For new students all documentation supporting educational diagnosis should be submitted during the application process to ensure accommodations are in place for the start of the school year. If educational needs are not disclosed during the admissions process, anticipate a delay in finalization and distribution of any learning plan.
Chaminade Education Learning Plans (CEAPs) are distributed within the first weeks of the school year. To ensure the student’s learning plan is distributed to his teacher to start the semester, all documentation (re-evaluations or additional requested documentation) must be submitted by August 1st. Any documents submitted after this date will delay the distribution of the student’s learning plan.
In order to apply for accommodations for the ACT and College Board (PSAT, SAT, and AP test), CEAPs must be in place for 6 months before a testing accommodation request can be submitted to either testing agency.
Chaminade is a college preparatory school with demanding requirements, which all enrolled students are expected to meet. For students with an official, documented diagnosis of a learning disability/difference, the following testing and classroom accommodations can be offered at Chaminade. It is important to note that Chaminade is not able to provide intensive accommodations or curriculum modifications typically utilized in schools with dedicated special education programs. Only the specific accommodations listed within the Chaminade Student Handbook can be included in a student’s learning plan, and they must be recommended by the diagnosing clinician.
Testing Accommodations:
Timing: Extended time: 150% on classroom assessments, semester exams, and standardized assessments.
Setting: Testing in a reduced distraction environment.
Response: Allowance for the test answers to be recorded directly to the test.
Allowance for an option of a paper test when a computer test is the standard format.
Classroom Accommodations:
Setting: Preferential Seating
Presentation: Note-taking support to supplement student notes. Use of audio supplements: during independent work time (not provided by school)
Response: Use of Calculator when the test does not solely assess calculation skills. Use of Laptop in place of handwritten assignments or handwritten notes. (in accordance with the acceptable use of technology policy)
To be found eligible for a formal accommodation plan at Chaminade, the school must be provided with a current psychoeducational assessment, as well as a documented diagnosis of a learning disability/difference. Other diagnoses of clinical and medical disorders may also qualify a student for an accommodation plan. Submitted documentation will be reviewed by one of Chaminade’s Learning Consultants. Additional documentation may be requested to fulfill the eligibility requirements. Once all requested documentation is submitted and reviewed, an accommodation plan will be developed for the student and distributed during the following grading period. Students hoping to take advantage of testing accommodations for semester exams must have all paperwork submitted by November 1st in the first semester, and April 1st in the second semester. See below for examples:
- Clinical disorders/disabilities (e.g. Anxiety, Depression) should be diagnosed by a psychiatrist, psychologist, or licensed professional counselor, not a pediatrician. If you have questions about who an appropriate clinician is to complete the evaluation, please contact your student’s house counselor or learning consultant. Documents submitted must include the diagnosis, assessment results used for diagnosis, and recommendations. The initial evaluation submitted must be within the last 12 months. Updates are required annually.
- Medical disorders/disabilities (e.g., Visual impairment, hearing impairment, diabetes, neurological disorders) should be diagnosed by an appropriate medical professional, a specialist in their respective field, not a pediatrician. Documents submitted should include diagnosis, assessments results, limitations caused by the medical impairment, and recommendations. The initial evaluation submitted must be with the last 12 months. Updates are required annually.
- Learning disorders/disabilities (e.g. dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, etc.) require a comprehensive educational evaluation from a qualified clinician. The assessment must include the diagnosis, results from a cognitive and achievement testing, and recommendations. The initial evaluation submitted must be within 30 months of the assessment date. Updates are required every 3 years.
- Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can fall into all three diagnostic categories, but testing agencies such as ACT and College Board may require a complete psychoeducational evaluation. Please note, a medical ADHD diagnosis will need to come from a medical specialist, such as a neurologist or psychiatrist, and not from a general practitioner or pediatrician.
