Taunton High School provides Special Education as mandated by Chapter 766 and Public Law 94-142.  An interdisciplinary program is set up for each student providing supportive services as prescribed by the educational plan.  Students are integrated into the regular school program, when possible, enabling and encouraging a student to learn through the strong modalities he has in common with his peers while providing extra support services to meet his special needs.

English Special                                                               5 Credits

 It is our belief that through communications the student comes to understand life around him and is able to associate with and be accepted by his peers and adults.  This is accomplished by stressing the basics of our language through drill, discussions, and reading.  The ultimate goal of these courses is the practical application of acquired abilities.

Mathematics Special                                                      5 Credits

The main purpose of the special mathematics program is to develop the necessary practical application of the mechanics of arithmetic in problem solving.  It must be emphasized that each student will continually receive remedial help and will progress at his own rate. 

Occupational Information (ALERT Program)                5 Credits

The main purpose of an occupational information course is to develop habits, attitudes and skills that will aid students in choosing, obtaining and holding jobs.  Many students do not think of jobs until the completion of high school and, therefore, leave without adequate knowledge of the jobs that they are capable of doing, methods of getting a job, or acquiring skills and attitudes that will help them keep the job.

Social Studies Special (ALERT & ALTER Programs)  5 Credits

Through a step by step process, students develop a practical knowledge of the country in which they live.  This is expanded to a knowledge of other countries and the development of various cultures.  The ultimate goal is for the student to develop an appreciation of the United States and the democratic way of life.

Science Special (ALERT & ALTER Programs)             5 Credits

The study of General Science is to broaden the general scientific background of the student within their scope of understanding and capability.  Each of the units deals with a particular area of inquiry and solves a particular problem.  Each of the sections is followed by short questions that pertain specifically to the materials covered in the section. 

Adaptive Physical Education (ALERT Program)                                                     

Adaptive physical education provides a special focus on a student’s physical education needs and provides a carefully planned sequence of adapted learning experiences that allows all children to participate in regular physical education programs. 

ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS PROGRAMS

Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) courses are designed for English Language Learners (ELL), also called Limited English Proficient (LEP) students. A LEP student is defined as a student whose first language is a language other than English who is unable to perform ordinary classroom work in English.  In sheltered English immersion classrooms, instruction and curriculum are designed to permit active engagement by LEP students throughout the school day.  Lesson plans include

• Language objectives based on the Massachusetts English language arts standards and the Massachusetts English language proficiency benchmarks and outcomes.

• Content objectives based on standards from the Massachusetts curriculum frameworks in English language arts, history and social science, mathematics, and science and technology/engineering.

English Language Learners                                             5 Credits

912 III English Language Learners I             932  English Language Learners            

922 IV English Language Learners II            942 English Language Learners                          

These courses are designed for the non-English speaking student who enters the ELL program at the secondary level.  The objective is to provide non-English speaking students with the opportunity to learn and to use English in the four basic skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Students expand their knowledge of vocabulary and correct English usage. The continued development of language is achieved through reading, writing, and discussion of English literature in various forms such as novels, short stories, poetry and periodicals. Students read and discuss English literature and periodicals.

9018    SEI Composition                                                       5 Credits

This course is designed for limited English proficient students who need to strengthen their skills in grammar, mechanics and the process of writing effectively.  Techniques of grammar will be reinforced and emphasized as a strategy for better writing.  Students focus on the pre-writing, writing, and revising stages of the writing process.  Students study techniques of persuasive, informative, descriptive, narrative and creative writing in addition to writing about literature.  Students use the computer to aid and assist throughout the writing process.  Sheltered English Immersion methodology is utilized to help students develop proficiency skills in English as their second language.

9117    Math Connections                                                     5 Credits

This course is intended for limited English proficient students who need to strengthen their skills in the following areas of mathematics: number and number systems; estimation and computation; patterns, relations and functions; geometry and measurement; and probability and statistics.  The course is centered around the math curriculum frameworks as defined by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  All instruction is based on and follows Sheltered English Immersion techniques.