OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
Students tracked by the Academic Resource Dept. have
access to assistive technology based on specific needs.
Organizational and editing supports for writing are offered
through computer technology. Students with receptive
language difficulties have access to Kurzweil, a program
that reads to students and allows them to manipulate text
to answer questions on text. Students with expressive
language difficulties utilize Dragon Naturally Speaking
which allows students to dictate their responses and have
the computer write for them.
ST. JOSEPH SECONDARY
SCHOOL
ACADEMIC
RESOURCE
DEPARTMENT
CAREER CONNECTIONS
Supports offered through our Dept. do not end once the
student leaves St. Joe’s. The following is a list of some of
the post secondary institutions that have academic resource departments and what they are called. For a more
complete list contact the Academic Resource Dept. Head.
University of Guelph: Centre for Students with Disabilities
http://www.uoguelph.ca/csd/
University of Toronto @ Mississauga: Access Ability Resource Centre http://www.erin.utoronto.ca/~w3access/
York University: Office for Persons with Disabilities
http://www.yorku.ca/opd/default.htm
George Brown College: Disability Services
http://
www.georgebrown.ca/saffairs/disabilities/disabilities.aspx
Sheridan Institute of Advanced Learning and Technology:
Disability Services Office http://www1.sheridaninstitute.ca/
Please visit our website for more information.
http://www.dpcdsb.org/JOESS
INTRODUCTION
The Academic Resource Dept. services all students who require
extra support with academics. Many students have an individual
education plan (IEP) that outlines ways to support them. Some
are continuing support they have received in elementary school
through Special Education Resource Teachers (SERT) while
others are formally identified through the Identification, Placement and Review Committee (IPRC) process. Each student is
assigned to a SERT who monitors the students as well as
provides support through the resource room. Support for tests,
assignments, use of assistive technology and ensuring time
management and appropriate organizational skills are some of
the ways students are serviced.
Planning for Indpendence Program (PIP)
The Planning for Independence Program is designed for those
students who require alternative programming for functional
academics and life skills. Students are referred ’d into the program through an IPRC process.
PROGRAMS
While the majority of student support is offered through the resource room there are some specially developed courses which
focus on learning strategies. Grade 9 Learning Strategies is offered to both non-identified exceptional (GLS1O) and identified
exceptional (GLE1O) students, while grades 10 and 11 are only
offered to identified students (GLE2O, GLE3O). In grade 12
both non-identified (GLS4O) and identified students (GLE4O)
can take the course. The goal of all the courses is to help students become better, self-aware and independent learners
through improving literacy skills, personal management skills
and using their strengths to address areas that need improvement. Grade 9 and 10 courses focus on building confidence and
motivation while Grade 11 and 12 courses prepare for successful transitions to work, training and/or post secondary education.
JAG SUCCESS PROGRAM
The Academic Resource Dept. also offers a
specialized program, “Jag Success Program”,
that helps those students who would find the
transition to high school a difficult one. Students take Locally Developed English, Math,
Science and the Guidance and Learning
Strategies course for exceptional learners for
the full year to ensure consolidation of concepts. Students are recommended for this
program through their Grade 8 IPRC.