SENIOR SCHOOL STUDENT - PARENT HANDBOOK

SUPPORT SERVICES
1. ENGLISH AS AN ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE (EAL)
The English as an Additional Language (EAL) program is designed to meet
the needs of those students whose command of English is insufficient at the
time of enrollment for full participation in the mainstream academic program.
It is a content-based program, and follows as closely as possible the material
and themes of the mainstream classes.
Students for whom English is not a first language are tested at the time of
admission for placement in one of the grade-based proficiency levels. While
enrolled in the EAL program, students are also scheduled into various
mainstream classes; mathematics, science, physical education, music, art,
native language, and German.
When the EAL department determines that a student is ready (s)he is
transferred to mainstream classes.
2. LEARNING SUPPORT DEPARTMENT
Full-time learning specialists are available to assist students who have
diagnosed, mild learning disabilities. Students with severe behavioral,
emotional or learning disabilities are not accepted because there is no selfcontained
program available to meet their needs.
Students who are identified by their teachers as experiencing problems during
their time at ISD will be taken through the referral procedure.
An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is developed for each student
receiving learning support by withdrawal from some classes. The IEP
contains learning goals, broken down into learning outcomes, and states the
achievement criteria which will be used in assessing these outcomes.
Progress will be monitored carefully and an end of year review will take place
to review progress and to determine the support needed for the following
year.
If not requested at the time of referral, an external assessment by an
educational psychologist will be required after a student has received
additional support for 1 year. No accommodations are granted for exams
without the assessment documentation
It is possible for a student diagnosed with a recognized learning disability e.g.
dyslexia, ADHD, etc. to receive exam concessions such as additional time or
the services of a reader
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