Academic Accomodations
O’Dea High School offers reasonable accommodations to support students who have a qualifying evaluation for learning differences. We want our students to be successful academically, spiritually and physically.
In order to provide academic accommodations to qualified students at O’Dea High School it is important to begin the process of developing an Educational Support Plan (ESP) in a timely manner. An ESP is an individual accommodation plan developed for students with specific diagnosed learning needs.
While O’Dea may provide appropriate academic accommodations for some students, we are not able to provide all accommodations that may be available to students attending a public high school. It is the responsibility of the family to understand the limits of accommodations available at O’Dea. The family must then determine if O’Dea is an appropriate high school where their student can be academically successful.
The first step in this process is to provide the O’Dea ESP Coordinator with an evaluation and documentation of the student’s learning disabilities and/or health impairments by a qualified professional. O’Dea does not develop formal ESPs without the required evaluation and documentation.
The assessment and documentation by a qualified professional must meet the following criteria:
- States the student’s specific need(s) as diagnosed.
- Is current- evaluation completed within three years.
- Describes relevant educational and medical history.
- Describes comprehensive assessments, including evaluation dates, used to arrive at the diagnosis.
- Describes the effect on learning and academic achievement resulting from the student’s diagnosed learning need.
- Describes specific accommodations recommended to help the student be more successful in school (i.e., extended time on tests or preferential seating).
- Establishes the credentials of the qualified professional(s).
Upon receipt of the required documentation from the evaluating professional(s), the ESP coordinator will gather information from the student’s current O’Dea teachers including:
- Current course grade
- Study skills
- Areas of strength
- Areas of concern
The parent(s)/guardian(s), counselor, administrative representative, ESP coordinator, teacher(s) and the student will meet to discuss the student’s needs and determine if an ESP is appropriate. If an ESP is developed, specific learning accommodations will be documented. The ESP is reviewed annually.
Failure to disclose an existing learning need and/or health impairment may result in the student’s dismissal from O’Dea High School.