Alternative Programs

Language Alternative Program

Students in the Language Alternative Program are functioning academically two to four years below grade level. They have primary difficulties with language skills, especially reading, comprehension, and writing. Most of the students have problems with receptive and expressive language, demonstrated by limited vocabulary knowledge and below average communication skills. Some receive speech and language therapy services.

Students in the Language Alternative Program often have social/emotional needs and goals which result from their language issues. Some may miss cues for social communication and are challenged by expressing themselves within their peer group. Some struggle with low self-esteem as they work to understand their learning needs and develop coping strategies for academic and social success. We use a supportive, cognitive behavioral approach to help students work toward goals in these socio-emotional areas.

Language Alternative Program students are usually mainstreamed into homerooms, science, social studies, combined arts, wellness, and sometimes math and English. Students sometimes take either science or social studies so that they can more capably manage the academic load. The program staff provides support in the regular classroom when necessary. This may take the form of pre- teaching or reinforcing classroom lessons, modifying class work or tests as appropriate, or serving as an assistant within the regular education classroom to help refocus the student, clarify directions, or help with work completion. Study periods, called Organization Skills, are used to work on homework for students' mainstream classes.

We generally teach reading comprehension and/or writing skills, as well as math, in small groups in the Language Alternative Program, using topics and themes similar to the grade level curriculum when possible. We adapt reading and writing assignments to meet the individualized goals for each student. We read paperbacks, poems, magazine articles, and plays and complete corresponding comprehension skill work. Word processing on the computer is used for writing assignments whenever possible. The Language Alternative Program is flexible, and some students have taken more classes than others. The team decides this on an individual basis.