High School Courses in Sped Database

The high school courses listed in the SpEd database have been updated to reflect the courses that are currently listed in PowerSchool.

As always, to enter courses in a student’s secondary transition plan you need to select a Course Category from one of the drop down lists at the left.  Once the category is chosen you can choose from a drop down list of available courses in that category (see images below).

For diploma-bound students, this section of the transition plan should lay out a minimum of 22 planned credits—the number of credits required to earn a high school diploma. The small box to the lower left of the courses will keep a running count for you as you enter courses and their corresponding credits into the grid.

Snapshot of course category dropdown list

Snapshot of course dropdown list

HSGQE Resource Guides

If you have students taking the HSGQE this spring that have an approved modification to use math and/or writing resource guides, please make sure that students are familiar with the resource guides before the test administration.  If you haven’t already, you should download the resource guides and begin working with students so that they have an opportunity to use these guides and become comfortable with them prior to April’s test administration.

The state-approved resource guides can be found online (see links below).

Only students with a State-approved modification can use these resource guides on the HSGQE re-test!

Links to Guides:

Math Resource Guide
Writing Resource Guide

Sample Exit Form for Graduating Seniors

For case managers with graduating seniors, an Exit Form including a “Summary of academic achievement and functional performance” and “Recommendations on assisting the student in meeting post-secondary goals” is required for any student who will be graduating with a regular diploma.  Attached are several examples.

This form can be completed on the database (Go To –> Program Exit Form).

A few examples of the types of statements that should be included on this form are listed below:

“Provide a summary of student’s academic achievement and functional performance, including recommendations on how to assist the student in meeting post-secondary goals.”


 EXAMPLE 1:
Summary of academic achievement and functional performance:

Student struggles with spelling, sentence syntax and organization of his assignments. On lengthy assignments, Student needs extra time to have an adult edit his work. Student’s learning disability in written expression limits his ability to complete lengthy written assignments in a timely manner. Student needs several opportunities for peer proofreading and revision of his written work.

Recommendations on assisting the student in meeting post-secondary goals:

Academic curriculum may need to be modified in content areas to accommodate writing levels. Such accommodations may include: shortened assignments, small group testing environment, clarification of directions on lengthy assignments, a word bank to be provided to Student on all fill in the blank tests, and the use of notes and/or book on tests or quizzes. Student would also benefit from his lengthy writing assignments being segmented into smaller chunks.

 

 EXAMPLE 2:

Summary of academic achievement and functional performance:

Student has met all of the requirements to earn a diploma from High School: he passed all portions of the High School Graduation Qualifying Exam; he earned the necessary credits; and he completed his senior service project. Student is very respectful. He has perseverance to work through difficult times in order to finally succeed. His ability to communicate clearly has improved. He has also become a better self-advocate.

Recommendations on assisting the student in meeting post-secondary goals:

Student works best in a small setting with minimal distractions. He works best when given clear guidelines and expectations. Student has difficulty communicating his thoughts in an organized manner, both when speaking and when writing. He is sometimes slow to build relationships with adults, but once he does he is able to open up and communicate in a more clear manner. Student responds really well to positive reinforcement and direct feedback.

 

 EXAMPLE 3:

Summary of academic achievement and functional performance:

Student needs extra time to process information. Once she grasps a concept, she does a good job of holding onto the information. Student needs additional support and time in the small class setting based on her needs in the area of reading comprehension, writing (grammar and vocabulary) and understanding math vocabulary. She has a relative strength in her receptive language, with significant delays in her expressive communication. Student works very hard to compensate for these deficiencies.

Recommendations on assisting the student in meeting post-secondary goals:

Academic curriculum may need to be modified. Such accommodations may include; additional time, directions clarified, use of scientific calculator to check daily work and tests, restate directions, use of visuals, use of vocabulary/concepts graphic organizers, written work edited before turning in, use of math resource guide for daily work and tests, clarification of tests questions