this extended education service program by the Special Education Department catered to about 59 students during the summer. These students participated in a special education program that aimed to help them get ready for school.

According to Nancy R. Taylor, the department’s interim superintendent, the program is part of their IEP, or Individual Education Plan. Taylor also added that the department’s goal is to further educate the students, address individual concerns or needs, and improve their skills. This will then enable them to perform well and eventually become excellent students.

The Student Services’ interim executive director, Charles Jodoin, recently presented on this year’s special education program mentioning that the program was conducted in 11 classrooms wherein 11 teachers volunteered to lead. There were also 19 teaching assistants as well as four related service staff, such as occupational, speech and physical therapists.

Staff and students helped create the program. Activities included in them were:

• An ice cream day
• A field day
• A joyride on the Carousel of Light in Falmouth, MA (Cape Cod)
• Trips to the supermarket or grocery stores where the students learned several life skills like the purchase and check out of products or items
• Visiting the community and learning leisure skills

The activities in the program not only taught the students to learn academic things but also lessons that they will use or that will come in handy as they grow up and live their own lives.

Jodoin stated that academic learning was a big part in the program. It was conducted in small classrooms where the teachers and assistants gave great attention to the individual needs of the students. Focusing on copy machine skills and computer skills of students was also included.

The special education program has been greatly useful in helping students improve academically. The students also learned a lot of things that can be applied or used throughout their lives. Indeed, it’s a grand success.