ACCESS PROGRAM

In order to prevent students from leaving school prior to graduation, the Nauset Regional School District initiated a specific program designed to meet the needs of students who might otherwise not complete high school.  This program began in 2001 and is entitled the “Access” program. 

There are numerous reasons why students may decide to not complete high school.  They are wide and varied and may include: unsuitable courses, family dissolution, drug/alcohol involvement, not “fitting in” and various other reasons.  Regardless of the reasons, students who leave will forever be at a disadvantage.  They may believe that education is a source of failure, rejection, anxiety and isolation.  They will be at a significant disadvantage in employment and life. 

The goal of the program is to provide students with a program that fits the needs of these students.  The course of student offers a more practical approach that appeals to these students.  The courses are designed to prepare students for the world of work following high school.  However, it should be noted, that some students will elect to go onto college and the program does adequately prepare them for this as well.

The program also incorporates employment.  The students are required to work at least 25 hours each week.  This gives students a sense of accomplishment, ensures that they have a positive environment during the day, and are exposed to employer mentors.  The school component takes place during the early evening.  This allows students to both work and attend school.  The employment is structured and may be for pay or not.  An employment internship in which the student works in an environment in which a specific trade or career is learned is encouraged.  The school component includes: business and practical mathematics, U.S. History, Science, English with an emphasis on writing and communication skills, civics, psychology and specific preparation for the MCAS examination.  Some students elect to include in their Senior Year attendance at Cape Cod Community College in the Diploma Plus program, which allows students to receive college and high school credit during their senior year. 

Parental and employer involvement and reinforcement and encouragement are key components of this program.  Students will be placed in sections determined by their academic ability and the instruction and assessment is varied allowing students to move ahead at a pace that is matched to their ability and progress.  Students are monitored and achievement is reported to the parents and the student.  Attendance is a vital element and student may not miss class.  Student attendance is closely monitored to ensure that the student is successful.

SELECTION METHOD: a member of the staff will nominate Students for this program.  The student must be at lease 16 years of age and have transportation to and from their work sites and to the classes.  The student must also have a suitable job or internship arranged.  Students will be placed in a level that matches their academic ability.  Students who are placed in this program usually have one or more of the following areas of concern:

       -Poor academic record
       -Non-promotion to the next grade
       -Failure to graduate on time
       -Disciplinary issues
       -Drug/alcohol involvement
       -Significant personal, psychological, or related issues
       -Home or family issues
       -Significant personal or family financial issues.

PROGRAM RULES:

1. Students may not miss class. A missed class must be made up.  The make up class is held on the next Saturday.
2. Approved employment or internship is mandatory.  A minimum of 25 hours per week is required.  Additional hours are highly encouraged.
3. All grades will be reported each quarter.  There will be contact if the student is doing less than satisfactory work.
4. The regular discipline code of the school is in force.  This appears in the regular student handbook. 

ACADEMIC PROGRAM: 

1. Individual plan for each student.
2. Subjects to include: Mathematics, English, U.S. History, and Civics.
3. Grading based on attendance, oral communication, written assignments, class work and examinations
4. Parents notified of grades
5. Employment attendance and employers “report card” will be reflected in the grade for “work study”
6. Counseling will be included for those students who have issues that could benefit from this type of service
7. Classes meet at 5:30 p.m.
8. Graduation is the same number of requirements as the regular school (26 overall credits, 4 English, U.S. History and 2 other social studies, 2 math, 2 science, physical education is waived but health will be included in the program).

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:

1. English will be taught in two groups with one group consisting of students who need to complete English for grades 9 & 10 and then another English with several levels for grades 11 & 12.
2. Mathematics will be taught at a wide variety of levels depending on the ability and interest of the students.  Some may concentrate on MCAS preparation and the rest will go from the basics to the more advanced courses, including Algebra II and Pre-Calculus.
3. U.S. History is taught to give the students an understanding of our country and its rich history.
4. Civics is taught to give students an understanding of how our towns, state and federal governments function.
5. Science is taught to prepare students to understand the impact that this areas has on our daily lives and the need to understand the basic operations of the physical world.
6. Psychology is taught as an elective to help students understand how our mind and personalities function.
7. Work-study is an integral part of this program.  This helps students develop positive work and life skills.  This will prepare students for the world of the working adult once they achieve graduation.  Students work during the day and attend classes at night.  This carries over into the summer as well.  We feel that this continuity is necessary is order to keep students productively engaged.  We have also offered a summer academic program to parallel the program during the regular school year with courses offered at night.  We feel that for student to develop the necessary life skills and habits that will ensure later success it is necessary for them to be engaged in a productive and suitable work or internship experience in the summer.  It is also necessary to maintain a positive relationship with our community of employers that we have this continuity with summer employment.  This ensures a positive and productive relationship for our employers who serve as mentors to our students.

CONCLUSION:  Students who enroll in this program are considered as part of the regular student population.  They are entitled to attend all events of the school including participation in graduation.  Students are bound by the regular student code of conduct and rules as printed in the student handbook.  They have a specific program that is uniquely suited to meet their needs.  The commitment of the entire staff to this program as well as the parents helps ensure that these students will be successful and achieve graduation.