The Special Needs Division at GIS emphasizes cooperative effort between parents and teachers, to identify and address academic problems before they begin. We encourage parents and students to inform teachers early if they anticipate problems or have information that might help a teacher understand why the student may experience difficulty. In response, teachers work with the Special Needs Division to implement strategies that serve students who are struggling academically.
Accommodations and Modifications
As a first step to addressing any need, the teacher, parent and student (as appropriate) should discuss their concerns together and agree on new strategies to try. Most commonly, teachers can make adjustments to cope with physical problems such as eyesight, hearing, or fine motor coordination. The Special Needs Department staff may be consulted to suggesting ways to help the student in the classroom setting and, if required, may create a Grace Accommodation Plan (GAP) for the student.
Grace Accommodation Plan
Many of the students served by the Special Needs Department have a Grace Accommodation Plan (GAP) to communicate their needs to the classroom teacher. This plan enables our staff to utilize the best methods of accommodating and modifying curriculum within the mainstream or resource classroom.
Staff Conference
If a student is not succeeding, teachers or parents can request a Student Success Team (SST) meeting, in which student, teachers and parents meet with an SND rep, principal, and other school specialists or counselor to analyze the problem and commit to specific actions to help the student. They devise a written plan of action and follow-up date, commonly after 20 days. An SST may be requested by a teacher, parent, principal, or a secondary student by submitting an SST Request form to the SND office.
Available Services
Depending on available personnel, special education services may include:
- Grace Accommodation Plan (GAP) documentation.
- In-class support by SND staff as needed
- Resource Classes taught by SND staff (for secondary students)
- Independent Study Classes (for high school students)
- Weekly and/or Quarterly Reports sent to parents as needed
- Academic assessments and diagnostic testing
For more information, contact specialneeds@gisthailand.org
