Special Education

Social Communication is a skills-based course designed to support the development of effective social interaction, communication, and critical thinking skills. Students will learn practical strategies to communicate appropriately and confidently with peers and adults across a variety of settings.

Course content includes relationship etiquette, classroom and workplace etiquette, managing authority figures and conflict, online and social media safety and etiquette, kindness and empathy, nonverbal communication skills, self-regulation, self-advocacy, public speaking, and basic budgeting skills.

This course provides specially designed instruction aligned to 7th grade English Language Arts standards to support students with identified learning needs. Instruction focuses on developing reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language skills through differentiated, scaffolded, and individualized approaches.

Students will engage with a variety of texts to build comprehension, vocabulary, and critical thinking skills while practicing writing for different purposes and audiences. Emphasis is placed on foundational literacy skills, grammar and language conventions, and effective communication.

This course provides specially designed instruction aligned to 8th grade English Language Arts standards to support students with identified learning needs. Instruction emphasizes reading comprehension, written expression, speaking and listening skills, and language development through differentiated, scaffolded, and individualized instruction.

Students will engage with a range of literary and informational texts to strengthen critical thinking, vocabulary, and comprehension skills while developing clear and organized writing. Instruction also focuses on grammar, language conventions, and effective communication strategies. Course content and instructional methods are tailored to support student goals, promoting academic growth, independence, and readiness for high school-level English Language Arts.

PACE: English Language Arts I is designed to introduce students to the foundational skills of reading and writing. The course places strong emphasis on basic sentence structure, writing mechanics, vocabulary development, phonics skills, and making meaningful connections to text. Key areas of focus include phonemic awareness, matching spoken and written language, and developing comprehension through text connections.

Students will also be introduced to the fundamentals of written expression in a supportive, structured environment. Instruction is individualized and adapted to meet specific student needs, with course content modified to align with students' goals.

PACE: English Language Arts II builds upon the foundational reading and writing skills introduced in PACE: English Language Arts I. The course continues to emphasize sentence structure, writing mechanics, vocabulary development, and phonics while increasing focus on reading comprehension and written expression. Students will strengthen their ability to make connections to text, understand meaning, and apply language skills in more complex contexts.

Instruction supports the continued development of phonemic awareness, alignment of spoken and written language, and comprehension strategies in a structured and supportive learning environment. Course content is individualized and adapted to address specific student needs, with instruction aligned to student goals.

PACE: English Language Arts III builds upon previously developed reading and writing skills with an increased emphasis on comprehension, communication, and functional literacy. Students will continue to strengthen sentence structure, writing mechanics, vocabulary, and phonics skills while applying these skills to more complex texts and real-world communication tasks.

Instruction focuses on improving reading comprehension, making meaningful connections to text, and expanding written expression through structured, supported activities. Students will practice expressing ideas clearly in both written and spoken formats. Course content is individualized and adapted to meet specific student needs.

PACE: English Language Arts IV is designed to extend and refine students’ reading, writing, and communication skills with an emphasis on independence, comprehension, and functional application. Students will apply previously learned literacy skills to increasingly complex texts and real-world communication tasks.

Instruction focuses on strengthening reading comprehension, written expression, vocabulary usage, and effective communication in academic and everyday contexts. Students will practice organizing ideas, responding to text, and expressing themselves clearly and appropriately. Course content is individualized and adapted to address specific student needs, with instruction aligned to students' goals.

PACE: Daily Living Skills is designed to foster the development of independent living skills for high school students receiving special education services. The course emphasizes practical, functional skills that support students in living as independently as possible following graduation.

Instruction focuses on real-world applications and may include topics such as self-awareness, health and self-care, social interactions, problem solving, household responsibilities, money management, career awareness, and daily living routines. The primary focus of the course is meeting, maintaining, and making progress with instruction individualized to support student growth and independence.

PACE: 7th Grade Math is designed to provide specially designed instruction aligned to foundational math concepts while meeting the individual needs of students receiving special education services. Instruction emphasizes number sense, basic operations, problem-solving strategies, and the practical application of mathematical concepts.

Students will engage in scaffolded learning experiences that support understanding of concepts such as fractions, decimals, ratios, basic algebraic thinking, and real-world math applications. Course content and instructional strategies are individualized and adapted to align with each student’s goals, supporting academic growth and confidence in mathematics.

PACE: 8th Grade Math builds upon foundational math skills with an increased focus on problem solving, mathematical reasoning, and real-world application. Instruction emphasizes core concepts such as operations with rational numbers, proportional reasoning, basic equations, geometry concepts, and introductory algebraic thinking.

Students will participate in structured, differentiated instruction designed to strengthen mathematical understanding and promote independence. Course content is individualized and adapted to meet specific student needs, with instruction aligned to goals outlined, preparing students for high school-level math expectations.

PACE: 9th Grade Math provides specially designed instruction aligned to foundational high school mathematics concepts while addressing individual student needs. Instruction emphasizes number sense, basic algebraic thinking, problem-solving strategies, and the practical application of math skills in real-world contexts.

Students will engage in scaffolded learning experiences focused on operations with rational numbers, introductory equations, proportions, and functional math skills. Course content and instructional strategies are individualized, supporting academic growth and confidence in mathematics.

PACE: 10th Grade Math builds upon foundational math skills with an increased focus on algebraic reasoning, mathematical relationships, and applied problem solving. Instruction emphasizes equations, expressions, basic geometry concepts, data interpretation, and real-world applications of mathematics.

Students will participate in structured, differentiated instruction designed to strengthen mathematical understanding and promote independence. Course content is individualized and adapted to meet specific student needs.

PACE: 11th Grade Math focuses on applying mathematical skills to functional, academic, and real-world situations. Instruction emphasizes problem solving, reasoning, and the use of mathematics in daily living, career readiness, and decision-making contexts.

Students will work with concepts such as budgeting, measurement, data analysis, basic algebraic applications, and practical geometry. Instruction is individualized with an emphasis on increasing independence and preparing students for postsecondary transitions.

PACE: 12th Grade Math is designed to strengthen functional math skills and support students in applying mathematics to independent living and postsecondary readiness. Instruction emphasizes real-world applications such as financial literacy, personal budgeting, consumer math, measurement, and problem solving related to daily life and employment.

Course content is individualized, with a focus on maintaining skills, promoting independence, and supporting successful transition beyond high school.

PACE: 7th Grade Social Studies provides specially designed instruction focused on building foundational social studies knowledge and skills. Students will explore basic concepts related to geography, history, civics, and culture while developing skills in comprehension, discussion, and critical thinking.

Instruction emphasizes understanding maps, communities, historical events, and civic responsibilities through modified content and scaffolded instruction. Course content is individualized to support progress toward goals.

PACE: 8th Grade Social Studies builds upon foundational skills with increased emphasis on U.S. history, government, and civic responsibility. Students will examine key historical events, foundational documents, and the roles of citizens in society using adapted materials and instructional supports.

Instruction focuses on developing comprehension, discussion, and application of social studies concepts in meaningful ways.

PACE: 9th Grade Social Studies introduces students to global perspectives through the study of world history, geography, and cultural awareness. Instruction emphasizes understanding historical events, geographic regions, and cultural differences while building skills in comparison, cause-and-effect reasoning, and communication.

Course content is modified and individualized to meet student needs with an emphasis on comprehension and real-world relevance.

PACE: 10th Grade Social Studies focuses on American history and civic understanding with an emphasis on major historical developments, democratic principles, and the role of individuals in society. Students will explore historical events, government structures, and civic responsibilities through structured and supported instruction.

Instruction promotes engagement, understanding, and practical application of social studies concepts.

PACE: 11th Grade Social Studies emphasizes civics, government, and economic principles with a focus on preparing students for informed citizenship. Topics may include rights and responsibilities, decision-making, laws, and basic economic concepts that impact daily life.

Instruction supports critical thinking, discussion, and application of concepts in real-world contexts. Course content is aligned to student goals with an emphasis on independence and postsecondary readiness.

PACE: 12th Grade Social Studies is designed to support transition planning and real-world application of social studies concepts. Instruction emphasizes functional civics, financial literacy, community engagement, and understanding societal systems that affect daily living and employment.

Students will apply social studies knowledge to practical situations such as voting, employment rights, consumer responsibilities, and community participation.

PACE: 7th Grade Science provides specially designed instruction focused on building foundational science knowledge and inquiry skills. Students will explore basic concepts in life, physical, and earth science through hands-on activities, observation, and guided investigation.

Instruction emphasizes scientific vocabulary, cause-and-effect relationships, and applying science concepts to everyday experiences. Course content is individualized and adapted to support progress.

PACE: 8th Grade Science builds upon foundational skills with an increased focus on scientific reasoning and application. Students will examine key concepts in physical science, earth science, and biology using structured experiments, models, and real-world examples.

Instruction emphasizes data collection, interpretation, and communication of scientific ideas. Course content is modified and individualized to meet student needs.

PACE: 9th Grade Science introduces students to core high school science concepts with an emphasis on real-world application and functional understanding. Topics may include basic biology, earth systems, and introductory physical science concepts.

Instruction focuses on building comprehension, using scientific tools, and applying concepts to everyday life.

PACE: 10th Grade Science emphasizes life science concepts such as ecosystems, human body systems, heredity, and environmental science. Students will explore how science impacts personal health, community, and the environment through structured, supported instruction.

Course content and instructional strategies support comprehension, engagement, and application.

PACE: 11th Grade Science focuses on physical science concepts and their practical applications. Topics may include energy, forces, matter, and basic chemistry concepts as they relate to daily living and career awareness.

Instruction emphasizes problem solving, observation, and applying scientific principles to real-world situations. Course content is individualized to support progress toward independence and transition readiness.

PACE: 12th Grade Science is designed to support transition planning and the application of science concepts to independent living and employment. Instruction emphasizes health science, environmental awareness, safety, and science-based decision making in everyday life.

Students will apply scientific understanding to topics such as personal health, workplace safety, sustainability, and community resources. Course supports successful transitions beyond high school.