Programs
Early Learning Center (ELC)The Early Learning Center is a comprehensive public pre-school program designed to meet the needs of West Hartford children with disabilities, between the ages of three and five years old. Students are referred to the ELC from several sources: parents, community based pre-schools, the State of Connecticut Birth to Three Program, teachers, public and private agencies and pediatricians. Students present with speech and language, developmental, social, behavioral and academic delays. The ELC is an inclusive pre-school where students with disabilities are educated in a reverse mainstream setting with typically developing peers. Students receive instruction in kindergarten readiness skills in a standards based program with individualized instruction in the areas of need. To address these needs, the ELC provides speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, social skill education, behavioral consultation, psychological and counseling services and applied behavioral analysis. Students attend the program on a half day, full day and itinerant basis as determined by the level of individual need. The Early Learning Center staff is responsible for evaluative and consultative services to private community based pre-schools attended by West Hartford residents. The Early Learning Center special education pre-school programs are located at Aiken School and Whiting Lane School.
Elementary Resource Programs
At each district school Special Education Resource Teachers provide diagnostic consultation and assessment. The teachers supplement the general education curriculum with research based instructional practices. Instruction is delivered in the general education classroom and in small group instruction in the Resource Room, (i.e., “push in,” “pull out”). Related services are integrated into the program. Students identified with learning disabilities (LD) receive resource support based on their needs, but typically 2 – 4 x per week.
Adjusted Curriculum Program
The AC program, at Duffy Elementary School, is for students with significant learning disabilities and/or language impairments. A co-taught model of instruction is utilized at each grade level. Related Services are integrated into the program. Students identified as adjusted curriculum (AC) are a subset of students with learning disabilities, language impairments and/or other disabilities (i.e. OHI) that require significant levels of services and support that are greater than the student’s neighborhood/home school can provide. While the level of support varies among the elementary schools, students identified as adjusted curriculum typically require specialized instruction for 9-10 + hours per week. Students at the secondary level in grades 6-12 would be identified as adjusted curriculum if they were enrolled in 3 or more special education classes.
The Learning Center Program at Braeburn
The Learning Center Program is for students with emotional and behavioral disabilities who are referred by their home schools. Behavioral intervention plans and contracts are developed and implemented for each student. The School Social Worker and Psychologist provide group and individual counseling, as well as family support.
Instruction is delivered in both the general education classroom and the learning center. Students identified as having emotional and behavioral disabilities would first receive instructional and therapeutic support at their neighborhood schools. Students that require a highly structured program with therapeutic and behavioral intervention would be referred to the Learning Center at Braeburn or to the STRIVE programs at the secondary level.
Special Needs
The Special Needs program is for students with significant developmental disabilities, i.e., autism, cognitive delays, Bio-neurological impairments, significant speech and language disabilities, and/or multiple disabilities. Related Services are integrated into the program. Instruction is delivered in both the general education classroom with support and/or the Learning Center. The programs are located at Norfeldt, Whiting Lane, and Wolcott Schools. Students with Intellectual Disabilities are educated in their neighborhood school.
Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA)
The ABA program is designed for students with severe autism spectrum disorders requiring specialized discrete trial instruction. ABA instruction is delivered in a high staff student ratio. Significant related services are required for this program. The programs are located at ELC, Whiting Lane School, and Wolcott School.
Middle School Programs and Services
Home School Placement, with the exception of the KPM Multi-disabled program, is provided at the middle school level. The focus is on general education placement. Co-taught classes for math, language arts, and science are offered. Academic support is also provided through content support and resource classes. In addition, Special Education reading classes for decoding/ phonemic awareness/fluency and comprehension are available. Related services are integrated into the program. An alternative program (STRIVE) is provided for students with emotional and behavioral disabilities who require a highly structured program with related and therapeutic supports.
High School Programs and Services
At the high school level students are placed at their home school, with the exception of the Hall Multi-disabled program and the STRIVE alternative program. Our focus is on general education placement. Co-taught classes for many core courses, (English, Math, Social Studies and Science) are available. Instructional Support is also offered through the Learning Strategies class, resource classes and special education reading classes. Related services are integrated into the program. Vocational services include transition planning community work experience, job and office training, and the pre-vocational Activity Center.
STRIVE
The STRIVE (Success Through Responsibility, Initiative, Vision and Education) program is for middle and high school students with significant behavioral and emotional disabilities. Behavioral plans are developed and implemented for each student. Daily group and/or individual counseling is provided. Access to general education is planned as appropriate. The programs are housed at KPM, Sedgwick, and 11 Wampanoag Drive.
WAAVE & Post-Secondary Programs
The WAAVE (West Hartford Applied Academic & Vocational Experience) program is for intellectually disabled students, ages 18-21. The program addresses the need areas of self care, personal & social independence, vocational and community based experiences, and functional academics. Upon completion of the program, at age 21, services are then provided by the Department of Developmental Services (DDS).
The Post-Secondary program has been developed for students with significant developmental disabilities who are not eligible for DDS, and need support following four years of high school. This group includes our higher functioning students with autism. The program focuses on developing independence in the areas of public transportation use, daily living skills, vocational and social skills.Both programs are housed at 11 Wampanoag Drive and access student services at the University of Hartford campus. Students are employed in a variety of on-campus and community based jobs.
Out of District Placements
These placements are provided for students with exceptional educational needs and/or unique non-educational needs that cannot be accommodated in district, or placed by the Department of Children and Families (DCF). Decision for placement is made through the PPT with consideration to the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). Placements are supervised and monitored annually by West Hartford Public Schools.