Overview: Sanger High School

Sanger High School is the only comprehensive high school in the Sanger Unified School District.

SHS has a student population, currently at 2,250, has been steadily climbing for the past four years. The students represent a wide range of ethnic and socio-economic diversity. The majority of the students are Hispanic (71 percent), followed by White (19 percent) and Asian (8 percent). The participation in the Free/Reduced Price Meals Program at SHS has risen from 55 percent in 2002-2003 to 72 percent in 2005-2006. Special education students represent 6 percent of the total school population, while English learners make up 17 percent.

SHS began implementing the collaborative model in 2003-2004, in which RSP and many SDC students are fully included in all types of general education classes. English and math teachers are supported by a special education teacher and paraprofessionals. Consultants also work with other teachers when needed. Special education teachers (consultants) team in pairs and work primarily with English and math teachers. The consultants' student caseloads are assigned with the English and math teachers with which they work—one consultant with English and the other with math.

ALL students (specifically special education students receiving a diploma) have access to core curriculum through general education courses. The aim is to increase student achievement for ALL students through teacher collaboration, best practices in instruction, and standards-aligned curriculum.

Consultants provide additional help for teachers and students, both special education and general education. Students have become acclimated to consultants, paraprofessionals, and special education students in the general education setting. A casual observer would be hard pressed to identify the special education student in the classroom. Differentiated instruction has become an integral tool for student achievement of ALL students. General education teachers find reformation of notes, assignments, etc. is beneficial for everyone.

SHS general education teachers are properly credentialed and highly qualified in their core areas and thus give equal access for ALL students. All special education students receiving a high school diploma obtain core credit in classes instructed by highly qualified teachers.

SHS started by "piloting" the collaborative model with a few general education teachers. After the success seen by all teachers, others were added on the consultant's "caseload" of teachers to ensure all English and math teachers were included. All core areas were included in the first year of the collaborative model. However, the ambitiousness of the consultants proved to be physically and emotionally exhausting. To lessen the strain, the involvement was reduced to just the English and Math Departments. These two departments were chosen based on the California High School Exit Exam.