Student Support Services

Students who are identified through a comprehensive assessment process (usually a psycho-educational assessment) as having learning differences, including gifted students, are eligible for an Individual Learning Plan or ILP. An ILP is an academic and/or behavioral plan that outlines the suggested support services for the student and states specific learning goals for the student. The ILP includes information on a student’s unique learning profile, identifies the needed accommodations and modifications to the curriculum, instruction and the classroom environment that would assist the student in meeting his/her potential. The ILP is agreed to with all parties and updated annually.

The Student Support Team provides support using a variety of methods to meet the learning needs of students such as:

• Cooperative Consultation – Student Support teachers work in collaboration with the classroom teacher to plan for differentiated instruction to help meet the range of learning needs and styles in the classroom.
• Supportive teaching (inclusion) – Student Support teachers work with students with an Individual Learning Plan in the classroom (approximately 2 hours per week) allowing them full access to the curriculum while limiting disruption to their daily schedule.
• Homework assistance – This may be suggested for students who need help with organizational skills, time management, and help with prioritizing assignments.
• Learning Resource Centre - Limited (approximately 2 -3 hours per week) small group instruction on specific skills in the Learning Resource Centre for students with an Individual Learning Plan.
• Early Intervention/ Intervention groups – Based on grade level/ classroom needs and the availability of resources, we also may provide intervention in small groups to students who are deemed at-risk or who are performing more than one year below grade level.
• Enrichment – Small group sessions may be provided for students identified as gifted and talented and/or those working multiple years above grade level. 

Student Support Staff Is Also Available to Provide:

• Support for parents on how to deal with children experiencing academic or behavioral difficulties.
• Links between parents and outside agencies offering additional therapies, evaluations or other needed support.

This process consists of:

• A classroom/subject teacher may refer a student to the Student Support Team if the student exhibits difficulty, or if his/her skills and strengths are discrepant from grade level expectations.
• Individual screenings (developmental and/or behavioral) may be administered in order to gather data to assist teachers in developing a support plan including suggested teaching strategies and interventions.
• Occasionally the team may recommend the student have a full psycho-educational assessment administered by an outside professional. This assessment is to determine the student’s specific areas of academic or behavioral difficulty, and would be the financial responsibility of the parents.
• An Individualized Learning Plan (ILP) or  Student Intervention Plan may be developed, focusing on the student’s unique learning style, and identifying student goals and objectives. Parent and teacher input are essential in developing the ILP. Parents are asked to attend a meeting to review the plan, as their support is critical to student success.

The Student Support Services Department at ISPS provides support for students with a range of learning differences, including those with mild challenges and the highly capable. Applicants with identified learning differences will be reviewed to determine the appropriateness of admission based on the ability of the school to meet the learning needs of the student with the resources we have available. The application for any student with a history of  learning differences must include all relevant and current reports including, but not limited to, psycho-educational reports, speech language reports, occupational therapy reports,  special education plans, and any other anecdotal records available.

English is the primary language of instruction at ISPS in all grades. Students are not admitted to the school unless it is deemed that the English Language Learning (ELL) support we can provide is sufficient to enable them to experience success in the curriculum delivered.

English Language Learners’ (ELLs)  proficiency in English will be assessed using a combination of the WIDA Language Assessment Tool, standardized tests and teacher feedback. Incoming students should demonstrate a predetermined level of English language proficiency as follows:

In most cases, students will be fully immersed in general education classes with additional inclusive support in the classroom. In some instances, students will be pulled out for small group or individual sessions with support staff. If a student has no English background or they do not demonstrate appropriate proficiency, it may be necessary to seek private instruction, at the cost of the family, in order for a student to be successful.  The estimated cost of the tuition will also be communicated before the family arrives in the country.  The in-house entrance and language assessments will confirm whether additional tutoring will be necessary.