Special Programs

Academic Intervention Services

Academic intervention classes are required for students who fail a regents examination with a grade of 60-64 or who have attained a level 1 or a level 2 on an eighth grade state exam. The school schedules these students to attend small-group sessions every other day in addition to their regular classes. The State Education Department mandates these programs and the school must add them to a student’s schedule. Once a student passes the regents exam, the counselor will remove the AIS class from the student’s schedule. A student who fails a regents examination with a grade below 60 will retake the course for a more intense preparation.

Adaptive Physical Education Program

This program provides for the special needs of students within the physical education program. Participating students still meet course requirements in a modified fashion and they will earn physical education credit for graduation. Guidance will place students in adaptive PE based on the recommendation of the PE teacher to the committee on special education.

Advanced Placement Program

The Advanced Placement Program, in conjunction with the College Board, offers honors-level students an opportunity to earn college credit while in high school. College credit is dependent upon the student’s performance on the Advanced Placement Examination administered in May and the credit policy of the college or university of the student’s choice. Currently, the following Advanced Placement courses are available at Liberty High School:

  • English Literature and English Language
  • American History and Government
  • Biology

All examination costs are the responsibility of the student. Students who enroll in an Advanced Placement course must take the corresponding AP exam. Fee waivers are available to eligible students.

Sullivan County Community College Courses

Presently, students may take Business Mathematics, Composition I, Creative Writing, Speech I, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, Photography 2, and Advanced Personal Fitness for college credits through Sullivan County Community College. The students are responsible for tuition to take this course. Financial assistance is available for eligible students.

Career and Technical Education Program

Liberty High School participates in specialized occupational educational programs offered by the Sullivan County Board of Cooperative Educational Services. Students may enroll in the Career and Technical Education Programs at BOCES when they have attained status as a junior or senior.  LHS students enrolled in the Career and Technical Education Program at BOCES will attend the a.m. session as first year students and the p.m. session as second year students. Students may earn seven and one-half credits over the two years of enrollment in a CTE program. A student may earn integrated course credit from a CTE program only if the course does not fit in his or her schedule. Students must earn a minimum course grade of 65 and must have satisfactory attendance in order to receive a recommendation for the second year of the program.

Occupational courses currently offered through the Career and Technical Education Program include:

  • Animal Science
  • Auto Body Repair
  • Automotive Technologies
  • Community-Based Work Program
  • Computer Networking and Repair
  • Construction Technologies/Electrical Trades
  • Core
  • Cosmetology
  • Culinary Arts and Sciences
  • Custom Fabrication and Metalworking
  • Diversified Health Occupations
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Graphic Design
  • Health Careers Academy/ New Vision Program
  • Natural Resources
  • Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
  • Multi Occupations
  • Public Safety Services

Notes:

  1. Occupational courses are subject to availability.
  2. All Health programs require the passing of a proficiency exam with at least a 90%. The exam is a competency-based test, which means the student may retake the exam until he/she attains a score of 90%.

Attendance at CTE follows the same attendance policy as Liberty High School. Enrollment in a CTE program is an elective privilege; therefore, the school may remove students who do not adhere to the attendance and/or discipline policies from the program. In addition, a student who does not pass the first year in a CTE program may not return without administrative approval from the High School Principal. Course descriptions of all CTE programs are available in the Guidance Office.

English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Program

The English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Program at Liberty High School tries to ensure that students who have limited English proficiency receive freestanding English as a second language. An ESOL teacher identifies those students with limited English proficiency and, in cooperation with the regular classroom teachers and school counselors, plans and delivers an educational program that meets the needs of the students. The school measures the student’s language proficiency annually to determine progress and further participation in the ESOL program. The school may offer state mandated examinations, required for graduation to ESOL students in their native language.

Special Education Program

Changes in federal and state laws have brought about a redefinition of Special Education by the New York State Education Department. Special education is a comprehensive and integrated approach to assisting students who have learning difficulties that interfere with their potential for development. Each year, the Committee on Special Education (CSE) develops an Individual Education Program (IEP) to meet the student’s intellectual, emotional, and physical needs.

The Special Education Program includes the student in regular education classes as often as possible. Special Education teachers work with the regular education teachers to help assure student achievement and success. The school provides access to all available resources as well as remediation techniques, establishment of short and long-term objectives, and assessment

All students who have an Individualized Education Plan or a Section 504 Plan will interact with a case manager. The case manager will serve as a liaison for the student, parent/guardian, and school personnel. The case manager will attend meetings, provide feedback from teachers, and participate in the transition planning process for students. A parent may contact the case manager and/or the school counselor with any questions or concerns regarding their son or daughter’s educational program or progress.