About Us

Philosophy of Education SAU #48

SAU #48 is committed to providing an education that fosters productive individuals and recognizes student differences.  Embodied in this commitment is the responsibility to provide an educational environment that offers opportunities for all students including those with disabilities or with particular strengths.  This environment should also stimulate students’ personal growth and encourage their contributions to the community.

Any programming designed to meet individual needs and recognize differences in learning style, rate and level of interest.  Programming should include flexible but comprehensive curricula within each discipline and in cross-discipline studies.  These studies should allow for both vertical acceleration and horizontal in-depth study and research.  Programming may require innovative scheduling, grouping that reflects varied ages, skills and interests, and multiple teaching strategies implemented by regular and special education staff, related service personnel, mentors and resource professionals.

WE BELIEVE:

• ·        All students should be challenged and nurtured.

• ·        Nurtured students exhibit strengths in many areas, including visual art, music, dance, drama, math, social studies,

   science, language, athletics, social interaction, leadership, creativity, interpersonal skills, communication and technology.

• ·        Identification and assessment of student strengths should be documented.

• ·        Identification and assessment of student strengths should direct instruction.

• ·        Strengths are dynamic, not static.

• ·        A variety of learning options are required to meet programming needs.

• ·        All students need to be able to analyze, research, and solve problems.

THE PROGRAM SHOULD:

• ·        Foster problem solving and creative thinking skills.

• ·        Develop self-directed learning (student-based research).

• ·        Encourage development of self-awareness, personal strengths, and social responsibility.

• ·        Promote students’ self-esteem and realistic assessments of individual strengths and weaknesses.

• ·        Prescribe particular curriculum for individual needs.

• ·        Allow for peer-group interaction both in homogeneous and heterogeneous settings.

• ·        Help develop future career expectations and skills.

• ·        Provide opportunities for students to discover their interests and strengths.

• ·        Explore learning opportunities from a variety of sources and areas.