SPAN
SPECIAL PROGRAM FOR ADOLESCENT NEEDS (SPAN)
Characteristics of Students:

The Special Program for Adolescent Needs (SPAN) program provides educational services to students who have been identified as having Emotional and/or Behavioral Disorders (E/BD). These students have received special education services in their home school but their needs require more intensive special education services than can be provided in federal settings I and II. Students may receive up to 60% of their day of special education services in their home school before a SPAN placement is considered. The students placed in the SPAN classrooms are in need of a highly-structured educational setting and individualized instruction. Adaptations and modifications in the general education setting are not sufficient to meet their needs.

Program Description:

SPAN classrooms are highly structured special education classrooms that provide individualized instruction to a small group of 8-12 students. A highly-structured, proactive approach to teaching appropriate social and classroom behavior is employed in the classroom. Behavior management techniques are based on behavioral principles that are supported by research.

Curriculum:

Academic instruction is individualized for students in the SPAN classrooms. Behavior curriculum is a direct instruction approach to teaching appropriate behavior.

Service Delivery Model:

Whenever appropriate the students are taught using the general education curriculum and given the chance to receive instruction in the general education setting. When this is not possible due to a student’s academic or behavioral needs, instruction is provided by the SPAN staff in the SPAN classroom.

Staffing:

Each classroom is staffed with one teacher and two special education assistants. Each classroom is also allocated one day per week of school social work time. All SPAN staff receives intensive training in teaching students with significant emotional and/or behavioral disorders. Other special educational services that are identified on the IEP are available from licensed professionals in the building on a direct or consultative basis.

Placement:

Students are placed in the SPAN program by going through the Special Education Placement Policy (SEPP) process, including consultation with an E/BD District Program Facilitator (DPF).

Locations:

There are high school SPAN programs at Washburn, Henry and W. Harry Davis.
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