SHINE ON ACADEMY

Hope. Joy. Success.

Shine On Academy is a year-round special education program that offers highly individualized and differentiated instructional programming for all students. We use evidence-based instructional curricula and collect data on responses and behaviors. We use behavior analytic techniques in our teaching strategies and make only data-based decisions about student programming and progress. We offer an instructional program that follows the North Carolina Standard Course of Study, Extended Program of Study, and Occupational Course of Study by grade level and modify and adapt it to meet the needs of individual students.

Goals and Objectives

  • Evidence-Based Practices: We only use evidence-based instructional and behavior support interventions, systematic data collection, and focus on data-based decision-making for all student programming.

  • Compassionate & Trauma Informed ABA: We seek to recognize and be aware that individuals we are serving may have a history of trauma, and we avoid any intervention techniques that may trigger them based on their past trauma history. Additionally, we approach all of our students and families with compassion and seek to understand the external stressors they may be facing. We avoid the use of aversive and punishment procedures. We gain consent from our families and students themselves and engage our students in deciding their learning goals.

  • Collaboration: We seek to collaborate with families, local school districts, medical providers, and related services providers to ensure all members of the child’s team are working toward the same goals.

  • Individualized Instruction: We design and implement individualized instruction to the student and their learning style, preferences, and needs. We assist in assessing and writing the student’s annual Individualized Education Plan (IEP) to meet their individual needs and continually monitor progress to ensure they are being educated in the least restrictive environment.

Learning Environment

Shine On Academy provides high student-to-teacher ratios and individualized 1:1 support on a case-by-case basis. Shine On Academy complies with the minimum teacher-to-student ratio required by the Policies Governing Services for Children with Disabilities. Our classroom sizes are small, with about eight students per classroom, alongside one special education teacher and two instructors, with the overall goal of at least a 1:3 ratio for instruction and behavior support. Additional support services of 1:1 aides are also available on a case-by-case basis.

Staff Training

All staff at Shine On complete the Registered Behavior Technician training (RBT) within the first 90 days of hire. Staff are also trained using the Safety Care model of crisis intervention, focusing on safety, de-escalation strategies, and the use of least restrictive procedures at all times. Ongoing staff training and professional development as required by DNPE and DPI. Staff will also receive training in Trauma Informed ABA and Compassionate approaches in ABA. All staff will receive training in special education law and service delivery as required by the NCDPI.