PATHS
Alternative Elementary Classrooms
What is PATHS?
PATHS (Positive Alternatives) is a program designed to meet the needs of underachieving students in
grades 3, 4, and 5, who struggle both academically and behaviorally in the typical classroom setting.
PATHS classrooms will open at Banks Road (track 4), Root, Weatherstone, and Wendell Elementary
schools in the 2011-2012 school year. PATHS classrooms have low student to teacher ratios of 10:1, to
provide intensive focus in academic areas of need. Social skills development and school survival skills are
integral to the success of PATHS students and will be the focus of a part-time Counselor assigned to each
classroom. The classrooms will use a point and level system and maintain a high level of structure
throughout the school day. PATHS classrooms are NOT a SED or Bridges setting.
Who would be a candidate for PATHS?
Academically, ideal PATHS candidates are students who are not working to their academic potential but
are capable of mastery, show inconsistent performance in most academic areas, show some evidence of
conceptual understanding, constantly require teacher guidance, redirection, and support; and/or may
be at risk for retention and have a history of low performance.
Socially and behaviorally, PATHS candidates may have poor and/or inconsistent social skills, try to gain
attention inappropriately, have trouble making and keeping friends, are disorganized or forgetful, are
easily distracted or off-task, require support from their school counselor, and frequent validation or
feedback.
PATHS candidates may also have a variety of external risk factors, acutely unstable home environment,
disengaged or non-responsive parents, and/or outside agency involvement.
Who can refer a student to PATHS? What is the process?
We anticipate that the majority of PATHS referrals will come from principals, assistant principals,
counselors, social workers, and teachers. The referring school should complete the Application packet
and send the packet and all required documentation to PATHS c/o Bridges. Applications for admission
will be reviewed on an alternate week rotation at the PATHS site of potential attendance. A
PATHS representative will contact the referring school to schedule a review session. If the
student is accepted, a PATHS representative will schedule a student/parent orientation date
and notify the referring school. The referring school will arrange for the student and parent to
attend the orientation session. Parent attendance at this orientation session is required to
enroll the student.
How long will students stay?
Once accepted, students are admitted to attend their regional PATHS program for the
remainder of that school year. We anticipate that PATHS students will return to their base
school for the next school year. PATHS staff will meet with the student’s base school
representatives to discuss the student’s progress and plan for the next school year.
PATHS
Alternative Elementary Classrooms
How will the PATHS program assess and monitor student progress?
Progress monitoring, formative, and summative assessments will be conducted in line with
WCPSS requirements. A baseline of academic skills will be obtained when the student begins in
the PATHS classroom in order to chart progress and the student’s response to interventions.
Data collected from students’ point sheets and social skills rubrics will be used to assess social
and school survival skill development.