Student Support Plan for Learning Difficulties

In general terms, a Student Support Plan is developed when a student experiences persistent learning difficulties and requires specific strategies to address those difficulties or when a student needs enrichment. In more specific terms, the Student Support Plan documents one of four alternatives.

1. Regular Education Program with Accommodations/Adaptations for Learning Difficulty (K-12)

A student following the Regular Education Program may be close to achieving the learning outcomes of the NWT curricula at grade level but, because of certain needs or challenges, is at risk of not achieving that goal. For such a student the teacher puts in place individual accommodations/adaptations to assist the student to achieve the learning outcomes. These accommodations/adaptations may be necessary for some or all subjects or for general skills.

2. Regular Education Program with Accommodations/Extensions for Enrichment (K-12)

A student who exhibits abilities and capabilities beyond their age peers in one or more subject areas may achieve the learning outcomes at their grade level with ease. For such a student the teacher offers more challenge through enrichment strategies (see appendix). These strategies foster and develop higher order thinking skills, creativity and problem solving, adding breadth and depth to the learning experiences at the student’s grade level.

3. Modified Education Program – Student Working Below Grade Level (Grades 1 through 9)

A student who is attempting to achieve the learning outcomes of the Regular Education Program may be unable to do so even with differentiated instruction and/or a variety of accommodations/adaptations. For such a student the teacher targets the subject areas of most concern and has the student work on learning outcomes at a level below grade placement and closer to his/her performance level. The student will likely also require accommodations/adaptations to meet the learning outcomes at this level.

4. Modified Education Program – Student Working Above Grade Level

A student who demonstrates exceptional abilities in one or more subject areas may achieve the learning outcomes of the Regular Education Program more rapidly than other classmates and be able to handle learning outcomes of a higher grade level. It is strongly recommended that before considering subject or grade acceleration, the teacher offer the student many opportunities for enrichment of the curricular outcomes at grade level as in #2 above.