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The American International School of Muscat P.O. Box 584 Telephone: +968 24 595 180 Azaiba Postal Code 130 Fax: +968 24 503 815 Sultanate of Oman e-mail: taism@omantel.net.om
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Mission Statement & Core Beliefs Employment Opportunities International Recognition of AP Why
AP at TAISM? Activities School
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school Activities Communication Publications and Press Releases Personnel Sponsorship |
Special Needs
Belief Statement: It is our belief that each child is a unique individual. We recognize that some children have needs that require special attention. Such children require “some degree of modification in their educational programs because of intellectual, emotional, sensory or physical impairments.” (Nancy Cloud: ERIC ED303044)
Special needs may also arise due to deficiencies resulting from a child’s
previous schooling experience or limited English language proficiency.
School Policy: By policy “The school shall offer special needs support for students identified as having learning difficulties as long as adequate resources are available. Special needs services may include small group or individual assistance, evaluation reports, and the development of student learning plans.” (TAISM Policy Manual 6.302)
Special Needs Support: TAISM’s support for students with special needs includes both program modification and the intervention of the school’s Program Support Team of professionals including: school counselor, special education teacher, learning support teacher, English language teacher, selected core subject teachers or elementary classroom teacher, and the school nurse. As necessary and when available, this team also draws on the expertise of community resources i.e., speech and language pathologist.
It is the intent of TAISM to admit and reenroll students having special needs when the school is reasonably assured of parent support and the availability of adequate human, physical and financial resources to meet the students’ needs. In addition, parent support is essential for the success of the student. Such decisions are made by the school principals following an academic screening assessment, a review of the child’s school records (report cards, individual educational plans, teacher recommendations, medical records, etc.). These assessment procedures may include a personal interview, as well as input from the student’s prospective teacher(s), Program Support Team and the School Director. Ultimately, a final decision on the admission of a special needs student must be confirmed by the Director.
TAISM purposely maintains a relatively low student to teacher ratio in order to meet the individual needs of all students. It is expected that students’ needs can be addressed by regular classroom teachers through selection and implementation of the most appropriate instructional strategies. Students’ needs may be met by differentiating instruction, curricular modifications, extension of the graduation timeline and/or the intervention of a member or members of the Program Support Team. Special needs students will be reassessed during grades 5, 8, and 10 in order to determine their readiness and likelihood of success prior to advancement. Students whose needs cannot be met at the next levels may be denied continued enrollment, delayed enrollment, required to repeat a grade, required to undertake summer study, tutoring, counseling, etc., advised to find alternative educational programs not available at TAISM.