Student learning supports

Community Consolidated School District 89 teachers use differentiated learning strategies in their classrooms in an effort to address the unique educational needs of each individual student. To meet the needs of every student, the following programs are available to those who qualify:

English learner (EL) supports - a program available to students from families of non-English speaking backgrounds and whose level of English proficiency significantly interferes with their academic performance. Teachers and/or aides provide ELL services with small-group and computer-assisted instruction.

Academic Intervention and Support/Response to Intervention (RtI) - A program designed to promote growth in reading, writing, and math. The program provides additional teacher instruction and supplements the ongoing reading, writing, and math work in the regular classroom. Through a systematic approach, students are identified for academic support through evaluation of assessment results, classroom performance, and teacher input.  Commonly referred to as, Response to Intervention (RtI), the students' progress is closely monitored and changes are made based on how the child is responding to the additional academic support.  

Section 504 plans - Any student who has a mental or physical impairment, which substantially limits one or more major life activities, is considered disabled under Section 504. Major life activities include functions such as: caring for one’s self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, concentrating, bending, and working. The physical or mental impairment does not constitute a disability for the purposes of Section 504 unless its severity is such that it results in substantial limitation of one or more of the major life activities. 

Special Education - Services are provided for students who qualify according to state criteria for specified programs or services. Services may include: occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech/language therapy, as well as programs designed for students with learning disabilities and behavioral disorders.

Challenge Program - A program for students in grades 2 through 5 who are gifted in their intellectual ability, academic development, and creative thinking. This instruction is in addition to the standard classroom curriculum and is provided by a teacher who is specially trained in gifted education. Emphasis is placed on developing higher-level critical and creative thinking.