Y3K Tutor In Your Home

Individual Education Plans (IEP’s)

By

Individual Education Plans (IEP’s) are covered under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1975. This act requires all 50 states to ensure a free appropriate public education to all qualifying students no matter what their disabilities are. It says that school systems must provide a proper individually tailored education, designed specifically for the individual. Each eligible student must be appropriately taught whether there is funding or not and by any means necessary.

The requirements of an IEP go a step further than 504 plans in that they require not only equal access, but also delivery of a proper education. The schools have to prove that eligible students have made academic progress. IEP’s include not only a plan of action but specific reports to show the amount of progress. The school’s special education department is in charge of IEP’s. If you feel that your child may require additional services beyond a 504 plan, then you may want to consider an IEP.

For helpful advice and support for students on IEP’s, contact Y3K Tutor In Your Home today! We have helped many families receive the educational support they need.

Home

504 Plans

By

504 plans refer to section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act passed by the United States Congress in 1973. This act protects the civil rights of people with disabilities. It says that people with disabilities must have equal access to participation in all programs that receive federal funding. Therefore public schools have to make sure that equal access happens for all students.

One major limitation of 504 plans is that they only require equal access. They do not require that academic progress be made. Basically 504 plans provide accommodations that allow children with disabilities the same access as those without. The school’s general education department is in charge of 504 programs. If your child can be successful by using some carefully placed accommodations, then a 504 plan would be best. These plans take less time to create and are usually less expensive for the school district.

For helpful advice and support for students on 504 plans, contact Y3K Tutor In Your Home today! We have helped many families receive the educational support they need.

Home

Title 1, 504’s and IEP’s

By

Title 1, 504’s and IEP’s are unique academic programs and mandated by separate government offices. If you have a child who requires special education, it is absolutely essential that you comprehend the difference between Title 1, 504’s and IEP’s. Understanding them is important so that you can be an effective advocate for your child. Check back here over the next several days for specifics about each program.

For helpful advice and support throughout the entire Title 1, 504 and IEP process, contact Y3K Tutor In Your Home today! We have helped many families receive the educational support they need.

Home

Title I

By

Title I is part of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. It is a collection of federal laws that are designed to improve the achievement of public school students. Title 1 allows schools to receive additional funding for specific Title I programs and in turn are held accountable for showing marked improvement in those areas. The schools must then prove to the government that the extra money spent resulted in student advancement. The school’s general education department is in charge of Title I programs.

For helpful advice and support for Title 1 students , contact Y3K Tutor In Your Home today! We have helped many families receive the educational support they need.

Home

MCAS English Writing / Composition Scoring Rubric

By

Scoring Guides for MCAS English Language Arts Composition

Below is the official MCAS English Language Arts Composition scoring rubric. For help passing this MCAS English writing test, contact Y3K Tutor In Your Home today! We have helped many students receive high scores on these writing prompts.

https://www.y3ktutorinyourhome.com/mcas-a-test-prep.html

Student compositions that do not address the writing prompt will be deemed non-scorable, earning them a 0 out of a possible 12 points for topic development and 0 out of a possible 8 points for standard English conventions.

Scoring Guide for Topic/Idea Development

Score Description

6

Rich topic/idea development

Careful and/or subtle organization

Effective/rich use of language

5

Full topic/idea development

Logical organization

Strong details

Appropriate use of language

4

Moderate topic/idea development and organization

Adequate, relevant details

Some variety in language

3

Rudimentary topic/idea development and/or organization

Basic supporting details

Simplistic language

2

Limited or weak topic/idea development, organization, and/or details

Limited awareness of audience and/or task

1

Little topic/idea development, organization, and/or details

Little or no awareness of audience and/or task

Scoring Guide for Standard English Conventions

Score Description

4

Control of sentence structure, grammar and usage, and mechanics (length and complexity of essay provide opportunity for student to show control of standard English conventions)

3

Errors do not interfere with communication and/or

Few errors relative to length of essay or complexity of sentence structure, grammar and usage, and mechanics

2

Errors interfere somewhat with communication and/or

Too many errors relative to the length of the essay or complexity of sentence structure, grammar and usage, and mechanics

1

Errors seriously interfere with communication AND

Little control of sentence structure, grammar and usage, and mechanics

Educational Rights

By

You have many rights when advocating for the best possible education for your child. Under federal and state law you have the right to:

Request and receive a free evaluation by the public school if you think your child has a problem affecting progress in school. Assessment can be done in all areas of concern including vision, hearing, social/emotional/behavior, language, and motor skills.
Have your child evaluated for the potential to benefit from assistive technology.
Obtain an independent evaluation by an approved provider should you not agree with the school’s findings.
Approve or decline all evaluations that are proposed for your child.
Request and receive copies of all evaluations two school days before the Team meeting to develop the IEP (Individualized Education Plan).
Attend and participate in all meetings where the IEP is developed.
Participate in transition planning for your child beginning the year he/she turns 14.
Bring a friend, professional, advocate, or attorney to all meetings.
Receive a clear explanation of evaluation summaries.
Meet whenever necessary with any school staff working with your child and reconvene the Team at any time.
Reject part or all of the IEP, including parts that are missing.
Review and inspect your child’s record.
Participate in the decision to remove your child’s IEP or 504 Plan.
Mediation to resolve differences with the school district regarding services for your child.

For helpful advice and support, contact Y3K Tutor In Your Home today! We have helped many families receive the educational support they need.

Home

MCAS English Writing Prompt Scoring

By

Grade 10 English MCAS writing prompts are scored based on two components.

Topic Development

For topic development, students are scored based on a six-score point scale, with students receiving from 2 to 12 points. Points are earned based on how complete the student answers all parts to the multiple part question. It also includes how well the writing uses supporting details and focus to answer the question.

Standard English Conventions

For Standard English conventions, students are scored based on a four-point scale, with students receiving from 2 to 8 points. Points are earned based on proper grammar and punctuation.

Both scores are added together. The maximum score a student can receive is 20 points. For help receiving the highest MCAS test scores possible, contact Y3K Tutor In Your Home today! We have helped many students receive high scores on these tests.

https://www.y3ktutorinyourhome.com/mcas-a-test-prep.html

MCAS Test Questions

By

The MCAS tests have four types of questions.

Multiple-Choice Questions

The multiple-choice questions are included on all but the English Composition tests and have students choose one answer from four given answers. These types of questions are machine-scored.

Short-Answer Questions

MCAS short-answer questions are only on the math tests. They require the student to give a short numerical answer or a brief statement.

Open-Response Questions

Open-response questions are included on all MCAS tests but the English Composition and grade 3 math tests. They require students to generate their own responses. Students create a one-two paragraph response in writing or in the form of a narrative, chart, table, diagram, illustration, or graph, as appropriate. Students can receive up to four points for each open-response question.

Writing Prompts

Writing prompts are included only on English Composition tests and require students to respond by creating a written composition. Usually students answer a multiple part question in paragraph form.

For help passing the MCAS tests, contact Y3K Tutor In Your Home today! We have helped many students receive high scores on these tests.

https://www.y3ktutorinyourhome.com/mcas-a-test-prep.html

NHS Friends of Music – Needham, MA

By

Budget cuts are felt throughout the Needham, MA school system, but they especially affect music programs. NHS Friends of Music strives to inspire students’ passion for music and to help maintain the excellence of the Needham High School music programs. Through Y3K Tutor In Your Home’s generous WinterFest Silent Auction donation and your support, Needham High School students can receive educational grants, travel assistance to music program opportunities and funds for uniforms. When attending the NHS Friends of Music’s WinterFest Silent Auction on December 2, 2011 located at Needham High School, remember to look for our donation.

Y3K Tutor In Your Home © All Rights Reserved 2003-Y3K