1) Enrollment Process

1)  Enrollment Process

Pathfinder Educational Center and Off-Site Programs work with the nine local districts within St. Joseph County to provide a center-based program and services to students, as determined through the IEP process. Pathfinder Educational Center and Off-Site Programs do not enroll students independent of local involvement. If an individual family is interested in our programs at Pathfinder, their first contact should be with the local education agency.

2)  Status of School Improvement Plan

a.  Goal 1 – Improve ELA (English Language Art) Skills: All students will improve their academic skills in the area of English Language Arts. Improvement will be measured using MI-Access and M-STEP (formerly MEAP) assessment data, IEP progress reports (individual goals and objectives), as well as ongoing teacher evaluation, observations, and IEP development at least once per year.

b.  Goal 2 – Improve Mathematic Skills: All students will improve their academic skills in the area of Mathematics. Improvement will be measured using MI-Access, and M-STEP (formerly MEAP) assessment data, IEP progress reports (individual goals and objectives), as well as ongoing teacher evaluation, observations, and IEP development at least once per year.

c.  Goal 3 – Improve Science Skills: All students will improve their academic skills in the area of Science. Improvement will be measured using MI-Access and M-STEP (formerly MEAP) assessment data, IEP progress reports (individual goals and objectives), as well as ongoing teacher evaluation, observations, and IEP development at least once per year.

d.  Goal 4 – Improve Young Adult Programming for students ages 18-26 years of age: All young adult students will improve and maintain their performance levels in the area of transition. Improvement will be measured using ESTR, Macomb, curriculum assessments, and teacher made assessments.

Vision

“Building Better Futures for our Children and Communities”

Mission

Our mission is to enable all students to become contributing members of society by equalizing and improving educational opportunities cooperatively with students, educators, parents, and the community.

Beliefs

•  All students should be given the opportunity to learn and succeed.

•  The goal for each student is to reach his/her potential.

•  All students have value, worth, and the right to be treated with respect and dignity.

•  All students have the right to privacy, their opinion, and personal safety.

•  All students have the right to have their individual needs addressed.

•  All students have learning opportunities in a least-restrictive environment.

•  Students learn in different ways and at different rates.

•  Learning is a lifelong process and occurs in many settings.

3)  School Description

Pathfinder Educational Center and Off-Site Programs, which is part of the St. Joseph County ISD, consists of 11 classrooms: 6 classrooms are housed at Pathfinder Educational Center and 3 classrooms are located in local school district buildings within Mendon. There are an additional 2 Young Adult Programs located in the communities of Sturgis and Three Rivers. In addition to classroom and office space, Pathfinder Educational Center has a therapeutic swimming pool, gymnasium, physical and occupational therapy room, assistive technology lending libraries, and recreation areas.

Pathfinder Educational Center and Off-Site Programs serve 9 local school districts in St. Joseph County. These include Burr Oak, Centreville, Colon, Constantine, Mendon, Nottawa, Sturgis, Three Rivers, and White Pigeon. Pathfinder Educational Center and Off-Site Programs serve students who are age 3-26 who are eligible to receive special education services as determined by their Individualized Education Planning Committee. These eligibilities may include: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Moderate and Severe Cognitive Impairments, Severe Multiple Impairment (SXI), Other Health Impairments, Emotional Impairment, and Early Childhood Developmental Delay.

Staff at Pathfinder Educational Center and Off-Site Programs work with local districts and families to provide center-based programs and ancillary services to students as determined through the IEP and referral process. Ancillary services may include: Occupational and Physical Therapy, Speech and Language, Vision and Hearing Services, Social Work, and Psychology.

Pathfinder Educational Center and Off-Site Programs do not enroll students independent of local involvement.

4)  Core Curriculum

The Pathfinder Educational Center’s curriculum is based on the Common Core Standards, but also includes the Essential Elements to best meet each student’s unique educational needs. The curriculum is common among all of our programs and is divided into bands based on students age, grade level, and needs. This center uses Functional Independence, Participation, and Supported Independence Curricula that have a primary focus on promoting independence for students. Areas of focus include personal care, health and fitness, leisure and domestic activities, daily living skills, social interactions, vocational skills, communication, community experiences, mobility, self-determination, and the core academic areas of math, English language arts, science, and social studies. Individual student focus is determined at each student’s Individualized Education Planning Meeting.

The Young Adult Program (adult programming) curriculum focuses on the following four areas: Communication and Social Skills, Community Living, Employment Outcomes, and Functional Academics. The goal of this program is to assist students with successful transitioning into living productive adult lives and independent or supported employment.

Students in the Level 5B Behavior Programs are mainly involved in the general curricula (Common Core State Standards). The goal of this classroom is to return and smoothly transition students back to their Least Restrictive Local District Program.

The Common Core Curriculum Essential Elements for students at Pathfinder Educational Center and Off-Site Programs can be found at the website address below:

Common Core: https://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,4615,7-140-28753_64839_65510---,00.html

Essential Elements: http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,4615,7-140-22709_28463-18034--,00.html

5)  Student Assessment Data

M-STEP and MI-Access Spring 2015

(Students Tested by Age and Type of Assessment)

MI-Access / Grade 3 / Grade 4 / Grade 5 / Grade 6 / Grade 7 / Grade 8 / Grade 11 / Total
Functional Independence / 2 / 2 / 3 / 7
Supported Independence / 2 / 1 / 1 / 3 / 5 / 12
Participation / 2 / 1 / 2 / 5
M-STEP
Total Students / 2 / 2 / 4 / 3 / 5 / 8 / 24

Based on the low number of students tested (less than 10) per grade level for all of these assessments, the results are not included in this report to protect confidentiality of students.

6)  Percentage of Parent Participation in Parent-Teacher Conferences

Year / % of Participation
Fall / Spring
2014-15 / 69% / 63%
2013-14 / 79% / 68%
2012-13 / 93% / 80%

*2012-2014 number indicates Pathfinder Educational Center programs only

Families are also provided a number of additional opportunities to participate in Pathfinder Educational Center and Off-Site Program activities.

We are pleased to have the opportunity to serve the students, parents, and local districts of St. Joseph County. We will continue to strive for excellence through school improvement and educational successes.

Aubree Spencer,

Principal

Pathfinder Educational Center and Off-Site Programs

St. Joseph County ISD

M-STEP Grades 3-8

Subject / Grade / Testing
Group / School Year / State Percent Students Proficient / District Percent Students Proficient / School Percent Students Proficient / Percent
Advanced / Percent
Proficient / Percent Partially Proficient / Percent Not
Proficient
Social Studies / 8th Grade
Content / All Students / 2013-14 / 25.6% / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10
Social Studies / 8th Grade
Content / White / 2013-14 / 31.2% / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10
Social Studies / 8th Grade
Content / Male / 2013-14 / 28.7% / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10
Social Studies / 8th Grade
Content / Economically
Disadvantaged / 2013-14 / 12.9% / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10
Social Studies / 8th Grade
Content / Students With
Disabilities / 2013-14 / 6.4% / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10

MME

Subject / Grade / Testing
Group / School Year / State Percent Students Proficient / District Percent Students Proficient / School Percent Students Proficient / Percent
Advanced / Percent
Proficient / Percent Partially Proficient / Percent Not
Proficient

No Data to Display

Michigan Educational Assessment Program Access (MEAP - Access)

Subject / Grade / Testing Group / School Year / State Percent Students Proficient / District Percent Students Proficient / School Percent Students Proficient / Percent
Exceeded / Percent Met / Percent
Progressing
Mathematics / 4th / All Students / 2013-14 / 55.3% / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10
Mathematics / 4th / White / 2013-14 / 59.8% / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10
Mathematics / 4th / Male / 2013-14 / 56.2% / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10
Reading / 4th / All Students / 2013-14 / 45.6% / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10
Reading / 4th / White / 2013-14 / 50.1% / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10
Reading / 4th / Male / 2013-14 / 45.4% / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10
Subject / Grade / Testing Group / School Year / State Percent Students Proficient / District Percent Students Proficient / School Percent Students Proficient / Percent
Surpassed / Percent
Attained / Percent
Emerging
Mathematics / 4th Grade
Content / All Students / 2013-14 / 64.9% / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10
Reading / 4th Grade
Content / All Students / 2013-14 / 73.9% / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10
Science / 4th Grade
Content / All Students / 2013-14 / 47.4% / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10
Mathematics / 4th Grade
Content / White / 2013-14 / 68.8% / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10
Reading / 4th Grade
Content / White / 2013-14 / 76.2% / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10
Science / 4th Grade
Content / White / 2013-14 / 52.6% / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10
Mathematics / 4th Grade
Content / Female / 2013-14 / 62.1% / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10
Reading / 4th Grade
Content / Female / 2013-14 / 75.3% / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10
Science / 4th Grade
Content / Female / 2013-14 / 45.4% / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10
Mathematics / 4th Grade
Content / Economically
Disadvantaged / 2013-14 / 66% / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10
Reading / 4th Grade
Content / Economically
Disadvantaged / 2013-14 / 73.8% / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10
Science / 4th Grade
Content / Economically
Disadvantaged / 2013-14 / 47.9% / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10
Mathematics / 5th Grade
Content / All Students / 2013-14 / 73.8% / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10
Subject / Grade / Testing Group / School Year / State Percent Students Proficient / District Percent Students Proficient / School Percent Students Proficient / Percent
Surpassed / Percent
Attained / Percent
Emerging
Reading / 5th Grade
Content / All Students / 2013-14 / 86.8% / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10
Mathematics / 5th Grade
Content / White / 2013-14 / 76.9% / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10
Reading / 5th Grade
Content / White / 2013-14 / 86.9% / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10
Mathematics / 5th Grade
Content / Male / 2013-14 / 74.9% / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10
Reading / 5th Grade
Content / Male / 2013-14 / 86% / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10
Mathematics / 5th Grade
Content / Economically
Disadvantaged / 2013-14 / 75.1% / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10
Reading / 5th Grade
Content / Economically
Disadvantaged / 2013-14 / 86.6% / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10
Mathematics / 6th Grade
Content / All Students / 2014-15 / 67.8% / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10
ELA / 6th Grade
Content / All Students / 2014-15 / 68.1% / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10
Mathematics / 6th Grade
Content / White / 2014-15 / 69.4% / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10
ELA / 6th Grade
Content / White / 2014-15 / 70.5% / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10
Mathematics / 6th Grade
Content / Male / 2014-15 / 69.7% / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10
ELA / 6th Grade
Content / Male / 2014-15 / 66% / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10
Subject / Grade / Testing Group / School Year / State Percent Students Proficient / District Percent Students Proficient / School Percent Students Proficient / Percent
Surpassed / Percent
Attained / Percent
Emerging
Mathematics / 6th Grade
Content / Economically
Disadvantaged / 2014-15 / 69.9% / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10
ELA / 6th Grade
Content / Economically
Disadvantaged / 2014-15 / 69.3% / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10
Mathematics / 7th Grade
Content / All Students / 2014-15 / 67.8% / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10
Mathematics / 7th Grade
Content / All Students / 2013-14 / 75.9% / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10
Reading / 7th Grade
Content / All Students / 2013-14 / 90.9% / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10
ELA / 7th Grade
Content / All Students / 2014-15 / 68.8% / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10
Science / 7th Grade
Content / All Students / 2014-15 / 51.8% / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10
Science / 7th Grade
Content / All Students / 2013-14 / 53.7% / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10
Mathematics / 7th Grade
Content / American Indian / 2014-15 / 63.2% / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10
ELA / 7th Grade
Content / American Indian / 2014-15 / 62.5% / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10
Science / 7th Grade
Content / American Indian / 2014-15 / 47.4% / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10
Mathematics / 7th Grade
Content / White / 2014-15 / 72.3% / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10
Mathematics / 7th Grade
Content / White / 2013-14 / 80.6% / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10 / <10