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McCarthy-Towne houses two substantially separate classes that are administered by the Concord Area Special Education (C.A.S.E.) collaborative. The students in these classes have special needs in a variety of areas, including cognition, language, motor and activities of daily living. Children in the K/1/2 class range in age from 5 - 8 years while those in the grade 3/4/5 class are 9 - 12 years of age. These students are integrated into the regular education classrooms when possible.
In addition to small group and individualized instruction, C.A.S.E. students receive occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, and sometimes, physical therapy. Most of the students join their regular education peers for a variety of activities including lunch, recess, specials, and, in some cases, class time. They receive support from C.A.S.E. staff in all areas of their education at all times.
The students in the C.A.S.E. classes at McCarthy-Towne all have Individualized Educational Plans (I.E.P.). Instruction is done in an integrative approach where therapy services are carried over to the classroom settings.
Students receive instruction in reading, math, fine motor, social and self-help skills; they meet with staff individually or in small groups with 2:1 staff-to-student ratios. Instruction is provided using thematic monthly units that run in three-year cycles. Behavioral interventions, visual supports, and high levels of reinforcement are common services and strategies that support the learning experience.
For many years TCM (Together CASE & McCarthy-Towne), a sixth-grade volunteer program, has provided an opportunity for McCarthy-Towne students to work with children in the C.A.S.E. classes. C.A.S.E. staff provides training and supportive consultation for the sixth graders who participate in this program. Students in the C.A.S.E. classrooms also participate in the school's Reading Buddy program with a fifth-grade class.
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