Curriculum Accommodation Plan

DISTRICT CURRICULUM ACCOMMODATION PLAN (DCAP)

District Curriculum Accommodation Plan, Ch 71, Section 38 Q½ (DCAP)

A school district shall adopt and implement a Curriculum Accommodation Plan to assist principals in ensuring that all efforts have been made to meet students’ needs in regular education. The plan shall be designed to assist the regular classroom teacher in analyzing and accommodating diverse learning styles of all children in the regular classroom and in providing appropriate services and support within the regular program including, but limited to, direct and systematic instruction in reading and provision of services to address the needs of children whose behavior may interfere with learning, or who do not qualify for special education services under chapter 71B. The curriculum accommodation plan shall include provisions encouraging teacher mentoring and collaboration and parental involvement.

School Councils and District Accommodation Plan, Ch 71 Section 59C

The school council, including the school principal, shall meet regularly and shall assist in the identification of the educational needs of all students attending the school, shall make recommendations to the principal for the development, implementation and assessment of the Curriculum Accommodation Plan required pursuant to Section 38Q1/2.

Purpose

School districts are required to implement a District Curriculum Accommodation Plan (DCAP) to help ensure efforts have been made to meet the needs of students in general education and avoid unnecessary referrals to special education. The DCAP provides an accounting of resources and accommodations available to all students and classroom teachers and encompasses the following:

  • Analysis and accommodations of diverse learning styles in the general education classroom;
  • Provision of appropriate services and supports within the general education classroom;
  • Support services that address the needs of students with disruptive behavior;
  • Encouragement of parental involvement in their children’s education;
  • Encouragement of teacher collaboration and effective planning;
  • Assistance to general education staff through research-based professional development and effective mentoring program.

Northbridge Public School District is committed to the high expectations and active engagement of all learners. The DCAP documents the ways educators in Northbridge Public Schools work to meet the needs of our students. Accommodations may include, but are not limited to: modified materials, targeted assessments, instructional strategies, and support services. These accommodations shape the way instruction is delivered to the student but does not change or modify the content of the concepts taught to students.  

The following accommodations are available for all students in the Northbridge Public Schools to provide equal access to the general education curriculum program:

I.    Student Resources

Curriculum/Instruction/Assessment:

  • Standards-based instruction
  • Small group instruction
  • Cooperative learning strategies
  • Repeat or re-teach concepts with different approach
  • Differentiate instruction and assignments
  • Provide preferential seating
  • Teach study skills and note-taking
  • Utilize technology and computer assisted instruction
  • Utilize graphic organizers
  • Provide manipulatives
  • Break down tasks/assignments into manageable steps
  • Provide students with study guides
  • Provide project organizers/checklists to break down larger/longer projects
  • Provide students with models and exemplars
  • Real-world applications
  • Hands-on learning opportunities
  • Frequent checks for understanding
  • Multiple opportunities for students to discuss their learning/thinking
  • Appropriate use of “wait time”
  • Variety of assessments (summative and formative)
  • Common assessments across grade levels/subject areas
  • Extended time on assessments
  • Rubrics and clear learning expectations
  • Access to technology for word processing

Organizational Strategies:

  • Posted standards-based objectives with learning targets and success criteria
  • Flexible grouping methods
  • Frequent check-ins
  • Various graphic organizers
  • Agenda/student planner support
  • Study guides/structured notes
  • Social/Emotional and Behavioral Strategies:
  • Clear rules and logical consequences (posted)
  • Strategic seating plans/accommodated seating
  • Student contracts or individual behavior plans
  • Open and ongoing communication with parents to support in-class strategies
  • Movement breaks
  • Careful and thoughtful student placement processes
  • Adjustment/guidance counselor support
  • Well managed transitions between classes
  • PBIS (Positive Behavioral Intervention Supports)
  • Support through counseling staff, psychologists, nurses and other support staff
  • Structured behavior and/or support plans
  • Social emotional learning programs in general education (Advisory, Game Change, Second Step, etc.)
  • Anti-bullying training and processes

II.  Teacher Resources

  • Building-based instructional coaches
  • District Mentoring Program
  • Professional Learning Communities
  • Common Planning Time
  • Building and district data teams
  • Early Intervention Team
  • Student Support Team
  • Ongoing professional development activities (in and out of district)
  • Opportunities to take graduate courses reimbursed by district
  • Collaboration with support staff
  • Learning Walk participation opportunities
  • Continued curriculum support (updated and revised pacing guides and other supports)
  • Updated standards-based curriculum materials
  • Effective supervision and evaluation processes

III.   Parental and Community involvement

  • Variety of parent groups including: Parent Teacher Associations, Title 1, Parent Advisory Council, Special Education Parent Advisory Council, School Councils, Booster Clubs
  • Partnerships with Alternatives, Inc. in schools to foster relationships with the community
  • Family Continuity Services is a local mental health care provider who provides direct counseling to students in school who would not be able to access services otherwise
  • Northbridge Education Foundation provides grant funding for innovative academic programming that engages learners
  • The Northbridge Coalition is an organization consisting of parents, students, educators, professionals, representatives of town departments, and people of faith to identify and develop strategies and resources for areas of critical concern within the Northbridge community.