Academic Intervention Services (AIS) are designed to help students achieve success in the NYS Next Generation Learning Standards in English language arts and mathematics. AIS must be provided as part of the general education program when students are determined to be eligible for AIS. Our AIS plan outlines the screening process required for students to be eligible for AIS support. This screening process includes a set of entrance and exit criteria. A student may be considered for entrance to and exit from AIS support based upon multiple measures of competency and teacher recommendations. Students are also given an assessment through i-Ready to identify areas of need to help inform instruction. Students work on i-Ready individualized lessons online as part of their daily classwork.

• Literacy – Grades 6-8 AIS Literacy focuses on improving reading skills of qualifying students. Students meet every other day for 43 minutes and receive instruction in the areas of reading comprehension, fluency, word work, vocabulary development and response writing. The intervention process includes individualized and small group instruction, assessment, and monitoring of progress.
• Math – Grades 6-8 AIS math concentrates on improving and reinforcing numeracy skills, math concepts, and math applications of qualifying students. The class meets every other day for 43 minutes. Students participate in small group instruction that emphasizes reinforcement of basic skills along with improvement of math reasoning and problem-solving skills. The intervention process includes individualized and small group instruction, assessment, and monitoring of progress.
  
  

The ENL program is a scaffolded, content-based curriculum that fully aligns to the essential understandings, knowledge, and skills of the New York State Next Generation Learning Standards. The curriculum is designed to support English Language Learners (ELLs) by providing context, building background knowledge and vocabulary, and fostering the academic discourse of English, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies so that students may successfully navigate rigorous academic content.

ENL instruction provides ELLs with a language focused environment to develop the academic language necessary to demonstrate complex thinking and learning across disciplines. Students learn to recognize and use language explicit to the task in the four domains of reading, writing, speaking and listening through engaging interactions and hands on activities with teachers and peers.

At the Entering Level through the Commanding Level, ELLs receive instruction from a certified ENL teacher in a stand-alone class or in an integrated classroom. Instructional time is in accordance with the New York State Department of Education.

A specialized ENL program outside of the regular program has been designed to meet the needs of ENL students before they transition into general education and regular ENL classrooms. Newly arrived ELLs who have little or no English proficiency and limited or no formal education in their native countries are placed in this program. Depending on students’ needs, classes offered include Intensive English Literacy development, Survival English, The Language of Math, and Foundations of Social Studies. Content area objectives are integrated into ENL lessons to provide students access to mathematics, social studies, and English Language Arts.

Program Goals

• develop beginning English language skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking
• delivering appropriate content area instruction to ELA, math and social studies
• assist students in acclimating to the U.S. school system
• develop strong connections with students’ families

Learning Center is a support class provided for general education students who need short-term support in their academics. This class assists students in being able to access assignments in their content area classes by using literacy strategies.

Students who receive services in special education follow the NYS curricula for each content area. Gates Chili Middle School provides a continuum of services for students with educational disabilities. Instructional opportunities range from placement in general classes to placement in smaller settings. The emphasis of all Middle School special educational programs is to meet the educational needs of students in the least restrictive classroom setting with careful attention paid to the goals identified in each student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP.

• Student Placement: Students are recommended to receive special education services following formal review and recommendation by the Gates Chili Committee on Special Education (CSE).
• Programs: Special education services are set by New York State regulations. The Middle School provides self-contained classes in settings of 6:1:1, 8:1:1, 12:1:1, and 15:1:1. Direct and indirect services of a consultant special education teacher is another placement option available, as is a Resource Room option.
• Program Accommodations: As indicated by a student’s IEP accommodations are made by teachers to meet the diverse learning needs of students in the areas of curriculum, materials, and instructional techniques.
• Related Services: As indicated by a student’s IEP, a student may receive support in speech, occupational therapy, physical therapy, counseling, or adaptive physical education.

Every student who is identified as having an educational disability is assigned a certified special education teacher as a case manager. This teacher serves as liaison between the home and school, as well as monitors and reports student progress.