Special Education

SPECIAL EDUCATION AT VAUGHN

Vaughn Next Century Learning Center offers an inclusive special-education program to prepare all of our students with unique needs for life after graduation, including college and career readiness. Students identified with a disability are provided with maximum opportunities to learn and are included in all general-education programs and activities, to the maximum extent possible.

Students receive differentiated instruction in the general-education classrooms through collaboration with special-education staff in order to access grade-level standards. Each Vaughn site has two or more resource specialist teachers (RSTs) and a team of paraeducators who co-plan, co-teach and co-assess with content specific teachers. General education staff are made aware of the individualized needs, accommodations and/or modifications of our students with special needs in order to provide needed supports throughout the school day. In addition, students that require more intensive academic supports are included in Resource Specialist Program (RSP) learning labs to focus on foundational skills.

Vaughn also provides Designated Instructional Services (DIS) or Related Services as identified and indicated on students’ Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), which can include services such as adapted physical education (APE), behavior intervention development (BID) and implementation (BII), DIS counseling (PUC), language and speech services (LAS), and occupational therapy (OT). DIS services are typically provided outside of the general education classroom through a pull-out model.

Testing Accommodations

SBAC, ELPAC, and CAST Accommodations

Testing accommodations for SmarterBalanced (SBAC), the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) and the California Science Test (CAST) are discussed and assigned during IEP meetings.

SBAC — grades 3-8 and 11
CAST — grades 5, 8 and high school (grades 10, 11 or 12)
ELPAC — grades K-12

ACT, PSAT, SAT and AP Accommodations

High scores on standardized exams such as ACT, SAT and AP can help boost a student's chances when applying to four-year colleges and universities. The organizations ACT and the College Board (PSAT, SAT, AP) each provide accommodations to students with disabilities, but they must be arranged several months in advance of the testing date.

ACT — www.actstudent.org (navigate to: Registration/Accommodations and Supports)

College Board —accommodations.collegeboard.org

Please note: Vaughn will aid students and parents with the application process, but it is ultimately the responsibility of the family to submit the request for accommodations prior to testing.