Regional Office of Education #9
Champaign - Ford Counties


Programs: R.E.A.D.Y. Program


Click here to link to the R.E.A.D.Y. Website


The Purpose: An Illinois law called The Safe Schools Act has created an option for students in grades 6-12 who have been multiply suspended or on the verge of being expelled from school for acts of gross misconduct. Students accepted into the Champaign-Ford Regional Office of Education Safe Schools Program, called the R.E.A.D.Y. Program, are given a unique opportunity that utilizes a variety of programs, both in the classroom and in the community, to help foster academic, vocational and emotional growth. Funding is provided by grants from the Illinois State Board of Education, General State Aid, and tuition from participating school districts.

The Mission: The mission of the R.E.A.D.Y. Program is to provide a holistic education program for students in an alternative setting. The integrated curriculum includes partnerships with the families, the home school, social service agencies and educational communities to help students find pathways to academic, occupational, and personal success.

OVERVIEW OF PROGRAM

Location: 45 E. University, Champaign (3rd Floor of the Illinois Terminal Building)
Contact Information: Donna Shonk, Director of Alternative Education
Email: dkaufman@roe9.k12.il.us
Phone: 217-239-0322

Academics: The curriculum is aligned to the Illinois Learning Standards.
Courses offered to the students include:

High School Courses
General Math
Pre-Algebra
Algebra I & II
Geometry
Biology
Earth Science
Chemistry
Geography
American History
Foods
Reading 		Government
Psychology
Sociology
Consumer Ed.
Health
Driver’s Ed.
Keyboarding
Art I, II, III
Computer Graphics
English I, II, III, IV
Physical Education

Resource Study Skills & Job Skills Classes
Middle School Courses
Reading
Language Arts
Math
Social Studies
Health
Science
Physical Education
Intro to Technology
Social Skills Training
There are 3 sections of each class. Students are grouped according to ability level
Service Learning Projects:
Academic coursework and social growth will be enhanced by service learning projects. Each student will participate in a service-learning project. Projects include:
  • Care Center Nursing Home
  • Community Day Care
  • YMCA Landscaping
  • Champaign Park District (Adopt-A-Park)
  • Marquette School
  • Dr. Howard School
  • King Elementary School
  • Center for Women in Transition
  • CU Public Health

Social Skills: All students participate in a social skills training. Two full time social workers are available to help students stabilize their behavior and achieve their personal goal. The foundation of the program is based on Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS). Students monitor their own behavior through the use of the Success Card. School based wrap-around plans are created to provide supports in all areas of the student’s life.

GED Program: In collaboration with Parkland College, students may attend GED classes at the age of 16. Once a student has completed the classes, he/she may take the GED. After the GED, students enter the Job Training Program sponsored by the R.E.A.D.Y. Program in Partnership with the Illinois Employment and Training Center.
Education to Careers: An education to careers coordinator teachers a consumer skills/job training class. Students then work in the afternoon as a part of their program. Students earn credit while working at a job. All students are given a career assessment and opportunities to participate in internships and job shadowing experiences. Students can also participate in a summer work program in partnership with the Illinois Employment and Training Center.
Collaboration with Mental Health: The R.E.A.D.Y. Program provides space to Provena Mental Health for an on-site Mental Health Open Clinic. A mental health counselor from Provena provides counseling two days a week for the students at R.E.A.D.Y.

Prairie Center: Drug and alcohol counseling is available two days a week from the Prairie Center. Free assessments are also done by the counselors.

 

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