Holyoke Public Schools Special Education Programs 2014-15
Located within each school, the Inclusion and Related Services Only programs are
specialized, inclusive, moderate needs special education programs. Students in the Inclusion
program may have one or more disabilities that significantly impact their ability to make effective
progress within the general curriculum without provision of specialized instruction. Students in
the RSO Program may have one or more disabilities that significantly impact their ability to
access the general curriculum without provision of related services. Programs focus on the
development of academic and access skills through provision of modified curriculum, teaching
methodology/delivery of instruction and performance criteria.
Located at E.N. White School, the Language Learning Disability (LLD) program is a highly
specialized, inclusive special education program for students identified as having a language
learning disability (see above definition). The program focuses on the development of academic
and language skills and offers specialized multi-sensory programs geared towards individual
student needs and learning styles.
Located within each school, the Intensive Learning Center (ILC) program is a specialized,
partial inclusion, moderate needs special education program. Students in the ILC program may
have one or more disabilities that significantly impact learning. The program focuses on the
development of academic skills through provision of significantly modified curriculum, teaching
methodology/delivery of instruction and performance criteria.
Located at Peck, and Holyoke High School, the Functional Academics Program is a
specialized, substantially separate, moderate needs special education program. Students in the
Functional Academics program are typically identified as having a primary intellectual
impairment (see definition at end). The program focuses on the development of academic and
daily living skills through provision of significantly modified curriculum, teaching
methodology/delivery of instruction and performance criteria. Most students also receive
services through a speech/language pathologist, occupational therapist or physical therapist.
Located within Lawrence, Peck, Holyoke High School and Dean Vocational High Schools, the
Therapeutic Intervention Program (TIP) is a specialized, moderate needs special education
program. Students in the TIP program may have a primary Emotional disability that significantly
impacts their ability to manage their social, emotional, and/or behavioral functioning. Students
cannot access the general curriculum, or specialized curriculum without provision of therapeutic
and supportive services. The primary focus of the TIP program is the development of social,
emotional, and/or behavioral functioning through provision of therapeutic and supportive
services that enable the student’s independent self-management skills.
The Supported Inclusion Program (SIP) is designed to meet the individual needs of students
in kindergarten through 8th grade who qualify for special education services under a mild to
moderate primary diagnosis of autism and autism spectrum disorder. These students typically
have low-average to average cognitive ability.
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For students in K-8, SIP services (autism consultation, social and behavioral support,
and paraprofessional support) can be provided either in the student’s zone school (SIP on the
Move) or within SIP designated classrooms. When a student is newly diagnosed, SIP services
are typically initiated at the zone school so as to minimize disruption for the student, and in
many cases these services provide the extra amount of support needed for the student to be
successful in the classroom. The decision to keep a student in his/her zone school is made by
the team, and determining factors include: current functioning of student in classroom,
availability of social skills intervention, if needed, and level of paraprofessional support needed.
If a greater level of support is deemed necessary by the team, a transition to a SIP designated
classroom may be initiated. Support for students in grades 9-12 is integrated into the high
school (Holyoke High or Dean Technical High) environment, and include consult from an autism
specialist, behavioral support, and social skills support as needed.
The Metcalf Autism Program (MAP) program offers services for preschool students (ages 3-5)
with an autism diagnosis. The program is overseen and supervised by a Board Certified
Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Services are individualized based on the needs of the particular
student, and may take place in a number of different environments, depending on the level of
need.
The Autism Reaching Individual Student Efficacy (Autism RISE) program is designed to
meet the individual needs of students that qualify for special education services under a primary
diagnosis of autism or autism spectrum disorder in grades Kindergarten to 8. These students
have intellectual and behavioral difficulties compounded by limited adaptive social skills, which
prevent them from accessing the curriculum and participating in the general education
classroom. Autism RISE programs are substantially separate programs that follow DESE
(Department of Elementary and Secondary Education) guidelines for student/staff ratios.
Located at Donahue, Sullivan, and Holyoke High School, the Reaching Individual Student
Efficacy (RISE) Program is a highly specialized, substantially separate, severe needs special
education program. Students in the RISE program may have one or more disabilities which
result in a need for multiple specialized services which do not include medical support. The
program provides significantly modified curriculum, teaching methodology/delivery of instruction,
and performance criteria to students requiring academic and adaptive skills development. A
primary focus of this program is development of knowledge and skills that support independent
access to, and functioning across, settings. Most students also receive related services from a
Speech/Language Pathologist, Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, Assistive
Technology and/or Adaptive Physical Education Teacher.
Located at Peck, Lawrence, and Holyoke High School, the Students with Health Impairments
& Needs of Exception (SHINE) Program (SHINE) Program is a highly specialized,
substantially separate, severe needs, special education program. Students in the SHINE
program may have one or more disabilities which result in a need for multiple specialized
services including medical support, and require a significant degree of program coordination
and service. Most students are in need of physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech
therapy, vision therapy, assistive augmentative communication services, and/or music/art
therapy on a daily to weekly basis to ensure they do not regress or demonstrate a loss in
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physical ability. Further, students in the SHINE program generally require nursing and medical
support due to health issues including, but not limited to: G/J tubes, legal blindness, inability to
independently ambulate, loss of speech abilities, brain damage, tracheotomies/respiratory
issues, seizure disorders and other various medical disorders. As such, SHINE students
require moderate to maximum assistance for any and all personal care, feeding, academic work
and communication. Many use voice-output devices for communication purposes and activation
switches to operate various toys and appliances.
Program activities are designed to access a wide variety of sensory responses through
auditory, visual, tactile, proprioceptive, vestibular, and olfactory stimulation. The program
intention is to enhance the development of fine and gross motor skills, encourage students to
communicate at their own level, and to offer opportunities for socializing with staff and peers.
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