Offered at Dr K.A. Clark Elementary School and Composite High School, VIP exemplifies FMPSD's dedication to inclusivity and empowerment. This unique offering is designed to support junior and senior high school students with mild cognitive disabilities and significant academic delays, equipping them with vital skills for independent living and gainful employment. Here's an in-depth look at what the VIP endeavours to achieve, its benefits, and how it beautifully aligns with the Alberta curriculum.
Our Goals: Drawing the Roadmap to Success
The Vocational Individualized Program endeavours to:
- Improve Academic and Independent Living Skills: VIP focuses on enhancing basic math and literacy skills critical for independence. Students focus on foundational learning concepts.
- Provide an Authentic Learning Experience: VIP students continue to work within a traditional classroom setting. Students are integrated and establish a sense of belonging to the school community.
Program Benefits: Transforming Challenges into Opportunities
Participants in the VIP stand to gain immensely, not just academically but in realms that extend into their personal and professional lives:
- Strategic Learning Techniques: The program introduces effective strategies for studying, organizing information, and enabling students to approach learning tasks more effectively.
- Enhanced Study and Work Skills: Students refine their work and study habits through targeted instruction, preparing them for the responsibilities and challenges of adult life and the workplace.
How We Deliver Success
At the heart of VIP's effectiveness is its delivery method, which includes:
- A Supportive Learning Environment: the VIP classroom is a space where student learning is supported and scaffolded to meet their individual needs.
- Informed and Intentional Instruction: Recognizing our students' diverse needs and abilities, instruction is adapted for maximum engagement and comprehension. This includes visual aids, hands-on activities, and among other accommodations and modifications.
- Manageable Class Sizes: Smaller class sizes ensure more personalized attention and targeted instruction, allowing educators to effectively address individual learning gaps.
Who Can Benefit?
The VIP is designed for students who are:
- Enrolled in grades 4-6 at Dr Clark School and grades 7 to 12 at the Composite High School
- Diagnosed with a mild cognitive delay or mild/moderate intellectual disability.
- Experiencing significant academic delays despite having adequate intellectual, linguistic, sensory, and emotional development
Aligned With Excellence: Our Curriculum Standpoint
In line with FMPSD's commitment to delivering quality education, the Vocational Individualized Program is grounded in the Alberta Education curriculum, ensuring all students receive a comprehensive and robust educational experience.
Step Into the Future With VIP
In a world where the traditional path doesn’t suit everyone, FMPSD's Vocational Individualized Program creates a unique journey toward success—one that empowers each student to face the challenges of the future with confidence and resilience.