4325

COMPENSATORY EDUCATION

The Board of Education, in its commitment to provide an educational program which meets individual student needs, recognizes the importance of compensatory education. The Board therefore directs the Superintendent of Schools to oversee the development, maintenance and evaluation of a compensatory education program coordinated and articulated with the developmental program. The program will specifically address the needs of students who must be provided compensatory education as a result of test scores on state-required tests (in compliance with the Regulations of the Commissioner), and may address the needs of other educationally disadvantaged students.

To determine student eligibility for federal and state programs, the Superintendent or his/ her designee will design appropriate student assessment procedures. Assessment shall be a collaborative effort involving parents, regular classroom teachers, guidance and special education personnel. Referrals may be initiated by Building Principals and/or classroom teachers, based in part on low student scores on state competency tests, but also taking into consideration a broad range of student needs. Students who are participating in Chapter I will be eligible for such services until they are performing at grade level.

Individual assessments shall attempt to gauge a student's need for emotional and/or physical health services, and seek to determine whether his/her academic performance has a basis in a physical or emotional disability. Student learning style and level of proficiency in speaking/reading/writing English must also be assessed. If the latter is a factor, instruction in English as a second language (ESL) and/or bilingual instruction may be provided prior to any determination regarding the need for further specialized instruction. All transferring students and new entrants shall be screened to determine their need for compensatory education. A student may be eligible for remediation based on test scores received from the district in which such student was previously enrolled.

If a student is eligible for compensatory education, he/she will be assigned to an appropriately certified teacher qualified to provide instruction in the area for which remediation is required. Inservice training in compensatory methods/programs shall be provided to all teachers periodically.

Actual compensatory education will vary in approach, but will focus on common instructional objectives. Student meetings with trained faculty will be scheduled during the school day, but all faculty members are to be available after school hours to provide a period of help, instruction and make-up work. Teachers are encouraged to involve parents, community volunteers, teacher aides/assistants and student peers whenever possible.

Teachers shall coordinate compensatory education with the student's regular classwork and homework load. Program goals shall include regular coordination of the curriculum across grades and between grade levels, based upon a core curriculum.

All compensatory education programs shall be evaluated yearly. Evaluation shall be based on norm-referenced test scores and other objective student outcomes, such as classroom performance and student behavior. When seeking to improve programs, the Superintendent or his/her designee shall research effective program models used by other districts in New York State and nationally. Such models shall be adapted to district resources and needs. All program outlines shall be submitted to the Board for prior approval.

In addition, the district shall seek all applicable state and federal fundings to improve its compensatory education programs and services.

Cross-ref 1900, Parental Involvement

4010, Equivalence in Instructional Staff and Materials

4200, Curriculum Development

4326, Limited English Proficiency Instruction

6231, Chapter I/PSEN/PCEN Programs and Services

Ref: 8 NYCRR §§100.1(g); 100.2(r); 100.3(b); 100.4(d)(e)

Adoption date: January 1, 1993
                           December 7, 1999