INSTRUCTION, CURRICULUM, AND STUDENT SERVICES
Lacuna


Welcome
"The Lacuna Program was designed to provide support services exclusively for students that have been expelled from school. The program provides curriculum support in an online format and instructional and mentoring support through home visits made by a Lacuna staff member."
 

Bridging the GAP through computer based at-home learning during student expulsion

News

Why is the program called Lacuna?
Lacuna is a Latin term meaning "gap." The program is designed to support students in the gap as they work through a period of expulsion to regain entry into school. The Lacuna staff provides bridges the gap for students by offering curriculum support and mentoring.
Listen to a Student's Perspective on what the program is like and what can be learned in Lacuna.
 
We're Here For You!
The Lacuna staff and other volunteers from the community want to help you through the transition back to school. You can be successful. View the Video on The Expelled Student Socialization Program.  This service is offered every Wednesday night from 4:30 - 6:30 pm, and is free to participants in Lacuna.

For Parents
An expelled student is obligated to 4.25 hours of schoolwork on every school day.  The calendar that is accessible from the district homepage indicates all days that student’s attendance is required.  Expelled students in the Lacuna Program must work these days as well.  The exception is when schools are closed due to inclement weather.  In these instances, expelled students are not required to work online.  In the event of a two-hour delay students must still perform their 4.25 hours of work. 

For Students
Expelled high school students in the Lacuna Program need to be aware of their credit count for graduation.  Because NovaNET is self-paced, credit recovery is possible if a student is willing to put in extra time and effort.  Check out features of the program in the NovaNET Brochure.
Middle school students should concentrate on balancing their online time between the four core classes.  They also need to focus on note taking as an important part of their success.  Lacuna teachers will provide instruction on different notate taking styles to fit the student.  This crucial skill becomes even more important in high school.
District 11 is making online curriculum material available for all students. This school year expelled students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades can take advantage of this material.  Where necessary textbooks are provided.  This learning material has the advantage of better alignment with ongoing classroom instruction for returning expellees.   For a sample view look below. 

 

What We Believe

Program Purpose: Provide at-home, online educational service for expelled students*
 
Educational Goals
  • Meet statutory educational obligation of 4.25 hrs of core class instruction per school day for expelled middle and high school students
  • Preserve educational continuity during expulsion period
  • Facilitate successful transition back into traditional classroom and the school community
*Special education and high risk students are not included in program.

 

Technology-Based Curriculum Delivery 
  • Use internet access in the student’s home if available
  • Provide land-line dial-up internet access through PCI Sys if necessary
  • Provide D-11 Intergraph or Dell computer, monitor, keyboard, and mouse
  • NovaNET online program, MS Word, and web browser

Program Statistics

  • The average student stay in Lacuna Program is 16 weeks. The program supported 76 of the expelled students from high school and 40 from middle school. In 2007-2008, 22% of the Lacuna referrals were female, and 78% were male. A total of 607 instructional visits were made by the Lacuna instructors over the school year. Lacuna teachers traveled 3,679 miles within the District providing instruction to expelled students.

Program Format

  • Meet with the teacher weekly at the student’s home to discuss progress and receive tutoring in areas of academic need.  A parent/guardian must be in attendance during any home visits for students under the age of 18.  Provide at-home, online educational service using a blend of NovaNET and District 11 online instructional material. 

Educational Goals

  • 4.25 hrs of class instruction and study per school day for expelled middle and high school students.

  • Preserve educational continuity during expulsion period

  • Facilitate transition back into traditional classroom

Behavioral Goals 

  • Instill consistent study practices through a self paced instructional system.  Emphasis is on basics such as organization and disciplined scheduling of work and assignments per mutually agreed-to due dates.

  • Socialization classes are recommended to all Lacuna students.  They cover topics such as; anger management, drug/alcohol use, and safe communication with peers and adults. 

  • Encourage compliance with any other requirements assigned at the expulsion hearing.

Technology 

  • Internet access through dial-up, or broadband cable or DSL.

  • Dell computer, monitor, keyboard, and mouse provided and maintained by the district.

  • NovaNET program, word processor and internet access to district lessons and links 

Student/Parent Obligations

  • Assigned study/work area for computer and note taking

  • Recommended standard school hours remain free of work and/or recreation

  • Commitment to four hours of learning time daily

  • Read and sign D-11 Acceptable Use Agreement for Computers

 

Parent & Community Member Resources

  


 

Teacher Resources

Partnership for 21st Century Skills - Bill Gates said that the nation's schools must take steps to ensure that curricula are engaging and relevant to students' current needs. He cited the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, of which Microsoft is a member, as a model.

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