Educational Support Services (ESS)

Purpose

Westwood Christian School's Education Support Services (ESS) is a resource program designed to provide specific, directed, individualized, intensive and remedial instruction for students who are struggling in a regular classroom setting and who could benefit from small group instruction. Students may or may not have been diagnosed with a specific learning disability, attention deficit disorder, or another mild disability. The program also provides limited services to new students who might need some extra help adjusting to a new curriculum. Services are provided for students enrolled in 1^st through 5^th grades.

Goals

The primary goals of ESS are to remediate students' deficit areas and equip students with the skills they need to participate in a regular classroom setting on a full-time basis.

Testing & Placement Procedures

A student may be referred to the program by a classroom teacher or a parent. After a student is referred, the ESS director reviews the student's academic history and meets with the student's teacher and parents to determine how to help the student. The student will then enter into the intervention phase of the process. During this time, the student receives extra assistance from the classroom teacher, parents, ESS staff, or other outside sources. If, after a set period of time the student's academic performance improves, the student will not be referred for further testing. However, if the student's performance does not improve, it is suggested that the student be referred for a complete battery of tests to determine whether the student has a disability. A licensed psychologist through the county school system or a private licensed psychologist chosen by the parents may administer this battery of tests. After testing is complete, the evaluation will be reviewed by the ESS director and will be used to help determine how to meet the student's needs. Each student will be re-evaluated on a yearly basis for future placement.

Services

ESS is currently available in the elementary school. The program provides individualized and small group instruction for students in the academic areas of language arts and math. Diagnostic tests are used to help determine each student's ability level, and the students will be grouped accordingly. A variety of research based techniques are then used to help strengthen student's weaknesses and improve academic performance. An Individualized Accommodation Plan (IAP) is also developed for students who have been diagnosed with specific learning disabilities and is designed to help students continue learning in the regular classroom environment. Grades will be issued through the child's regular classroom teacher even while receiving services in the ESS classroom. Services will continue throughout the year based on the student's performance, assessments, and effort. Each child will need to show a willingness to learn, participate and grow through the ESS services or they will be removed from the program.

Fees

Costs for the ESS program are based on the number of days students receive services. Absences will be made up as time permits. An additional fee may be charged for individual sessions or testing services.  An additional $50 charge will be added annually for any student who receives an Individualized Accommodation Plan due to a specific learning disability.                   

Service Level	Fee Per Semester
Level 1 (Two 30-minute sessions per week)	$350
Level 2 (Three 30-minute sessions per week)	$500
Level 3 (Daily 30-minute sessions per week)	$750