A+ Ideas, Programs, and Practices

The Hornet Hive Community Project at Hamilton High School West is more than a program for special-needs students. It is an altruistic effort helping the Hamilton community. Each year, the Multiple Disabilities Life Skills Program at Hamilton High School West chooses a social organization that it partners with to “give back” to the community. Disabled … Continued

The goal of H.I.P. is to address socialization as an essential life skill for both special education and general education students. H.I.P. uses “reverse inclusion” for typically developing students in the seventh and eighth grades and for 11-14 year old students in the multiple disabilities class. General education students are invited into the multiple disabilities … Continued

Paramus Public School’s Life Skills Education Achievement Program (L.E.A.P.) is innovative in its small business concept units and its aspirations to improve and develop meaningful education experiences for students with multiple abilities. Students in the L.E.A.P. program have created a number of small businesses in order to develop real world, daily-living and job skills. Examples … Continued

In recent years, the special education population of Colonia Middle School has grown significantly, with special needs students now comprising nearly 20 percent of the school population. Realizing that special needs students were not fully immersed in the school culture, Language Arts teacher Laura Skiba and her eighth-grade class developed an activity to share with … Continued

Student leadership and advocacy are priorities in many school districts. But how many middle school special education students have the opportunity to participate in their own IEP meetings, and articulate their needs and strengths with parents and teachers? At Readington Middle School, special education teachers work with students to identify their strengths and areas of … Continued

This high school district and its broader community have come together to give Delaware Valley’s special education students valuable learning opportunities, as well as experience in the work world. More than 50 employers provide job training experiences to students. Job sites range from a lumber yard to a graphic design firm; and from the local … Continued

Glass fusing is the art of melting layers of glass by placing them in a kiln and heating them until the glass is fused. Students begin the program by reading an information text and completing a written assessment to show comprehension. They learn the tools of the trade and safety rules. Working in teams, with … Continued

Bankbridge Buddies teaches elementary students social skills, as well as the value of “giving back,” by reaching out to the community to serve residents of a nursing home. Started in 2007, the program involves fourth- through sixth-grade students at Bankbridge Elementary School, in Gloucester County, who have multiple and behavioral disabilities. Each month, students visit … Continued

Developing a successful school board budget is never an easy task. Developing a successful school budget during lean financial times is especially challenging. But school districts can rise to, and overcome, the challenge. This district offers a practical, three-pronged approach to providing a free, thorough and efficient education for all students. Keys to success, as … Continued

A public school program for children diagnosed on the autism spectrum, the Valley Program educates children from Northern Valley Regional’s two high schools, as well as the seven elementary districts that send students there. Students range in age from 3 to 16. Program features include nationally certified staff, masters-level speech therapists, training for parents and … Continued