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Goshen elementary highlights 'adaptive specials' to include students with diverse needs
Summary
At the Nov. 10 Goshen Board meeting, elementary staff described "adaptive specials," 40-minute small-group blocks for music, PE, library and STEAM designed to include students with disabilities and build routines, social skills and confidence; students performed and received certificates.
An elementary presenter told the Goshen Board of Education on Nov. 10 that the district has added "adaptive specials" — dedicated 40‑minute small-group blocks for STEAM, music, PE and library — to better include students with special education needs in regular specials.
The presenter said the blocks allow teachers and specialists to decide when a student is ready to join a small-group session so they can "learn with their peers, learn social skills with the school and with the teachers" and then transition into larger general-education settings. "So our highlight this evening is about something called adaptive specials," the presenter said.
The program was described as offering differentiated instruction, routine, and structured supports intended to strengthen communication, coordination and confidence. Staff members named during the presentation included music teacher Carolyn Petty and special-education staff Alyssa Heekin and paraprofessional Ashley Harris; teacher Lisa Hicken was identified as working in a four-unit classroom serving several students.
Students from the school performed for the board and received certificates recognizing participation as "fearless learners." Board members praised the initiative and the presenters recommended continued collaboration between specials teachers and classroom staff to identify when students should attend the adaptive blocks.
The session closed with trustees and staff encouraging family involvement and noting that the approach aims to offer the same rich learning experiences "in ways that match what their abilities are and their comfort level."
