By Katie Friedman
Correspondent
At their most recent meeting, Monday, June 14, members of the Maple Lake School Board received an update on the Alternative Delivery of Specialized Instructional Services (ADSIS) program, as presented by math teacher Amy Voigt, and approved the program’s continuation next year.
Under this program, teachers and paraprofessionals at the elementary and high school work with students who can use a bit of extra help but may not qualify for other specialized programming. Students find their way into the program through a variety of avenues that include test scores, teacher referrals and parent requests.
Voight said this past school year the program served 105 students in one or more areas including math, reading and behavioral issues. (This is down from 114 students last year.) Of those, 15 graduated from the program (highest number yet) and none were referred to Special Education programs. (Seven such referrals were made last year.) Voigt said that lack of referrals is an indicator of the program’s success.
Distance learning provided unique challenges this year, as it was difficult to mantain contact with every student. Twelve students left the program before year’s end: one by parent request, one who moved away from the district, five who did not attend or use services, and five who moved to home school, online school or alternative learning centers.
There is no limit to the number of students who can participate. Most students served by ADSIS are in junior high or elementary grades, with behavioral issues dominating the need in the lower grades, and math and reading services in the middle grades. Many graduate out of the program by the time they are in high school. The program is funded both locally and by government grants through the next two years.
The Board’s next meeting is Monday, July 12.