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Inclusive Education Supports and Services

Students who have been identified with diverse learning needs will be provided with appropriate assessments and Individualized Program Plans (IPP), Learner Support Plans (LSP) or Behavior Support Plans (BSP). The program of studies may be modified or adapted to meet the students’ learning needs and there will be a team approach to deliver the supports and services to the student.

Some students may not qualify for or meet the Alberta Learning criteria as students with “special education” needs but it is the intent of SPERD to offer all students quality instruction regardless of whether they qualify for a special education designation.  Below are some of our common team members that work together to provide supports to our students.

Coordinators Of Student Supports

Each school within the St. Paul Education Regional Division has a Coordinator of Student Support (COSS) to consult and collaborate with school staff, parents, outside agencies, professional service providers and ministerial partners regarding students with exceptional learning needs. They may administer individual achievement tests to provide information for programming, provide support in individual, small group or whole class settings, coordinate the development of Individual Program Plans (IPPs) or Learning Support Plans (LSPs), provide instructional support and coordinate referrals to professionals or outside agencies.

• Referral Process to Student Supports

Referrals are usually made by the classroom teacher or school administration to the Student Supports Department.  Parents who have concerns regarding the progress of their son/daughter may access involvement of the COSS directly or through the classroom teacher or administration.  

• Instructional Assistants

SPERD employs instructional assistants as paraprofessionals to work under the direction of classroom teachers to assist all students with academic, behavioral or personal care needs.  

Supporting Services

• Psychological and Educational Consulting

Educational Psychologist services may be contracted for the purpose of assessing the learning needs of a student and providing programming support and recommendations for the school-based team and for the family.

• Speech and Language

Speech-language pathology services are implemented with the help of our partners in Alberta Health Services or independent private contractors to support students whose educational and/or social progress is adversely affected by communication difficulties. The speech-language pathology services include a full range of services encompassing prevention, identification and assessment, direct instruction of students (individually, in classroom settings, or in small groups as appropriate), consultation, collaboration with educators regarding the student's needs in the classroom and other school environments, in-service training, and information sharing with families.

• Occupational Therapy

The Occupational Therapist’s role is to provide direct and indirect support to allow students to be successful in the classroom setting. Through identification of fine or gross motor, sensory and self care areas that are impacting the student’s performance at school; the Occupational Therapist will assist the student to function with the greatest level of independence possible.  We again work in partnership through the RCSD with Alberta Health Services and /or with private independent contractors to provide this service.

• Counseling Support

SPERD employs Family School Liaison Workers (FSLWs) as counselors assigned to the each school. They provide consultation to teachers and counseling services for students with social, emotional, or behavioral concerns, as well as acting as liaison with outside agencies. SPERD also works with our  ministerial partners in Mental Health and/or other privately contracted services to provide support to our students. All schools also employ a Success Coach through our Together We’re Better Project supported by the Mental Health Capacity Building grant.  Success Coaches provide universal and targeted programming to small and large groups on mental health topics through programs such as Fun Friends, Friends for Life, Kelso the Frog, Rainbows and Assertiveness Training.

• Other Supporting Service Providers

Other professionals may be consulted on an as needed basis to meet a child’s needs and provide programming suggestions for students.  This may include but is not limited to: Behaviorist, Vision Specialist, Deaf/Hard of Hearing Specialist, Audiologist, Psychiatrist, Relaxation Therapist, etc.

• Early Childhood Services (ECS)

All Elementary schools offer ECS or Kindergarten programming.  In addition to regular ECS programming, we also offer early intervention programming for students with identified needs.

• Program Unit Funding

Program Unit Funding or PUF is provided by Alberta Education to provide appropriate programs for children with a severe disability between the ages of two years six months and less than six years of age on September 1 and who are residents of the Province of Alberta. The funding is designed to provide services required such as paraprofessional support, speech therapy, occupational therapy, intervention programming, transportation, materials, and in-service for parents and staff. SPERD coordinates the funding and placement of the student in an ECS program. A Coordinator of Student Supports will work with the teaching and paraprofessional staff to program for the student’s needs.

Traditional Home Education Options

At St. Paul Education, we offer two very different types of homeschool programs. Below you can find more specific information about each to see which program is right for you:

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A. Parent-Directed Homeschool Program

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The Parent-Directed Homeschool program is defined as having the ability to educate your child within the home by either a parent-directed style of 

teaching or with the use of a tutor.  Students learn at their own pace as they follow an educational program plan designed by their parents and approved

by a certified institution. Learning is focused around student interests as well as dynamic family values, beliefs, lifestyles and faith, resulting in productive

and inspired individuals within our global community.

Benefits of a Parent-Directed Home Education Program:

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• Family values and culture are preserved and encouraged through family in-home teachings

• Parent-directed education and nurtured learning can take place within the home

• Gives families the freedom to design a program that best meets the needs of their child

• Parents choose the educational plan and monitor and evaluate their child’s progress

• In designing program plans, parents can access and select from our school’s vast library of online and print resources as well as have the freedom to use preferred curricula

• Learning opportunities vary from day to day

• Limitless learning spaces as learning can happen any place and at any time

• Students learn time management skills while learning at their own pace

• Field trips and teaching opportunities are decided upon by the approved Educational Program Plan

• Access to program reimbursements as listed in the approved Educational Program Plan.

B. Shared-Responsibility Homeschool Program

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A shared-responsibility program is defined as the ability to follow the traditional, parent-led homeschool path while integrating with the Alberta Program of        Studies set forth by Alberta Education.

Benefits of Our Shared-Responsibility Program:

• Flexibility to complete the entire or selected portions of the educational program at home, directed by parents. In addition, programs can be delivered by the school with guidance from certified teachers

• Can follow the Alberta Program of Studies

• High school students can earn Alberta high school credits necessary for post-secondary programs

• Access to a wide variety of options courses

• The ability to access resources from the St. Paul Education (classroom libraries, the School & Public Library, textbook and workbook materials, computers and printers, and much more)

• Assessment tools are available to help evaluate student progress

• Access to a career counsellor to help with post-secondary and/or career planning

• Religious Studies programs through the Christian and Catholic lenses are available for K-12

• The German Language and Culture program option for students in grades K-9 integrates Bible Studies and special events into students’ programming

St. Paul Education Outreach Programs

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St. Paul Education Regional Division has two outreach programs, offered in three different sites throughout the division - St. Paul, Elk Point and Myrnam.  Our Outreach Programs are ideal for students who want to finish their high school education within a flexible learning environment. An Outreach program, in its time, was once meant for students that were at risk of leaving the educational system prior to completion.  Today, after considerable advancement, outreach programs now include ANY STUDENT that is in need of a program that is flexible, accommodating and full of opportunity.

* Our unique programs are designed to meet the needs of each individual student.

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Who are our Outreach Programs for? Our Outreach Program Could be Ideal for Students...

• in Junior and Senior High

• wishing to take their full high school program within an Outreach program setting

• needing a few courses to fulfill their graduation requirements

• in which a school program does not fit with their work schedules

• who have difficulty with regular school programming

• requiring upgrading or course completions

• extensively engaged in sports, the fine arts, etc. and unable to regularly attend classes

• who find regular school programs aren't meeting their religious and cultural needs

• with individualized mental and/or physical struggles (coping with anxiety, depression, etc.)

• who find large classrooms difficult for learning

• who are, or are soon-to-become, parenting teens

• needing educational supports such as counselling (personal/career), conflict resolution, anger management, study skills, parenting skills, learning strategies for success

• recovering or involved in specialized programming for addictions and abuse

What are the Benefits our Enrolling in our Outreach Programs?

• Ability to follow an individualized program

• Students can work at their own pace within an expectation guideline set by facilitators

• Attendance expectations will be determined on a per student basis (factor dependent)

• Reduced work load possibilities for students that are employed (students may work on one course at a time if required by employment schedules)

• Discipline issues are significantly reduced

• Student/Teacher ratios are low resulting in constructive and meaningful interactions with focus on student needs

• An increase in personal attention to students mean an increase in academic success as students gain confidence and a feeling of belonging

• Students have access to specialized training and education supports

• Students can complete coursework in a timely manner

• Outreach Programs provide second chances for students to succeed

• Negative and stressful school experiences will become positive as teachers have the opportunity to work, discuss and support the students on a one-to-one basis

• Access to many community resources, such as Addictions Counselling, AHS and the Dragonfly Sexual Assault Center