Learning Services

Posted by News Desk in Programs & Services on Dec 17th, 2009 | no responses

learningservicesAll staff members of the Avon Maitland District School Board are committed to ensuring all students experience success in school. To do so, a wide range of programs and services are provided for students with special education needs. These programs and services focus on the specific needs of students and create opportunities to develop their individual potential. They are developed in partnership with parents and guardians in an atmosphere of trust, cooperation and respect.

The Avon Maitland District School Board maintains a Special Education Plan. This plan is reviewed annually and amended when necessary to meet the needs of exceptional students.

It is available in every school, or on the Board website,

www.yourschools.ca, for parents, guardians and students to review.

Student Success Teams

Student Success Teams are in every secondary school. The team is made up of the principal (or vice-principal), Guidance, Special Education and Student Success Teachers. SS Teams develop credit rescue, credit recovery and transitional plans with students. They make sure that programs and activities are in place to help all students be successful.

Student Services

Guidance Counsellors are teachers with special training who provide assistance with choosing courses, postsecondary plans and personal crises. Parents and students are encouraged to make use of the Student Services department.

Student Success Teachers

There is a Student Success Teacher in every secondary school. Student Success Teachers help students who are having difficulty. They work hard to ensure that every student has a successful secondary school experience.

Summer School

Summer School courses may be available for students to:

  • retake a course not completed successfully
  • improve achievement in a course
  • take a transfer course

The number and delivery of summer school courses depends upon student need.

English as a Second Language

Secondary ESL students face challenges as they work toward their OSSD and become fluent in English. Teachers help ESL students in their classes by matching activities and content with the student’s needs. Students beginning to learn English may earn partial credits if they are not able to meet the learning expectations for a full credit. Tutoring may be available to help ESL students. In the Avon Maitland District School Board, ESL students are given the help they need to fulfill their goals.

Special Education Advisory Committee

The Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) examines, reviews and makes recommendations about the special education programs and services of the Avon Maitland District School Board. SEAC is composed of up to 12 community association representatives, trustees and the superintendent responsible for special education. For more information, contact the school principal.

Identification, Placement & Review Committee

Students with identified obstacles to learning will meet annually with parents, teachers and their school principal to decide placement and level of support within a range of Special Education services. Students who are a part of the Identification, Placement and Review Committee process will also have an IEP.

What’s An IEP?

Individual Education Plans are created to help students be successful through the use of accommodations and/or modifications in specific courses. At the secondary level, alternative courses are non-credit courses.

Alternative Programs

In these courses, learning expectations are individualized for students and generally focus on preparing students for daily living. There are three types of alternative programs:

1. Developmental Disability

Students participate in a program designed to fit the unique needs of each learner. This program focuses on life skills, literacy and numeracy skills, community integration and work skills. These are non-credit courses.

2. Undifferentiated

This program focuses on providing students with skills necessary for success in school and everyday life. Students may earn up to three credits per year. The remainder of the program will consist of non-credit courses.

3. Destinations

This program is intended for students working toward a Certificate of Accomplishment. The focus is on learning literacy and numeracy, employment and life skills.

* Talk to the principal to find out what alternative programs are available in your secondary school.

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