Program Description
The Alternative Learning Program (ALP) is a regional program available to
students whose educational handicap is developmental delay, autism, or
multi-handicapped. Students who exhibit extreme behaviors due to other
impairments can be provided with a structured environment necessary to address
noncompliant behaviors. The goal of the Alternative Learning Program is to
provide students with functional academics, develop or increase self-help
skills, a way to develop age-appropriate social skills, and resiliency that
allows them to make positive choices. These skills, once acquired and
practiced, will assist students in their successful integration into the
larger school community.
Criteria
Any student being referred for placement in the Alternative Learning Program
(ALP) needs have an up-to-date battery of tests. This battery of assessments
needs to include: an individual measure of intellectual functioning, either
the WISC-III or Stanford Binet; measures of academic achievement; and at least
one projective measure of psychosocial development. Other assessments such as
health, neurological and psychiatric evaluations administered by certified
doctors are also taken into consideration to determine the appropriateness of
a placement and the plan for services. A decision is made based on the
evidence from testing and previous school performance. All diagnostic,
assessment procedures and placements reflect and are in compliance with the
New Hampshire State Standards for Educationally Handicapped Students.
Ongoing and consistent parent participation is a crucial component for a
student to be afforded the opportunity for school success. Given the intensity
of case management there is a lot of communication daily and/or weekly with
parents/guardians. The Alternative Learning Program presents a “Team
Approach” when working with families. In order to achieve this goal, parents
will be asked (required) to attend regularly scheduled meetings to address the
following:
§ Student’s progress
§ Parent input so that appropriate programming can be developed
§ Most importantly to give the message to the young person that we are a
unified team working toward the success of his or her return to their sending
district
For more information or to see if there is an opening, please contact:
Director: Ms. Jeanne Loughan, M.Ed.
436-5781, ext. 270