HomeIssues in EducationSpecial Education

Special Education

A series on special education in Kent County. School News Network will take readers into classrooms around the area to shine a light on new approaches to teaching students with physical and mental disabilities.

Pre-teach, teach, reteach

Byron Center Erin Albanese

Students learn through a “pre-teach and reteach model,” sometimes receiving instruction three different times as additional support...

Learning something new expands life, social skills

Kentwood Erin Albanese

Students in an Autism Spectrum Disorder and Moderately Cognitively Impaired program explored many types of art and dance, thanks to a grant...

Trash becomes treasure during bucket art project

Special Education Erin Albanese

Students in teacher Laura Sluys’ special education class and general education students recently worked together on an artistic project in partnership with the program, Artists Creating Together...

It’s a clean sweep

Kent ISD Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

An opportunity to work on life skills leads to a group of Kent ISD Community Transition Center students helping one local restaurant during the pandemic...

‘There is something about inclusion’

Sparta Janice Holst

This teacher has made it her mission to help students with mild impairments find their way in school and beyond...

Virtual preschoolers stay on track, connect through activities

School 2.0 Erin Albanese

Read-alouds, group songs, fine-motor skills, weekly teacher-parent-child meetings are all happening online...

Expressing their gratitude

Kent ISD Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

KTC students have joined forces to help send a message of appreciation to local veterans...

Through screens and technical glitches, learning goes on

Grand Rapids Charles Honey

In a year of forced online learning, teachers themselves have had much to learn in keeping students engaged and progressing...

Students pair up to overcome challenges

Grand Rapids Community College Alexis Stark

When the COVID-19 pandemic closed some doors, a window opened to a new partnership between Grand Rapids Community College’s Occupational Therapy Assistant students and college-aged adults diagnosed with intellectual disabilities...

KCTC and KTC Core students roll up their sleeves to help reduce water runoff at Kent ISD

Kent ISD Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

The water from the Kent ISD area feeds into the Lamberton Creek watershed. The plants will aid in reducing the amount added to the creek...

At-home learners stay connected through a new resource

Kent City Janice Holst

In late October, Kent City Elementary opened a designated room to give families who have chosen virtual education extra resources and support...

Kent ISD focused on improving outcomes for center-based special education students

Kent ISD James Harger

Now that Kent ISD has completed its takeover of nine center-based special education programs, Director Paul Dymowski says it’s time to focus on improving outcomes for the nearly 1,400 students enrolled in the programs...

Two programs become one, to help infants and toddlers

Special Education James Harger

The Ken-O-Sha Home Community program will fit hand-in-glove with Kent ISD’s Early On program when Grand Rapids Public Schools transfers its special education center programs to Kent ISD this summer, leaders say. Both programs serve children with impairments from birth to 3 years old...

Students learn skills the fun way: making music

Lowell Morgan Jarema

A group of Alto Elementary students took part in 10 one-hour sessions with a music therapist at the Franciscan Life Process Center, thanks to a grant from the Lowell Education Foundation...

Pine Grove Learning Center offers profoundly challenged students an opportunity to learn

Special Education James Harger

The Pine Grove Learning Center is where 103 of the most challenged special education students and their families in Southwest Kent County find unconditional acceptance. They also find an opportunity to learn and grow despite their physical and learning disabilities...

Students progress despite their impairments at Pine Grove Learning Center

All Districts James Harger

Teachers at the Pine Grove Learning Center take the long approach as they work with severely impaired students who attend the center-based program, which will transition from Grand Rapids Public Schools to Kent ISD this summer...

12 3 Page 1 of 3

- Sponsorship -