SPED AND ELL SERVICES
Special Education(SPED)
HCSS is committed to providing comprehensive and high-quality services for students with disabilities to meet all requirements of state and federal legislation. We believe that the general education curriculum, guided by the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks, offers special education students the best opportunity to succeed in school and life. We believe that improving the educational results for children with disabilities is essential to ensure equal opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency.
HCSS is committed to the practices of inclusion and Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Inclusion is the practice of supporting students with disabilities in age-appropriate general education classes and providing the specialized instruction outlined by their individualized education programs (IEPs) within the framework of the common core curriculum. By combining the inclusion setting and UDL, we provide special education students with an academically rigorous education in the least restrictive environment while following the individual education program (IEP).
In addition, HCSS will offer specialized study halls with homework support, a mentoring program, a positive behavior system, pull-out services, and an emphasis on inclusion and co-teaching to meet the needs of special education students.
HCSS Parent Rights Information
English Language Learner(ELL) Program
All teachers at HCSS are supportive in creating a warm classroom environment where the ELL student is supported and accommodated in a Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) instructional model. Students receive both Sheltered English Immersion Instruction components through direct ESL instruction and sheltered content instruction that is aligned with the most current Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks and integrates WIDA English Language Development (ELD) Standards.
We design and implement a curriculum using the SEI model to ensure that ELL students receive effective English language and content instruction at appropriate academic levels. Content and curriculum of sheltered content classrooms will be appropriate for the student’s age span and grade level.
HCSS provides ELL students equal access to academic programs and services. We ensure that all ELL students are taught the same academic standards and curriculum and offer the same opportunities to master such standards. ELL students have the same opportunities to enter academically advanced classes, receive credit for work done, and access the full range of programs.
