Resource Specialist Program
 
 
 
GOALS  • to provide academic interventions and multi-sensory strategies for students Grades 1-8 with suspected or diagnosed learning disabilities, to help them to be more successful students. • to build students’ skills in organization, communication, self-advocacy and social /peer relationships. • to instruct students in the use of multimedia and technology which addresses their specific learning disabilities. SERVICES  • Specialized RSP courses for Grades 1-4 in both reading and math • Collaboration between the RS and classroom teachers regarding appropriate interventions and strategies to be used in class and on assessments. • Monitoring of RSP students Grades 5-8 and providing services on an as needed basis in all content areas- including 1-on1 tutoring, retesting & remediation. • Specific, direct instruction in study skills, test-taking strategies and critical thinking skills. • Learning Resource Center open before school, at lunch time, after school, and from 1:15-3:00 daily for all RSP students Grades 1-8 who might need extra help. • Assisted Technology to address individual learning needs, including laptop computers, an ELMO projector, audiobooks, and educational software such as Inspiration and KidSpiration. • Emphasis on developing students’ cognizance of their academic strengths and needs, learning style, self-advocacy skills, and social skills. • Participation at annual Student Success Team meetings. • Advice, assistance and referrals (when necessary) regarding academic obstacles. • Transition support: assistance with applications for accommodations on standardized tests and high school entrance exams. • Collaboration with Menlo Park City School District on Student Success Teams, the creation of service plans, and special education services. REQUIREMENTS  To participate in the RSP program, students in Grade 1 will be tested into the program using the 3R’s Examination (Riverside Publishing) which is a benchmark assessment for Reading and Math. Students scoring in the lowest percentile will be invited to be part of the RSP program. Students will be given an exit exam at the end of each term and may test out of the RSP program. Students who test out will be monitored academically for one full year, to make sure that they continue to be successful in the general education classroom without RSP support. Other students can be referred to RSP by a teacher or parent and may have some or all of the following documents: • Response to Intervention (RTI) sheet and referral from classroom teacher. • Poor scores on the report card (academic failure in a core subject.) • A history of poor ITBS or curriculum based assessment scores. • A comprehensive psycho-educational assessment completed within the last 3 years by a licensed psychologist, educational therapist or learning specialist. Documentation should: 1. validate the need for services based on the student’s current level of function in the current general educational classroom. 2. include the names of the tests administered and subtest scores. 3. include a detailed analysis of response to intervention, strategy or test performance 4. include a specific diagnosis of the nature of learning disability and recommendations for services While an Individualized Educational Program (IEP) can provide excellent additional information, it is not mandatory.
HISTORY
    
     Since 1977, Nativity School has been a leader in innovative programs that provide support and services to students with suspected or diagnosed learning disabilities and special needs.  
     Nativity School’s Resource Specialist Program (RSP) has been a model for similar programs in Catholic Elementary Schools in the Bay Area.
 
 
 
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Last Updated: June 17, 2007 | Nativity School, Menlo Park, California | Webmaster