Special Education

Information on WHS Support Continuum

Click on the name of the course to go directly to its description.

F/S = Semester Course (+) = Honors Point (*) = Possible Course
Mild/Moderate Special Education Courses
Practical History
Practical English Directed Studies
Directed English 2 Practical Life Skills
Directed Applied Communication  
Extensive Support Needs Courses
Transition Skills Functional Communications
Vocational Skills Functional Life Skills
Functional English Functional Technology
Functional Vocational Skills Functional World History

Practical MATH

Grade: 9-10   I   Term: Yearlong   |   Level: General Elective Only   I UC/ CSU requirement N/A

Practical Mathematics is a special education class, consisting of specialized academic instruction, focused on developing both procedural skills and conceptual understanding leading to the application of mathematical concepts. Course domains may include numbers and operations, algebra and algebraic thinking, measurement and data, and geometry. Students will solve real-life problems using a variety of mathematical operations and tools. Enrollment in this class is based on an IEP team recommendation, and the curricular focus is based on the student’s individual needs (accommodations, modifications, and identified goals) agreed to by the IEP team.

Prerequisite: Recommendation from IEP Team


Practical English

Grade Level: 9   |   Term: Yearlong   |   Level: High School Graduation Credit

Practical English 1 is a special education class, consisting of specialized academic instruction where students will enhance their reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills as they study fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama. Practical English 1 begins to lay the foundation for the rest of a student’s English career at WHS as well as beyond high school. Enrollment in this class is based on a student’s IEP team decision that this class is appropriate. The curricular focus is based on the student’s individual needs (accommodations/modifications and identified goals) agreed to by the IEP team.

Prerequisite: Recommendation from IEP Team


DIRECTED ENGLISH 2

Grade Level: 10   |   Term: Yearlong   |   Level: High School Graduation Credit

Directed English 2 is a special education class, consisting of specialized academic instruction where students will enhance their reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills as they study fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama. Directed English 2 continues to build a student’s English skills as they progress through their English career at WHS as well as beyond high school. Enrollment in this class is based on a student’s IEP team decision that this class is appropriate. The curricular focus is based on the student’s individual needs (accommodations/modifications and identified goals) agreed to by the IEP team.

Prerequisite: Recommendation from IEP Team


DIRECTED APPLIED COMMUNICATION

Grade Level: 11   |   Term: Yearlong   |   Level: High School Graduation Credit

Directed Applied Communication is a special education class, consisting of specialized academic instruction, focused on the principles of language: reading, writing, listening, speaking and language. In conjunction with the Read 180 program, students read novels, selections from novels, short stories, poems and real world documents like articles and news stories to increase their reading comprehension, vocabulary development, and word analysis skills with an emphasis on using words in context. Students write a well-structured multi-paragraph essay (introduction, body paragraphs, conclusion) by creating and using graphic organizers for essay development. Students will develop skills to evaluate and edit their essays. Enrollment in this class is based on a student’s IEP team decision that this class is appropriate. The curricular focus is based on the student’s individual needs (accommodations/modifications and identified goals) agreed to by the IEP team.

Prerequisite: Recommendation from IEP Team


PRACTICAL HISTORY

Grade: 9-10   I   Term: Yearlong   |   Level: General Elective Only   I UC/ CSU requirement N/A

Practical History is a special education class, consisting of specialized academic instruction, focused on the elements of history: economics, politics, sociology, culture, and religion. Students will make connections between past and present, prompting real-world associations, and expanding their social and academic experiences. Through their study of history, students will work on their spatial and chronological thinking, points of view, historical research, and historical interpretation. Enrollment in this class is based on an IEP team recommendation, and the curricular focus is based on the student’s individual needs (accommodations, modifications, and identified goals) agreed to by the IEP team.

Prerequisite: Recommendation from IEP Team


Directed Studies

Grade: 9-12   I   Term: Yearlong   |   Level: General Elective Only   I UC/ CSU requirement N/A

Directed Studies is a special education class, consisting of specialized academic instruction, offered to support the general education curriculum. In this class, students review daily coursework, pre-teach and reteach concepts, organize and prioritize coursework, clarify directions, study for assessments, retake or finish assessments, learn organization and study skills, receive assistance with long-term projects, and develop college and career readiness. Enrollment in this class is based on an IEP team recommendation, and the course focus is based on the student's individual needs (accommodations, modifications, and identified goals) agreed to by the IEP team.

Prerequisite: Recommendation from IEP Team


PRACTICAL LIFE SKILLS

Grade: 9-12   I   Term: Yearlong   |   Level: General Elective Only   I UC/ CSU requirement N/A

Practical Life Skills is a special education class, consisting of specialized academic instruction, focused on teaching essential independent living skills, community safety skills, and the ability to make healthy life choices. Course topics include personal interests, inventories, finding the right job, keeping a job, safety and problem solving in the workplace, health and safety, self-advocacy skills, interpersonal relationships, time management, and community resource exploration. Enrollment in this class is based on an IEP team recommendation, and the course focus is based on the student's individual needs (accommodations, modifications, and identified goals) agreed to by the IEP team.

Prerequisite: Recommendation from IEP Team
 


Functional World History

Term: Yearlong  |   Level: High School Credit

Functional World History is a special education class consisting of specialized academic instruction around historical events and/or periods and any effect that the event or period has on life today.  Students will be exposed  to key physical landforms and human constructions of the past.  Students will have the opportunity to make connections and recognize examples of conflict situations and strategies to resolve disagreements.  Students will explore issues of modern times and the implications that these may have in the world they live in today and for future generations.

Content in this area is designed to assist students in the required knowledge for post-secondary living or community participation as a contributing member of society.  The application of this course will function to  provide students with real-world vocational skills.

Prerequisite: Recommendation from IEP Team (Enrollment limited to students who qualify for Special Education Support Services)

 


TRANSITION SKILLS

Term: Yearlong  |   Level: High School Credit

The Transition Skills course is a special education class, consisting of specialized academic instruction. Course topics include Community, Daily Life, Personal Life and Vocational. Students will learn the skills necessary to live as independently as possible, and prepare for coursework at the adult transition program. Enrollment in this class is based on a student’s IEP team decision that this class is appropriate. The curricular focus is based on the student’s individual needs (accommodations/modifications and identified goals) agreed to by the IEP team.

Prerequisite: Recommendation from IEP Team

 


VOCATIONAL SKILLS

Term: Yearlong  |   Level: High School Credit

The Vocational Skills course is a special education class, consisting of specialized academic instruction. Students enrolled in Vocational Skills develop job readiness skills. Students participate in on-campus and off-campus Job Development. Prior on-campus job development opportunities include recycling, cafeteria, copy room and coffee/tea cart. Prior off-campus job development opportunities have included local restaurants and grocery stores. Enrollment in this class is based on a student’s IEP team decision that this class is appropriate. The curricular focus is based on the student’s individual needs (accommodations/modifications and identified goals) agreed to by the IEP team.

Prerequisite: Recommendation from IEP Team

 


FUNCTIONAL ENGLISH

Term: Yearlong  |   Level: High School Credit

The Functional English course is a special education class, consisting of specialized academic instruction, focused on functional forms of reading and writing. Students will learn how to write letters, weekly goals, record information in their planner. Students will be able to read articles and answer WH questions. Enrollment in this class is based on a student’s IEP team decision that this class is appropriate. The curricular focus is based on the student’s individual needs (accommodations/modifications and identified goals) agreed to by the IEP team.

Prerequisite: Recommendation from IEP Team

 


FUNCTIONAL MATH

Term: Yearlong  |   Level: High School Credit

The Functional Math course is a special education class, consisting of specialized academic instruction, focused on math skills used in daily living. Sample topics include creating a balanced budget, reading and recording receipts, determining the “Next Dollar Up” for an item cost, learning how to tell time, and calculating elapsed time. The curricular focus is based on the student’s individual needs (accommodations/modifications and identified goals) agreed to by the IEP team.

Prerequisite: Recommendation from IEP Team

 


FUNCTIONAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Term: Yearlong  |   Level: High School Credit

The Communication Skills course is a special education class, consisting of specialized academic instruction, focused on helping students develop the skills necessary to start and maintain social connections with peers and adults at school and in the community. Course topics include emotions, “Social Thinking” and the “Zones of Regulation” which involves recognizing how students are feeling, and how the people around them are feeling. Enrollment in this class is based on a student’s IEP team decision that this class is appropriate. The curricular focus is based on the student’s individual needs (accommodations/modifications and identified goals) agreed to by the IEP team.

Prerequisite: Recommendation from IEP Team

 


FUNCTIONAL LIFE SKILLS

Term: Yearlong  |   Level: High School Credit

The Life Skills course is a special education class, consisting of specialized academic instruction. The Life Skills course helps students develop skills necessary to become as independent as possible, based on their own unique needs. Students will learn skills associated with shopping in the community, staying within a budget, cooking, hygiene and community safety. Enrollment in this class is based on a student’s IEP team decision that this class is appropriate. The curricular focus is based on the student’s individual needs (accommodations/modifications and identified goals) agreed to by the IEP team.

Prerequisite: Recommendation from IEP Team

 


FUNCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY

Term: Yearlong  |   Level: High School Credit

The Functional Technology course is a special education class, consisting of specialized academic instruction. Students will learn how to safely access technology and the internet. Course topics include writing and sending emails, using Google Maps to plan trips, using the internet to research desired topics / careers, and practicing keyboarding skills. Enrollment in this class is based on a student’s IEP team decision that this class is appropriate. The curricular focus is based on the student’s individual needs (accommodations/modifications and identified goals) agreed to by the IEP team.

Prerequisite: Recommendation from IEP Team


Functional Vocational Skills

Grade: 11-12   I   Term: Yearlong   |   Level: General Elective Only   I UC/ CSU requirement N/A

Course focuses on providing students with a curriculum that will help them obtain job skills that they can use in their future and add to their resume.