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Academic Interventions...
Students or parents
often contact a counselor for ideas about improving academic
performance. Meeting with a counselor for goal setting, progress
reports or conferences that include a teacher can improve grades and
a student's confidence. Our teachers often stay after school to
tutor and the student can request that individually. Occasionally,
additional interventions are recommended and a counselor may refer a
student for more help. Referrals for academic intervention can
result in one or more of the following outcomes:
After School Tutoring
The National Honor Society provides
peer tutoring upon request in the Guidance Office.
Professional Tutoring
In addition to the tutoring services that appear in commercial
telephone directories, our office has names of individuals willing
to tutor specific subjects.
Curriculum Adjustments
Philosophically, students are placed well when they work hard in a
class and succeed. Changing levels of courses or dropping academic
core subjects is a serious request and requires a great deal of
input. Placement issues must be discussed with the counselor and the
teacher(s) involved. A student's ability and performance in similar
coursework is considered. Changes in course level or core course
selection are made only when a student is judged to be placed
incorrectly.
Professional Evaluations
When other interventions have been attempted but not successful, a
professional evaluation of the student may be recommended.
McNicholas High School contracts with Cincinnati Public Schools for
school psychologist services. Mr. Matt Musselman has been assigned
to McNicholas since 2003-04 and is in the building three days per
week. Because his time is limited, referrals for testing
are made only when necessary and must go through the Guidance
Office.
Testing may also be
sought through the student's public school district or through the
family's private arrangements with a psychologist who administers
psycho-educational testing. Private testing has a wide range of
costs. Some insurance plans cover this type of testing. The
counselors have a list of psychologists who have assisted families
in the past.
Screening students
for Attention Deficit Disorder (AD/HD) is typically managed through
the student's pediatrician, although some surveys and screening
tools are available through the Guidance Office. AD/HD is considered
a medical diagnosis and as such cannot be determined by school
personnel.
If parents have
concerns about a student's academic progress or personal
development, they should contact a counselor for assistance.
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