Special Education

For the 1997/98 school year, there are 122 students enrolled at Uxbridge Secondary School who are identified as being exceptional students by the Durham District School Board. The areas of exceptionality include: Behavioural, Communication, Exceptional, Hearing, Intellectual-Gifted or Slow Learner, Multiple, Orthopaedic and Physical. Eighteen of the identified students are enrolled in two self-contained regional classes; these are the Multiple Exceptionalities Class and the Senior Associated Class. The rest of the identified students are enrolled in mainstreamed classes. Resource teachers provide a variety of services to help support the mainstreamed students. In addition , there are some modified grade 9 classes; these include MAT, SNC and the Reading Peer Tutor Program. Students in grades 10 to 12 may choose courses at the Basic, General and Advanced levels. In addition, U.S.S has an excellent Technical Depertment where students may take courses in transportation, construction, CAD laboratory and food school. Senior students are encouraged to take Cooperative Education placements in preparation for career choice and training. When students graduate they may enter the work force, enroll in apprenticeship, or may attend college or university.

School Accessibility

Uxbridge Secondary School is commited to equal educational opportunities for all. An elevator provides accessibility to all floors of the school and the library has both an elevator and a ramp. The music room is accessible by a ramp as well. There are four wheelchair accessible washrooms situated on different levels of the school. The front doors of the school have an automatic push button opening.

A) Special Programs

1. The Multiple Exceptionalities Class

The Multiple Exceptionalities Class is a self-contained regional program for identified exceptional students who need significant modifications to their programs. Students earn credits and work towards achieving an Ontario Secondary School Diploma. The students usually spend half of the day in the M.E. class studying their compulsory courses, and half of the day integrated into mainstream optional courses. Senior students benefit from Cooperative Education placements.

2. Senior Associated Class

This in a non-credit, self-contained regional program designed to meet the needs of identified students who are developmentally challenged. Curriculum includes the following: functional academics, life skills, work education, social, recreational experiences and community awareness. Where appropriate, students are integrated into school classes. The program focuses on meeting the individual needs, and fostering the personal growth and achievement of each student.

B) Special Education Services For Mainstreamed Students

1. Resource Teachers

Resource teachers provide the following services for identified exceptional students:

• provide teachers and parents/guardians with Individual Education Plans
• collaborate with subject teachers
• monitor academic progress
• provide alternative testing opportunities
• conduct Team Meetings for students
• facilitate academic, personal and career counselling
• conduct annual student Reviews

2. Resource Teacher For The Gifted

A Resource teacher provides the following services to identified Gifted students:

• monitors academic progress and assists teachers with individualizing programs
• provides counselling
• coordinates enrichment opportunities

3. Area Team Resource Staff

Students may be referred to the following itinerant personnel:

• Speech and Language Pathologist
• Teacher for the Hearing Impaired
• Psychological Services Staff

SEE COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY CONTACTS FOR SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS