Who are Student Support Specialists?
Student Support Specialists are highly qualified professionals assigned to the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Secondary Instructional Services to ensure the effective and efficient transition of students between alternative education programs/centers and home schools. In addition they work collaboratively with the members of the Student Support Team in each secondary school to determine appropriate interventions for students identified as being at-risk. Student Support Specialists facilitate the Choices after school discipline program and provide informational sessions to parents. (Information on the Choices program is also provided on this Web site.) Each secondary school receives services from a Student Support Specialist.
How is a student referred to the Student Support Specialists?
All students transitioning from the Virginia Beach City Public Schools’ alternative education centers and programs are referred to the Student Support Specialists. Students may also be referred to a Student Support Specialist by the Student Support Team at their home school.
What are the curriculum and services offered by the Student Support Specialists?
Student Support Specialists provide information and support to encourage students to make appropriate decisions and understand the consequences of all choices. Specialists address issues relating to academics, attendance, and behavior. No specific curriculum covers each of these issues; therefore, Student Support Specialists are trained in The Mandt System® Behavioral Support for Students At-risk, Life Space Crisis Intervention, Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR), Ruby Payne’s A Framework for Understanding Poverty, Second Step, Reconnecting Youth, and Developmental Assets and attend national and local training designed to help them effectively meet the needs of the students with whom they work.
When do students exit the program?
Students are released from direct supervision from the Student Support Specialist when they demonstrate improvements in attendance, academic performance, and behavior and receive positive feedback from parents and staff.
Whom can I contact for additional information about Student Support Specialists?
Alternative Education Coordinator: Sharon Gray
E-mail: sharon.gray@vbschools.com
2512 George Mason Drive
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23456
Telephone: 757.263.1449
Fax: 757.263.1424
Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Mon. - Fri.
 |
|
|
Last Modified on Wednesday, January 31, 2007 Disclaimer • Site Map |
  |