Special Education Programs at Vaughan Secondary School

Program for Developmentally Disabled Students

This is a self-contained program for developmentally disabled pupils who are taught functional skills, and an individualized curriculum which will support their needs. These skills are grouped into the following areas:

• Communication
• Social/Adaptive Behavior
• Community/Leisure
• Vocational and Applied Academics
• Self-Help
• Domestic
• Motor

Program goals are achieved by appropriate integration at the social, community and academic level (including work experience). Individual Education Plans are created for each pupil through co-operative team planning.

A close working relationship with parents or guardians, support staff, consultants and community agencies is fostered to maximize the development and transfer of skills to all situations.

Mild Intellectual Disability Intensive Program

The Intensive Program is accessed through the I.P.R.C. process. It is an extensive modification of curriculum to meet the needs of students who according to provincial standards are functioning between the grade one to early grade four levels. The program is designed to develop individual academic and social skills for everyday life, and to prepare for the World of Work. The above is accomplished by:
• providing an opportunity for students to improve their literacy and numeracy skills,
• Giving students an opportunity to focus on work experience and community integration skills
• Earning a Certificate of Accomplishment upon the completion of their grade twelve-year.

Students focus on reading, writing, and math skills to develop essential skills for everyday living while completing courses specific to this program. A smaller class environment is provided to permit more individualized instruction. A Learning Strategies and Personal Life Management course have been added to develop skills and strategies needed for successful participation in all subject areas and the transition to the World of Work.

An opportunity to participate in Open courses with support is a goal for establishing self-esteem and self worth. In addition, students receive support to prepare for vocational college programs or to attend the Store Front Program.

Core Courses:	Elective Courses:
• English/Learning Strategies • Mathematics • Geography • Introduction to Information Technology • History • Science	• Visual Arts • Drama • Physical Education • Design and Technology • Food and Nutrition

Language Development Program

This self-contained program is designed to meet the needs of students who have been identified as having a severe learning disability or language impairment. Students must have recent academic, psychological and language assessments that show they are working at the grade six level or higher and be placed through the I.P.R.C. process.

This program is available for grade nine and ten pupils who spend at least fifty percent of the day receiving language support. Students learn the Applied curriculum in a smaller group setting with the focus of developing language skills (reading, writing, speaking, and listening strategies) which can be applied to all subjects.

In grade nine, the core program is • English, Math, Science, Geography

In grade ten, the core program is • English, Math, Science, History

Pupils are academically integrated for the remainder of their program, with appropriate support from the Special Education Resource Teacher (S.E.R.T). At the end of the intermediate level, students will then proceed into college level courses, taught in regular class sizes and with non-special education teachers.