New Orleans Guide to High School and Beyond 2018
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FACTORS TO CONSIDER<br />
WHEN CHOOSING A HIGH SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS<br />
Visit any school you are considering. Look at how the classroom<br />
is set up. Is it the right kind of environment for your child? How<br />
many children are in the classroom? How does the teacher<br />
h<strong>and</strong>le disruptions? Do the students seem engaged?<br />
Seek out parents whose children go <strong>to</strong> a school you are considering.<br />
Talk <strong>to</strong> them about their experience. Ask them if they think the school<br />
is a good fit for a student with your particular needs.<br />
Some questions <strong>to</strong> ask:<br />
1. Is the school accredited or licensed by the state? Check<br />
your state’s education department website <strong>to</strong> find<br />
accreditation information.<br />
2. What are the training requirements for the teachers?<br />
3. Does the school have an active professional<br />
development program for staff?<br />
• Is the Teaching Staff Using<br />
Technology in the Classroom?<br />
• Legal Protection?<br />
• Advocacy?<br />
• Individual Education Plan?<br />
4. What is a typical day in the classroom like — how is the<br />
day structured?<br />
5. What’s the learning environment in the classroom?<br />
6. How are behavioral issues h<strong>and</strong>led?<br />
7. Is the noise <strong>and</strong>/or activity level something that your<br />
child can h<strong>and</strong>le?<br />
8. Is the teaching staff using technology in the classroom?<br />
9. Do they use other adaptive <strong>to</strong>ols <strong>to</strong> help students?<br />
10. What are the outcomes? Ask for data on how the<br />
students fare — what percentage goes <strong>to</strong> college or is<br />
able <strong>to</strong> transition <strong>to</strong> a career.<br />
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