POSITIVE ALTERNATIVE TO TRADITIONAL
HIGH SCHOOL
(PATHS)
The PATHS Program
is designed to offer a small, positive, well-structured alternative
educational setting to working-age students at Thomaston High School.
Candidates for this program should be students who cannot adjust to
the structure of a typical high school and require a learning
environment that is more individualized, flexible, and free of
stress.
ELIGIBILITY FOR THE
PROGRAM:
Referrals for the PATHS
Program should come from either the Planning and Placement Team (PPT)
or the Student Assistance Team (SAT) at Thomaston High School.
Students referred to the PATHS Program must be working-aged
adolescents (i.e., 15 years or older) who need an academic program
that is intended to prepare them for successful transition to gainful
employment. Students who are offered admission to the PATHS Program
must exhibit chronic and persistent failure in traditional classroom
settings (due either to lack of work completion, behavior problems,
poor attendance, or all three). PATHS candidates should also b e
students who demonstrate through their words and actions that they
need a smaller, less formal, and more unconventional learning
environment.
CURRICULUM AND
INSTRUCTION:
The PATHS Program is
designed to award academic credits in quarter-credit increments.
Students receive credits based on two criteria: 1) Contact time and
2) Work completion. To receive full credit, students in PATHS can
miss no more than 4 scheduled days per quarter for any reason. In
addition, they must complete 80% of their assignments.
The curriculum for the
PATHS Program consists of functional/practical academics along with
activities that are pertinent to the worlds of work and community
living. Students in PATHS will receive English, Math, Science, and
Social Studies credits for participating in learning experiences and
completing assignments under the direction of certified content-area
teachers. All classes will also be co-taught with a special
education teacher to be sure that content and activities are
appropriately modified for individual learning needs.
The curriculum of the
PATHS Program will mirror the content of the general education
curriculum of Thomaston High School. In addition, the PATHS Program
will include goals and objectives in career exploration, job
acquisition, and job retention skills. These goals and objectives
will be embedded in the content of Math, English, Science, and Social
Studies classes.
BEHAVIORAL
EXPECTATIONS:
PATHS is not designed
to be a therapeutic program. Its behavior management system is,
therefore, very simple and direct.
Students will be
responsible for following three cardinal rules:
Come to school.
Complete your work
Be respectful to
yourself, others, and school property
Note that respect is an
all- encompassing concept that includes courtesy, conformity to basic
rules and expectations, and adherence to a student code of conduct.
In addition,
PATHS has the following
zero tolerance behaviors:
Violence or
threats of violence
Possession of a
weapon or banned substance
Overt sexual
behavior
Being under the
influence of drugs or alcohol
Hours of Operation:
Monday through
Thursday – 1:15 to 4:30 p.m. The program begins and ends
promptly
Credits:
Students can earn up to 4 academic credits and one work
experience credit for participation in the program
Participation
at Thomaston High School: The PATHS academic schedule deliberately
overlaps with the high school schedule during period 7 to allow
eligible students to take courses and or receive services that are
not offered in PATHS
COUNSELING: Students
in PATHS will participate in a weekly community group to address
social and interpersonal issues and concerns. Individual and/or
group counseling will be available to students on a voluntary basis.
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