Special Education

*Offered on a rotational basis dependent on individual student needs

Students enrolled in Special Education classes must meet educational guidelines for Special Education as established by the Illinois State Board of Education and have the recommendation of the Case Manager.  Course content parallels that offered in the standard program and is based on Illinois Learning Standards.

ENGLISH LITERATURE & LANGUAGE 1-4 (Grades 9-12, Levels A,B,C) Enrollment based on test scores, student motivation and teacher recommendation.  GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:  Level A:  A parallel class to Lit and Lang, the focus is on reading and the analysis of literature along with skill development in reading, writing, grammar, listening and critical thinking skills. Level B:  Emphasis is on reading comprehension, grammar, pre-writing and writing organization, speaking and English fundamentals for everyday situations. Level C:  Emphasis is on the basics of English including reading comprehension, writing, speaking, listening and applying skills to everyday situations. (ST# 01001A000, 01002A000, 01003A000, 01004A000, or 01009A000)

READING 1-2 (Grades 9-12, Leveled)  GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION:  An elective course designed to improve decoding, reading for information using a variety of reading materials and writing using reading skills through a concentrated course of reading strategies and vocabulary work.  The course includes individual assessment, goal setting, and some computer work.  Recommend concurrent enrollment with Literature and Language Levels A,B, or C level English.  This course is required if a student shows eligibility based on reading assessments at middle school or high school levels.  (ST# 01067A000 or 01068A000)

HEARING IMPAIRED ENGLISH - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION:  See Special Education English (above).  (ST# 01009A000)

HEARING IMPAIRED MATH - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION:  See Special Education Math (above).  (ST# 02071A000 or 02151A000)

MATH (Grades 9-12, Leveled) - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: Math levels offered for Pre-Algebra, Algebra, Geometry and Jr. Math. These classes parallel the general math curriculum and cover similar topics with fewer, more in-depth math skills emphasized. Core classes 1-4 classes emphasis is on everyday situations related to number operations, percentages, decimals, single and multi-step problem solving for everyday situations. Three years of math instruction are required by state law for graduation. (ST# 02001A000, or 02051A000)

WORLD STUDIES (Grade 9-12) - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: An overview of world events from prehistoric to contemporary times with emphasis on reading comprehension, critical thinking and basic research. Thiscourse parallels the general World Studies class and is a 9th grade requirement. Students who enter without a World Studies class from another district will need to enroll at least one semester. Offered on a rotational basis. (ST# 04061A000)

AMERICAN HISTORY (Grade 9-12) - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course covers American History from 1865 to the present. Major themes are wars, world conflicts, organized labor, immigration, the Great Depression, civil rights, domestic problems during the 60s and 70s and current social and political issues. This is a one year required course for graduation. This course emphasizes reading and writing strategies plus research on related topics. Offered on a rotational basis. (ST# 04149A000)

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT (Grade 9-12) - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course examines our government and how it has evolved since the Constitution was written. Units of study include; The rights and responsibilities of citizens: the political process, how laws are made, enforced and examined, and campaigns and elections. Passing the Constitution test in this course is a requirement for graduation. Offered on a rotational basis. (ST# 04151A000)

PROBLEMS AND ISSUES (Grades 9-12) - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: An elective course emphasizing current events, national and international problems covered in newspapers, on TV, online, and in weekly news magazines. Students will become more informed about the world around them and will analyze the news through discussions, vocabulary work and projects. This course is intended to expand the student’s view of the country and the world. This is a reading and writing intensive course to prepare for the PSAE. Offered on a rotational basis. (ST# 04064A000)

HEARING IMPAIRED SOCIAL STUDIES - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: See Special Education Social Studies (above).

HEALTH (Grades 9-12) GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: Special Education Health is designed to enable the special education student to apply basic health concepts to practical situations. This course is required for graduation and promotes healthy living. (ST# 08051A000)

HEARING IMPAIRED HEALTH - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: See Special Education Health (above). (ST# 08051A000)

SCIENCE, BIOLOGY (Grades 9-12) GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: Students will learn about the themes of life science through “hands-on investigations, applied technology, classroom discussions and language based lessons. Topics of study include: the scientific process, organization and interaction of living systems, cells, genetics, change of life over time and science technology. Students will study various types of graphs in relation to the above topics. This year-long course is designed for first year science students that need the structure and academic support of a special education classroom. Offered on a rotational basis. (ST# 03062A000)

SCIENCE, PHYSICAL SCIENCE (Grades 9-12) - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: Students will learn the basics of physical science through “hands-on” investigations, the application of technology, classroom discussion and language based lessons. Topics of study include: the scientific process and inquiry, measurement, energy, Newton’s law, magnetism, gravity, basic chemistry, geology, meteorology, astronomy and careers in science. This year-long course is designed for second year science students that need the structure and academic support of a special education classroom. Two years of science are required by state law for graduation. Offered on a rotational basis. (ST# 03999A000)

HEARING IMPAIRED SCIENCE - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION:  See Special Education Science (previous page). (ST# 03999A000)

DIVERSIFIED OCCUPATIONS 1-2 - (Grades 9 & 10)- GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: This class is an in-school work preparation program designed to help students develop appropriate work skills. Skills include following multi-step directions, completing assignments within time constraints by developing work speed, working cooperatively, and sequencing tasks. An emphasis is placed on service projects such as recycling and preparing materials for elementary buildings. When a student has attained appropriate skills and junior or senior standing, he/she will be referred to community employment through the STEP work-study program. This class provides students pre- employment activities aligned to the IL Transition Planning Standards.(ST# 22152A000)

SECONDARY TRANSITIONAL EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM OR STEP 1 AND 2 (Grades 11 & 12)- GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: A two-year progressive program that assists students in exploring a career and developing skills and behaviors which are common to every job. These skills include but are not limited to: punctuality, attendance, cooperation, quality and quantity of work. In addition to daily classes, students are placed or find jobs in appropriate work experience positions. The goal of this program is to develop necessary skills to obtain competitive employment upon graduation. Transition activities help students develop realistic post high school goals and plans. *Students may be referred to the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) through STEP class. Students can earn 1/2 credit for classroom instruction and 1/2 credit or on-the-job training instruction each semester. The student will not receive credit for the OJT portion of this course unless they maintain a minimum number of hours, as determined by the vocational coordinator during the course, at a community training site or through part-time competitive employment. OJT grading for all students will be credit/no credit option. Students enrolled in a full year of S.T.E.P. 1 receive nine weeks of Consumer Education instruction to meet MHS and the State of Illinois Consumer Education requirements as described in the School Code Section 27.12.1 (ST# 22153A001)

STUDY SKILLS 1-4 (Grades 9-12) - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: An elective special education course designed to assist students who are enrolled in general education core classes. Course content includes the acquisition of skills and strategies needed to meet goals and objectives as well as learn general education course content. Individual goal setting, pre-teaching and re-teaching of general education curriculum, as well as backfilling of academic deficits occurs daily. Projects which include a daily focus on math, writing, reading are rotated throughout the week. Progress monitoring of academic or behavior goals and objectives is completed weekly or quarterly, along with transition planning, organizational strategies and supports, and completion of transition rubrics occurs as indicated in the student's IEP. (ST# 22003A000)

LIFE CHOICES 1-4 (Grades 9-12) GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: An elective course designed to increase student responsibility and maturity, to help prepare students for life after high school. Course will include community field trips, guest speakers and cooperative learning activities.(ST# 22253A000)

DECISION MANAGEMENT - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: Language and communication, math, science, and social studies curriculum focused on functional skills needed for day to day life. This includes verbal and writing skills, time and money skills, cooking skills, and community learning. (ST# 22251A000)

ADULT LIVING - (Grades 9-12) - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: A continuum of classes designed to provide the special needs student with the personal skills and independent living skills needed for successful community living and employment. These skills include personal behavior, home care, use of transportation, proper nutrition, home safety, hygiene, and interpersonal relationships. Community based field trips will be utilized to develop these skills. This class meets requirements of the IL Transition Planning standards. (ST# 22251A000)

HEARING IMPAIRED COMMUNICATION SKILLS - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: Focuses on study skills, social skills, pragmatic skills and total communication skills necessary for hearing impaired students to succeed in a hearing world. Recommendations are made by primary implementers and are based on grades, test scores, motivation and individual needs of each student. (ST# 22252A000)

ADAPTED PE - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course provides knowledge and experience in both team and individual activities tailored to meet the needs of individual students at the life skills level. (ST#08001A000)

PE - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course provides knowledge and experience in both team and individual activities tailored to meet the needs of individual students.(ST#08001A000)

OCCUPATIONS - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: This class is a preparatory work program designed to assist students enrolled in the life skills program. Students work to develop independent functioning skills as it relates to self-care, job development, and independent living skills needed for community living and employment. (ST#22251A000)

The Academic Support Room is available periods 1 through 7 for tutoring, assistance with general education assignments, and the reading of tests and quizzes.