Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12 Credit: one
This elective course is designed to provide support to a student in core curricular areas and to provide direct instruction in specific learning strategies, study skills, time management, organization, and coping skills. Time is also allotted to address individual areas of need as identified in a student's Individual Educational Plan (IEP). While students may receive assistance on core curricular assignments, the course is not designed to serve as a study hall. Students enrolled in the course receive the equivalent of one period of instruction each day and earn an elective credit. This course may be taught for an elective credit all four years or more, as appropriate. Students successfully completing two years of this course will satisfy the sequential elective requirement for the Standard and Modified Standard Diploma. (Students may be awarded a half-credit upon completion of a full semester of placement in the Basic Skills course. Such a decision is made by the school counselor in conjunction with the special education department chair.)
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12 Credit: one
This special education course is designed for students who need additional social/emotional support in order to progress in the general education curriculum because their social/emotional needs affect their school performance. Course topics include: understanding yourself, goal-setting, communication, building relationships, dealing with emotions, stress management, wellness, problem-solving, decision-making, self-advocacy, and career and transition. This course is appropriate for students who have documented social/emotional needs on their individualized education program (IEP).
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12 Credit: one
This program offers instruction in office procedures and technology. Students learn skills in MS Office applications and perform assignments essential to the operation of the day-to-day instructional program at schools, offices, and in the business community. This course can be taken for more than one year. Students successfully completing two years of this course will satisfy the sequential elective requirement for the Standard or Modified Standard diploma
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12 Credit: one
This course is for students with disabilities. Students learn about the world of work and may participate in a work experience as part of the instructional program.
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12 Credit: two
Prerequisite: Education for Employment 1
This course is for students with disabilities. Students learn about the world of work and may participate in a work experience as part of the instructional program. Students successfully completing this course will satisfy the sequential elective requirement for the Standard or Modified Standard diploma.
Student must be employable without support staff.
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12 Credit: one
This elective course offers students an opportunity to improve their reading, thinking, and study skills. A wide range of materials, both fiction and nonfiction, is used to extend vocabulary and comprehension. Students apply reading strategies to content materials and textbooks are provided. Both fiction and nonfiction, are used to improve vocabulary and comprehension. Students concentrate on reading for meaning through a variety of literature and content materials. This elective course offers students opportunities for reading improvement. Instruction is based on diagnosis of each student's needs. Reading competencies addressed in the Virginia Standards of Learning are incorporated into the course objectives. (With approval, schools may offer an alternate plan for incorporating reading instruction into other courses.)
Grades: 10, 11, 12 Credit: one
Reinforcing Foundations is a one credit elective course designed to provide support to tenth, eleventh, and/or twelfth grade high school special education students who have not yet not passed the eighth grade English: Reading/Literature and Research and Mathematics Standard of Learning tests and may be pursuing a modified standard diploma. This course will include skill work in reading comprehension, research, literature, computation, estimation, measurement, patterns, and basic algebra. This course may be taught for elective credit for three years, as appropriate. Students may be awarded a half-credit upon completion of a full semester of placement in Reinforcing Foundations. Such a decision is made by the school counselor in conjunction with the special education department chair.
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12 Credit: one
Foundations of Biology is a one-credit elective course designed to provide students with a fundamental understanding of living organisms and the processes of life. Emphasis is placed on scientific procedures and study of living things, cell parts and functions, plant classification and the functions of their various structures, animal classification, ecology, the human body, and the ways by which life forms reproduce, develop, and adapt to conditions in their environment. This course includes instruction on understanding the functioning and maintenance of the human body and Family Life Education. Parents have the option of withdrawing their children from any and all topics included in the Family Life Education portion. The course may be taught for elective credit for two years, as appropriate.
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12 Credit: one
Foundations of English, 9-12, is a one-credit elective course designed to provide students with the opportunities to achieve competencies in reading and writing, and to establish connections between classroom activities and post-secondary life experiences. Attention will be given to refining oral communication skills and written composition skills. Students will read a variety of literature, exploring literary themes in relation to real-life situations. This course may be taught for elective credit for four years or more, as appropriate.
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12 Credit: one
Foundations of World History/Geography is a one-credit elective course designed to provide students with a fundamental understanding of how past events influence the present day. Students explore the geography and history of Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America through compare/contrast, inquiry/research, technology, reading comprehension and problem solving. This course may be taught for elective credit for two years, as appropriate.
Grades: 11, 12 Credit: one
Prerequisite: One high school mathematics course
Students learn how to become wiser consumers in today’s society. Course topics include personal money management, business procedures, transportation, budgeting, taxation, banking, and insurance. Calculators are used as a tool throughout the course. This course does not meet the mathematics graduation requirements for the Standard or Advanced Studies Diploma.
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12 Credit: one
This option is available to high school students receiving special education services. Students explore potential career options while developing/improving skills needed for success in employment such as interpersonal/co-worker relationships. Most students participate in community work experiences as well. Students successfully completing two years of this course will satisfy the sequential elective requirement for the Standard or Modified Standard diploma.
(MR and AUTISM ONLY)
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12 Credit: one
Self-contained class offering keyboarding instruction based on student need. Students learn to manage computer systems, identify the parts and functions of the computer, learn typing skills and word processing skills. Students also learn to manage the internet. Students develop spreadsheets, learn multi-media presentations and integrate various software programs with previously acquired knowledge. This course may be taught for elective credit for 4 years as approved.
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12 Credit: one
This comprehensive individualized program is designed to prepare students for a style of living that will require a minimum of dependence on family. The course is geared to meet the needs of the students as they prepare to enter employment and emphasizes developing interpersonal skills, following directions, working independently, completing a task, and developing self-advocacy and other community living skills.