Accommodations
Services for Students With Special Needs
At Christopher Columbus High School, we are dedicated to supporting the academic success of every student. All requests for accommodations are managed by Ms. Denise Ramirez, who in collaboration with our on-staff Learning Specialists and administration, develops and implements personalized learning plans, ensuring compliance and providing the necessary resources for students with unique learning needs.
Educational Support Via:
- Coordinating curriculum development to meet the needs of students with exceptionalities
- Reviewing psycho-educational evaluations and Individualized Educational Plans (IEPs) and serving as a liaison between students and teachers to ensure proper execution of accommodations
- Collaborating with department heads and teachers to support curriculum implementation
- Observing students in classroom settings, as requested by teachers, to provide guidance on best practices
- Meeting regularly with designated student groups to address academic challenges and concerns
- Maximizing support for students by utilizing all available resources, such as study hall and peer tutoring, offered by Columbus
Guideline & Accommodation Requests
All requests for accommodations, including those related to a 504 Plan, must include a recent (within the last three years) psycho-educational evaluation or Individualized Educational Plan (IEP). These documents, along with the request, should be submitted to Ms. Denise Ramirez. Accommodations cannot be granted without the submission of professionally administered assessments.
School Accommodations
Christopher Columbus High School aims to ensure an equitable learning environment for all students. We do not provide modifications to the curriculum, but students with a documented disability may be eligible for accommodation(s) within the classroom setting and assessments.
Parents/guardians must provide a current copy of an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), 504 Plan, and/or Psychoeducational Evaluation by a licensed psychologist.
The Psychoeducational Evaluation must:
- State the specific disability
- Be current – completed within the last three years
- Provide relevant educational, developmental, and medical history
- Describe the comprehensive testing and results used to arrive at the diagnosis
- Describe the functional limitations
- Describe the specific accommodation in relation to the disability
- Establish the professional credentials of the evaluator
The Academic Dean and Test Accommodations Coordinator will review all documents submitted, determine if there is a demonstrated need, and will create a School Accommodation Plan. The submission of an evaluation does not guarantee that the school can provide any or all accommodations, if these exceed what the school can provide through the academic program or campus facilities. School Accommodation Plans will be reviewed annually to determine continued eligibility.
Learning Support Staff
Beatriz Vinson
Director of The Desmond Family Success Center/ The Real Estate Explorer (REX) Club Moderator
Work:
ext. 2231
Standardized Testing Accommodations
Students with a School Accommodation Plan may be eligible for accommodation(s) on standardized testing through the College Board and/or ACT. Parents will be required to complete additional forms giving the school consent to petition the assessment entities. A petition does not guarantee eligibility, and the only accommodation(s) that will be requested are those on a student’s School Accommodation Plan. Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), 504 plans, and doctor's notes are usually not sufficient by themselves. Each request must be supported by documentation, including appropriate academic and diagnostic test scores.