SCHOOLS
- Notice of Procedural Safeguards Formerly known as the "Parent's Rights Brochure", this interim notice is designed to be used until final federal regulations for IDEA-2004 are in effect. download
- ADA Protective Regulations
Middle School Program
Resource Room Classrooms
Students who require specialized learning techniques, individualized instruction, and small class placement attend one pullout math and one pullout language arts class each day. The instruction parallels the standard curriculum, which is aligned with the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. Students attend regular education social studies and science class with support from an assistant teacher on an as needed basis. Each student participates in a support class three times a cycle to provide reinforcement of the curriculum expectations and to increase skills in the subject.
Inclusion Classrooms
The inclusion classroom consists of a certified special educator who rotates through the student's schedule in order to ensure that the student on an IEP understands the curriculum and is meeting his/her responsibilities. Individual and small group assistance is provided within the standard curriculum classroom. In addition, the student has a daily support class with their special educator on their team. The special educator provides consultation to standard curriculum teachers regarding student's learning style and educational needs. The special educator and teacher assistant ensure that accommodations are being implemented in the standard curriculum classroom.
Substantially Separate Classrooms
Learning and Language Disabilities (LLD): This program is geared for students with low average to high average intelligence with significant reading, writing, math, and communication disabilities. Students participate in a curriculum that mirrors the standard curriculum, but at a slower pace. The curriculum is modified to meet the significant academic needs of the students. Certified special educators and an assistant teacher provide small group instructions in all academic areas- math, language arts, science, and social studies. Inclusion into standard curriculum classes is available when the TEAM determines a student is ready. Students attend related art classes- art, technology education, physical education, health, and chorus outside their classroom.
Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities (ED/BD): This comprehensive and therapeutic program is for students who have emotional and behavioral disabilities. A certified special educator and an assistant teacher provide small group meeting which address: anger management, conflict resolution, relaxation techniques, social skills, group process, peer pressure, bullying, strategies for managing behavior and self-advocacy. The program is supported by a comprehensive, incentive-based behavioral system. The program staff works directly with the student's families and coordinates treatment efforts with providers outside of the school. A Behavior Specialist and a Social Worker also support the program full time. Instruction in academic subjects is provided in a small supportive environment. Students attend art, music, physical education, technology education, and health with their peers and the assistant teacher. Some students may take standard education classes and are supported by the staff to manage those responsibilities and demands.
Intellectual Impairments (II): This program serves students who have significant intellectual and learning challenges. Some students in the program have significant weaknesses in the areas of social skills activities of daily living. The program focuses on functional life skills and knowledge about community, in order to function as independently as possible. Other students in the program have excellent social skills and benefit from a more traditional academic curriculum, with the academic curriculum provided in a slower rate. This program has the capacity to work with both types of students, as we offer both a functional life skills curriculum and a curriculum, which mirrors the standard curriculum.
Students are grouped into multi-grade classes according to ability levels. There is a three-year curriculum sequence. Students receive academic instruction in language arts, reading, math, science, and social studies. Students also take an academic support class for review and reinforcement of academic content. Students receive all academic instruction from certified special educators. Students take different subjects with different special education teachers, so they have the middle school experience of moving from class to class.
Students who are in the functional life skills group participate in a vocational program. Performing various jobs around the building (e.g., delivering newspapers, emptying recycling bins) helps them to develop greater independence and provides opportunity for hands on, practical learning. Students in this program run a café that is open every other Friday.
Related Services
All required related services are available to students as agreed to within their Individualized Educational Programs within their assigned schools. Related services include but are not limited to speech/language services, occupational therapy, adapted physical education, physical therapy, and vision. Dependent upon the set educational goal(s), services may be provided through an in-class and/or pullout model. For a description of the related services provided by the Framingham Public Schools please see page 7.
Bilingual Special Education Services
Bilingual special education services are provided to students who need both special education services and intensive instruction for English Language Learners. Students have access to related services such as speech-language services. The bilingual special educator is fluent in Spanish or Portuguese and can provide native language support to students whose first language is Spanish or Portuguese. The bilingual special educator teaches special education classes in core curriculum subjects and provides consultation to other teachers regarding the student's educational needs. Bilingual speech/language therapists are available to provide native language support to students whose first language is Spanish or Portuguese.