Students attending Las Vegas Schools who are need of special programs need not fear they will be ignored. In fact, every single student attending one of the many Las Vegas Schools can count on the fact that there is at least one, if not more, programs in place to serve their educational needs. These are magnet programs, special education, accelerated/honors programs, as well as other programs to support transitional bilingual students, and specialty learning experiences including “Safe and Drug Free Schools”, “School-to-Careers” and “Math and Science Enhancement”.
MAGNET PROGRAMS
Available to all students, Las Vegas Schools magnet programs are schools where students have many different choices in areas of study. Choices include aerospace and aviation, information technologies, performing and fine arts, communications, law prepatory programs, health services, travel and tourism, and engineering. Any student may apply to attend one of these magnet programs. Of course, they are not all offered at every grade level; but students who have decided on a career pathway that matches with these offerings can attend one of these schools confident in the knowledge that they will be preparing themselves for the future. Offering a choice in which of the Las Vegas Schools a student attends helps make the learning experience more valuable, and one that students and their families are more likely to stick with.
SPECIAL EDUCATION
There are many students attending Las Vegas Schools that are in need of special education programs. Services are provided for Las Vegas Schools students with
disabilities ages 3 to 21. School teams collaborate with families to offer quality learning experiences and prepare students with disabilities for life after school. Neighborhood schools are the focus for providing services, and a full range of options are available
to meet students’ needs. Disabilities can include students with learning disabilities such as dyslexia, those with mental, physical, and emotional handicaps. These kids cannot be ignored by the school system, and deserve the best Las Vegas Schools education they can possibly get.
ACCELERATED/HONORS PROGRAMS
Beginning in 3rd grade, students attending one of the elementary Las Vegas Schools can participate in a “Gifted and Talented Education Program” offered to students in grades
3-5, students can be submitted to enter the program through parent or teacher request. Las Vegas Schools students being considered for this program are typically evaluated with an IQ test, teacher and parent surveys, as well as a general knowledge test. They are then granted access to one of these Las Vegas Schools program based on how well they have done on these assessments. In addition, all secondary Las Vegas Schools offer an “Honors Program” that provides a highly rigorous curriculum. Students may also select from Advanced Placement courses or choose to earn an honors or an advanced diploma. Participation in these programs also improves the success of the school overall.
SPECIALTY LEARNING EXPERIENCES
Las Vegas Schools offer transitional bilingual and English as a second language programs, as well as numerous alternative education options for high school students. The district also uses outside resources to meet students’ needs through supplemental programs mentioned above.
By: Patricia Hawke
Posts Tagged ‘Learning Experience’
Special Programs Available in Las Vegas Schools
December 21st, 2009Misconceptions In Parenting And Teaching Special Needs Children
December 14th, 2009
Having a special need child in the family doesn’t mean you have to panic. Just like other kids, special needs children can learn to live a normal life and reach their full potential. Guidance, teaching and love are primary ingredients in rearing a special child and helping him reach full potential.
The “panicking” of parents upon learning about their child’s situation can be attributed to some common misconceptions in dealing with special needs children. These misconceptions lead to the thought that there is no bright future for special needs children. Unless these myths are fully understood and corrected, parents will never know that special needs children will still reach their full potentials. Here are the top 3 common special child misconceptions and the truth about them:
Parenting and teaching a special child will take away all your happiness and replace it with difficulties. This may be true to some persons who don’t love the child at all – but does this type of person exist? How can parents not love their own child no matter what his needs are? Parenting and teaching a special child is not a reason to be unhappy. It is all in the attitude! Rearing a child with special needs doesn’t take away your happiness. You may be unhappy but it’s your choice. You can choose to be happy and satisfied caring and teaching your special child. Rather than letting yourself be imprisoned by the situation, be in control. Plan exciting activities that will help you enjoy at the same time leave an effective learning experience to your child. Special needs children will never reach their full potential. This is another myth. Just like any other children, special needs children can reach their full potential. They can learn to speak, read, and interact with other people. They have the ability to live a happy, satisfied and complete life. But they won’t be able to achieve these on their own. They need guidance and proper teaching for them to be the best person that they could be. You should not be the judge of your child’s potential. Let him explore and learn. There are several education materials that cater to teaching special needs children reach their full potential. Nobody understands the difficulties of parenting and teaching special needs children. No two persons are the same. The individual difference theory is true but it doesn’t apply to situations. You may be facing the challenge of parenting or teaching differently abled children but you are not alone. Many other parents or teachers have been through the same situation. The only thing that differs is the way people handle special situations like this. There are even foundations and organizations that cater to helping parents and teachers cope up with the challenge of teaching and parenting children with special needs.
Parenting and teaching special needs children is an easy task if you know how to handle the situation. Don’t panic! Know what is true and what is not. Don’t judge a situation based on pure misconceptions. As long as you know what to do, parenting and teaching children with special needs will be a satisfying and fulfilling experience.
By: Monica Corral-lorica
Special Needs Children’s Education
November 17th, 2009
It’s almost as though homeschooling was invented for a special needs children’s education. Kids afflicted with ADHD, autism, dyslexia or Asperger’s among other learning difficulties can all benefit from being taught at home by their parents. Some public school systems can afford to hire trained therapists for these fields, but the extra attention and time afforded a student at home by a loved one can make a big difference in a child’s ability to learn. It’s just natural for a parent to be able to teach their own child more effectively. They’ve been doing it for the student’s whole life and know how to best approach new things with them. They will likely be more patient than a public school teacher and offer the extra time it might take to learn. A classroom would likely not be as able to offer the one-on-one time it might take until a student “gets it”.
It’s likely a parent would also know better than a public school instructor what manner of teaching would best suit their child. Some learn better with visual aids, some by repetition and some by seeing it done for them and copying what they’re taught. It’s very likely a parent would already know this from their own experience. They’ll also know what to look for when a special needs child is getting frustrated and ready to act up or quit, thereby avoiding a bad learning experience for the child.
If you’re wondering what sort of curriculum would best suit your special needs children’s education, there are several avenues to get started.
We would first look on the Internet. Non-profit groups who support your child’s disorder will likely have a presence there and should have good information about learning difficulties and how to overcome them. They will likely make suggestions or direct you to other good sources. They may even list case studies of various methods of learning and their success rates.
We would also try to find support groups on the Internet for your particular disease. There will likely be several forums on the Web where you can read others’ posts and ask questions directly. Parents on these websites are often very willing to share their experiences and will offer help when they can. Although your child is an individual, often there can be common practices that will help almost all children suffering from a common ailment.
There are also many books available about homeschooling your special needs children. Some are written specifically for particular disorders and offer teaching suggestions as well as curriculum selection guides. Most are written by people who have been homeschooling their own special needs children, so they speak with experience and write in every day language, rather than from theory with medical-babble-speak.
If you start with these suggestions, you should quickly be on the road to solving how to best get your special needs children educated. It can be as rewarding for you as it will be for your child since you will have contributed directly to his education and well-being.
By: A J Adams
