When a student is found eligible for special education services, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) is developed with the participation of the school staff, the parents/guardians, and the student (when appropriate). An IEP is a statement of the special education and related services that will be provided to the student, which is updated at least annually throughout a student’s eligibility for special education. The IEP guides the specialized services and extra support the student will receive as part of the Tier 1, core classroom instruction.
To serve our English Learners, EL teachers and core-content teachers work together to ensure that English language development is integrated into instruction across all content areas and subjects. That happens within the core classroom for all students who are English Learners.
Both EL teachers and core-content teachers plan lessons that meet the Virginia Standards of Learning, as well as WIDA English Language Development Standards. WIDA stands for World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment. APS used WIDA tools and resources to support language development and provide quality instruction for multilingual learners.
Advanced students or students identified as gifted receive the following services:
- The classroom teacher works with the resource teacher for the gifted to develop and present appropriately differentiated learning experiences for gifted students within the general education classroom
- In the general education classroom setting with identified students grouped (minimum of 10) and through other small group activities developed to extend learning, based on ongoing data
- With teachers who are specifically trained in instructional needs of and curriculum written for gifted students
- Through curricula which are differentiated or extended from concepts in the general education curriculum, and when appropriate, through opportunities for acceleration and extension