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Learning Disabilities Tutoring Program...
McNicholas High School is
proud to offer this program to address the needs of a segment of our present and
future populations. The program helps students cope with learning in the high
school environment. Each student learns differently and there are those
students who have such a unique way of learning that they need special
assistance. This assistance helps these students to stay on track so that their
efforts will more clearly reflect their ability.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
In order for a
student to be admitted to the Learning Disabilities Program, there is an
application process and the student must meet the following criteria:
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The student must be evaluated by a
psychologist for a discrepancy between aptitude and achievement, with
the learning problem identified if possible. This evaluation must have
been completed within the last three years.
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As a part of the above evaluation the
student must demonstrate a full range aptitude of at least a 90 I.Q.
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The student must be recommended for
admission to the program, by either his/her previous school or by the
psychologist who tested the student.
An interdisciplinary
team of McNicholas counselors, administrators, and LD specialists will
evaluate the student’s records. It will be determined if the optimum
learning environment for the student is within our fully mainstreamed
curriculum with tutorial support.
TUTORIAL TIME AND COSTS
The tutorial program
size is limited.
Class size will not
exceed 3 students per bell. Each student will meet the tutor for
five periods per week for thirty-six weeks for a total of 180 periods or 150
hours. Currently, the added cost for the LD Tutorial Program is $1800.
(Subject to change.)
ROLE OF THE TUTOR
The LD tutor is to be
the case manager for each student and the liaison to the rest of the
professional staff. The tutor is the student’s advocate and is to work
toward acceptance of varied testing procedures, maintain a professional
empathy with the student, uphold the level of the classroom teachers’
expectations, and improve the organizational and coping skills of each
student.
The
tutor will organize at least one inservice for all teachers and staff per
school year. This inservice is intended to instruct teachers about
learning disabilities and give them new classroom strategies. The tutor
will be in weekly contact with the classroom teachers and parents.
ROLE OF THE PARENTS
Parents should be
realistic in the expectations for their child, understanding that their
student’s learning style is special and do all they can to help the student cope
in the high school setting. Parents are asked to stay in constant contact with
the tutor and their student’s classroom teachers.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Mc Nicholas has very
stringent graduation requirements as outlined in the Course Directory. These
requirements will be reduced by one for each full year that a student is
involved in the LD program. Students graduating from a high school in the State
of Ohio must have a minimum of 21 credits. The reduction in graduation
requirements will not affect the specified departmental requirements but will be
taken from electives.
DEPARTMENT GOALS
The tutorial program
will:
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Encourage
communication between teachers, parents, and students
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Better enable
students to assume responsibility for their own learning
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Teach study skills so that students will
successfully
navigate course material presented in mainstream classes.
FACULTY
Mrs.
Gabrielle Wadell
Education: M.Ed., Xavier University
Major: Learning Disabilities and Behavioral Disorders K-12
Elementary Education 1-8
Experience: 12 years
Voice Mail: 231-3500 ext. 5643
E-Mail:
gwadell@mcnhs.org
Mrs. Renee
Herndon
Education: M.Ed., George Mason University (Learning Disabilities)
BA Virginia Tech
(Elementary Ed.)
Experience: 9 years of teaching and 8 years of a private tutor prior to
McNick
Began at McNicholas in 2005.
Voice Mail: 231-3500
ext. 5624
E-Mail:
rherndon@mcnhs.org
STUDENT CONTRACT
FOR MEMBERSHIP IN THE TUTORIAL PROGRAM
Students in the
Tutorial Program are expected to abide by the following principles.
1.
Be respectful of
others at all times.
This includes using
manners, studying, and not monopolizing Tutorial time so that others may
concentrate. You are expected to cooperate with your tutor and others in
your Tutorial Period.
2.
Uphold the integrity
of the Tutorial Program.
This includes being
honest with your teachers, being accountable for your actions when walking
to and from Tutorial, being prepared for tests and classes, being honest
about your abilities and actions, not cheating or misusing your
privileges. REMEMBER - your actions should help you as well as the other
Tutorial students. If you do not uphold the integrity of the Program you
will be risking the services you are receiving, both for yourself and for
others!
3.
Protect the
reputation of the Tutorial Program.
Classroom teachers
and Tutorial teachers go out of their way to ensure your success.
Tutorial students generally receive a larger share of attention and time
from their teachers. Tutorial teachers advocate for you to ensure that
you get your accommodations. The willingness of others to help you is
directly related to how much you give back to them. We expect that you
will act appropriately in the classroom, respect the McNicholas community,
and protect the name of the program, the students, and the teachers within
the program. Your actions reflect on us all. Students who have a
reputation of substance abuse, defiant behavior, absenteeism, poor
classroom attention and/or a lack of homework completion endanger the
support of our program.
4.
Study and prepare
for class.
If you are not
preparing for class, reading at night, reviewing notes, studying for
tests, and completing written assignments, your Tutorial teacher cannot
help you to the fullest. The tutor must spend time going over things that
are really your responsibility and then often cannot get to the lessons
planned. In addition, this often wastes other students’ time, and they
cannot get the help they need. Time in Tutorial is expected to be used
constructively.
5. Use
your time wisely.
Extended time on
tests does not mean unlimited time. If you are prepared and if you use
your time wisely most of you should be able to finish tests in two class
periods. Those who do not use their time wisely, make it difficult for
themselves and others. It also risks the understanding of accommodations
by classroom teachers. Your tutor will help you manage your time wisely.
6. Be
honest with your abilities. Work to overcome obstacles.
This includes being
open to the suggestions your tutors give you, for example, new study
methods and being honest about what you know and understand versus what
you are prepared for. This also includes speaking up for yourself when
appropriate, complying with taking medication if it has been prescribed
for you, and believing you are a capable student. Success is as possible
as you want it to be!
7. Progress
Reports
These are to be
signed and returned on Monday or a referral will be issued. We, as well
as your classroom teachers, are working to help you gain success. These
reports should give you a better idea of what is happening in each of your
classes week to week. Please review these with your parents.
∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
I accept these
responsibilities as a condition of my enrollment in the LD Tutorial
Program. I understand that a consistent failure to uphold these
responsibilities will jeopardize my position with the program.
Student
______________________
Parent ______________________
Teacher
______________________
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