Instructional Programming
Curriculum
The educational program shall provide both formal studies to meet the general academic needs of all student and, to the extent possible, opportunities for individual children to develop specific talents and interests in more specialized fields.
The instructional program shall be developed with the view toward maintaining balanced, integrated, and sequentially articulated curricula, which will serve the educational needs of all students.
The instructional program shall include those courses required by law as well as that established by the administration following recommendation from the standing Instructional Programming committee. Curricula shall be provided sufficient latitude to provide the teachers with time to teach the current, topical, and incidental material, which add motivation and meaningful teaching and learning.
Individual Education Program (IEP)
The ND School for the Deaf/Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (NDSD/RCDHH) will follow the procedure for design and implementation of the Individual Education Plan (IEP) as outlined in the Guidelines: Individualized Education Program Planning Process published by the Department of Public Instruction in August, 1999.
Mainstreaming
NDSD/RCDHH students shall be mainstreamed according to provisions of their IEPs and considering, at least, the following factors: communication skills, including expressive and receptive language and ability to utilize an interpreter; appropriateness of indirect (via interpreter) communication with instructor(s); social needs and skills; academic progress and course electives.
Students shall be provided direct support services in the mainstream as specified in their IEP.
School Class Placement
The organization of the school shall be:
- Secondary: grades 9 - 12
- Middle: grades 5 - 8
- Elementary: ungraded
- Kindergarten: age 5
- Preschool: ages 3 - 4
Students within the preschool, kindergarten and elementary shall be grouped according to student need (academic, social and behavioral). Students shall be housed as determined most appropriate, considering age, numbers of residential students, and characteristics of dormitory facilities.
Students with secondary handicaps shall be educated and provided residential programming with their deaf peers to the maximum extent possible within the definition of appropriate educational programming as determined by each student's IEP.
Promotion
Students shall be promoted on the following basis:
- From preschool to kindergarten if 5 years old prior to midnight of August 31, except as provided by law.
- From kindergarten to elementary school if 6 years old prior to midnight of August 31, except as provided by law.
- From elementary to middle school as determined appropriate by the IEP team.
- From middle school to high school upon satisfactory (D or better) completion of all classes or as determined appropriate by the IEP team.
- From high school when students have earned the required number of credits for graduation (D or better) or have completed the educational program as defined in their IEP.
Student Awards Program
At the end of every 9-weeks and end of each school year, an Awards Day is held to recognize students for their efforts and achievements during the school year. Staff members are encouraged to submit awards and/or nominations for awards to the Director of Education. Areas of recognition include:
- Academic Achievement
- Perfect Attendance
- Art
- Physical Education
- Athletics
- Special Yearly Programs
- Work Experience
Graduation/Program Completion Requirements
NDSD/RCDHH school policy requires every student to complete the requirements set forth by state law to be eligible for graduation. Students must complete the following units during their four years in high school to receive a high school diploma:
|
Course |
Units Earned |
|---|---|
|
Language Arts |
6 |
|
Communication |
1 |
|
Social Studies |
5 |
|
Mathematics |
3 |
|
Science |
3 |
|
Physical Education/Health |
2 |
|
Electives |
5 |
|
TOTAL |
25 |
A student's IEP shall determine exceptions to these graduation requirements. Students with specially designed education programs not resulting in a high school diploma shall receive a certificate of completion upon completion of that program.
