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Academics
Visit
the school to assess its atmosphere, both inside and outside the
classroom. Would it appeal to your child? Take note of what the students
are doing. Does everyone appear to be participating in activities that are
age-appropriate? Ask yourself if your child’s functioning level is similar
to the other students you see.
Find out how much of your child’s day will be spent in the classroom. What
courses are available? What is the student to teacher ratio?
For students of high school age, are degrees available upon completion of
the program, and if so, what type? Will your child have opportunities for
vocational training? Does the school contract with local business for work
placement of its students?
The school should hold periodic parent/staff conferences to keep you
abreast of your child’s progress. Be sure to ask how often these
conferences will be held. If your child’s IEP requires counseling, speech
therapy, physical therapy, etc., when and where will these be provided and
by whom (are they qualified service providers?).
If the school is a residential facility, is it open 365 days per year? If
not, what provisions are made for families who need assistance during
summer and vacations? If you are looking into a day program, check to see
if summer sessions are available. Many parents find this extra
instructional time to be beneficial to their child.
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Staff
Qualified
and caring staff members should be a top priority when choosing a school
for your child. While visiting the facility, do you feel the staff
promotes a positive and open atmosphere? Are they working appropriately
with the students? Are both the staff and students enthused and actively
involved in the learning process? If the school is a residential facility,
are there staff members awake throughout the night to monitor activity and
handle problems?
Talk to as many of the employees as possible to get a feel for the type of
people they are. Find out the central philosophy behind the methods the
school uses, and if all staff members can explain and support it.
Before you enroll your child, try to arrange a meeting with the executive
director of the school. Ask for his/her degree qualifications, the
qualifications and purpose of the school’s Board of Directors, and the
degree qualifications of the staff, both educational and residential, if
applicable. Make sure they are appropriately trained and experienced
professionals. Obtain the name of the person whom you should contact with
questions and concerns you may have if your child does attend the school.
Ask the executive director if the school is licensed, accredited, or
approved by the State. Is the school affiliated with a professional
organization, and what is the criteria for membership? Does the
organization have an accreditation or certification process?
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Building Safety & Living Arrangements
Pay close attention to the physical appearance of the facility. Is it
neat, clean, safe, and in good condition? If it is a residential facility,
what are the living arrangements? Are the rooms large enough to
accommodate its residents? Does it adhere to the local fire codes? Does it
have fire escapes? Is it equipped with appropriate alarms for children who
are visually and/or hearing impaired?
You will also want to find out what your child can bring for his/her room,
i.e., TV, VCR, radio, etc. Ask if there are provisions for storing
personal belongings in the students' rooms.
Find out what responsibilities your child will have in terms of cooking,
cleaning, etc. Will he/she participate in any of these activities, and if
so, who will be supervising?
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Healthcare
Make sure the school provides proper health care
for its students. Is a health care professional on staff 24 hours per day?
What are his/her qualifications? How close is the nearest hospital? If
your child takes medication, will a physician affiliated with the school
monitor the dosages?
Make sure the school has a policy on contagious diseases and that it
covers AIDS and Hepatitis B.
Does the school provide individual and family counseling for those who
desire it? How often does counseling occur? What are the therapist’s
qualifications?
Check out the school’s policy on personal hygiene. If your child requires
assistance with feeding, washing, or dressing will someone be available to
help him/her? Who will this person be?
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Visitation, Vacations, &
Community Involvement
Starting at a new school, especially a
residential facility, can be an intimidating experience for a child.
You’ll need to find how long the school suggests he/she wait before making
or receiving phone calls or going home. Ask if the child is afforded
privacy when making calls and how many phones are available for students’
use.
Obtain a copy of the school calendar. Note the number of holidays and
breaks the school has. Is transportation provided to the child’s home for
these breaks and weekends? If your child will be attending a facility far
from home, you will need to check the availability of public
transportation for home visits. Also, will your child have the chance to
become involved with the community through team sports, holiday
celebrations, or organizations?
It is important to check out the school’s policy on visitors. Can anyone
come to see your child or only immediate family members? How does the
school feel about your child’s leaving the school grounds, both with and
without supervision? What sort of field trips does the school make, how
often do they occur, and what form of transportation is used?
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Meals
The school should provide nutritious and
balanced meals for its students. Ask to see a menu, and if possible, eat a
meal at the school. What are the polices on junk food and care packages?
Will the school provide specialized menus for children who need to avoid
certain foods? Does the school contract out its plan or prepare meals at
its facility? If it does cook its own meals, ask if students have a chance
to help with the food preparation. Are meals served to the students
cafeteria style or family style?
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Discipline and Supervision
Find out about the school’s discipline policy. Is it in writing? Ask to
have a copy. If the school uses behavior modification, what type of
punishments and rewards are used and are they flexible?
What type of supervision will your child have while on the school
premises? Will he/she receive round-the-clock supervision?
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Conclusion
It is a good idea to include your child in
as much of the placement decision making process as you can. This will
help him/her feel more comfortable with the choice that is made.
Talk to an educational advocate about the facility, your child’s rights,
and ask to be made familiar with documents, IEPs, etc. Confer with your
State Departments of Education and Children and Family Services and other
agencies that may be able to provide input on appropriate placement.
One of the most important factors in finding the right school is the trust
and comfort level between the parents and the school staff. The more the
parents and school believe in each other and are working toward the same
goals, the better the child’s chance of success.
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Additional information on NAPSEC
Email: napsec@aol.com
Web Site: www.napsec.org
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