Goal Statement

• To better prepare students with emotional, social and behavioral challenges who are in alternative school settings to re-enter the public school system and have the opportunity to graduate.

Policy/Program Options

I. Becoming New York State Certified in grades K-12

• A New York State Regents approved curriculum should be implemented at the House of the Good Shepherd. The school is currently certified in grades K-8 but they need to become certified in 9-12. With an improved curriculum, students will have a smoother transition back to the public system. It will also give students returning to the public schools a better chance to graduate.

II. Attracting Certified Science Teachers

• Two years ago the Tilton School was audited for not having any certified Science Teachers. It is very difficult for places like the Tilton School to attract certified science teachers because of this demand in the public schools. The public schools are able to pay off science teachers loans, and teachers in New York State will be on the New York State Education Retirement program. The Tilton School needs to find ways to give certified teachers the same features that are found in the public schools. With a new governor in New York State this may be an excellent opportunity to achieve the funding to do this.

Implement an Interactive Science Curriculum

• On 4/22/07, the Tilton School first began to implement a new science curriculum^[1]. In order to for this curriculum to succeed, it must incorporate many interactive science demos while introducing the students to regents questions and it's format. The following site is great for preparing students for the New York State regents exams. http://regentsprep.org/ The site was created by the Oswego City School District.
• These web sites contain interactive demos to help teachers prepare and demonstrate concepts to their class:
  • Teacher Preparation for Science [1]
  • Interactive Demos in Physics [2]
  • Physics in Amusement Parks:[3]
  • Chemistry Comes Alive- these are video taped experiments: [4]
  • Interactive Earth Science Websites: [5]
  • Interactive Biology: [6]
• The Tilton School also needs to take advantage of the resources at the local colleges. The Tilton School should reach out to the resources and minds of Utica and Hamilton College. Through out the academic year Hamilton College has programs where the professors teach local students about science, through interactive demos. These connections at the local colleges will strengthen the science program at the Tilton School.

III. An Emphasis on Positive Student Interactions

• The Therapeutic Crisis Intervention System by Cornell University is a great system to prevent crises in residential care facilities like the House of the Good Shepherd. The Tilton School needs to keep this system in place; however the students at the House of the Good Shepherd need to learn how to interact with their teachers and their peers. Public Schools will not have patience for students that act out at their teachers or other students. One way to teach students how to behave is through Arnold Goldstein's Aggression Replacement psycho-educational approach. One of the main things keeping these students out of the public schools is their severe emotional disabilities. Implementing this model on top of the point system for good behavior, which is already in place, will help the students return to the public school system.

Grouped in Planning Tree

• I. Becoming New York State Certified in grades K-12
• The Tilton school is currently certified in grades K-8
• Certification in grades K-12 will allow students to receive regents credit, which will benefit them when they return to the public schools.
• II. Attracting Certified Science Teachers
• With a shortage of certified science teachers the Tilton School must kind creative ways to attract science teachers to their school.
• A. Implementing an Interactive Science Curriculum
• In order to create a successful science curriculum it must be interactive while introducing the students to the key concepts found on the regents.
• Interactive demos and contact with local colleges will help to achieve this goal.
• III. Positive Student Interactions
• Keep the Therapeutic Crisis Intervention System by Cornell University in place
• Instate Arnold Goldstein's Aggression Model 

Issue Briefs (local, state, national, global)

• Transitioning Children with Emotional, Social and Behavioral Challenges into Public Schools - USA 

Glossary of Terms

• Therapeutic Crisis Intervention System by Cornell University- asystem to prevent crises in residential care facilities
• New York State Regents Exams- standarized tests that are adminsterd by New York State. Passing the regents for most courses is required for graduation.
• Goldstein's Aggression Replacement psycho-educational approach- It targets relationships, skills, empowerment, and spiritual growth.^[2] Through positive behavior supports the student will to have positive interactions among their peers and students.

Footnotes