JANUS ACADEMY ANNUAL EDUCATION RESULTS

REPORT 2006-2007

I.            Accountability Statement

The annual education results report for Janus Academy for the 2006-2007 school year was prepared under the direction of the board of directors in accordance with the responsibilities specified in the School Act, the Government Accountability Act, Alberta Education Policy 2.1.1 (Accountability in education: School Authority Accountability”) and the provincial government’s accounting policies. The Board of Directors is committed to using the results in this report, to the best of our abilities, to improve the quality of education for students in our authorities. We will use the results to develop sound strategies for our three-year education plan to ensure that all our students can acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes they need to be self-reliant, responsible, caring and contributing members of society.

II.         Publication

Our Vision

"A leader in enhancing quality of life through innovative specialized education for children with autism spectrum disorder and their families"

Our Mission

"Our Mission is "To provide children with autism with an intensive and individualized education using proven and effective ABA teaching methods."

III.     Highlights

The 2006-2007 school year marked the tenth year of the Janus Academy Society being in operation and our second year of operation of our middle/high school program. Over the past year we have been able to expand the technology portion of our program by establishing a second computer lab at our middle/high school location as well as hiring an Assistive Technology Instructor to train our teaching staff. We have seen students benefit from technology assisted learning by providing a greater variety of appropriate software available to all the students, staff who were given comprehensive training on how to meaningfully engage the students and how to supplement students curriculum goals.

A second highlight to our program was the addition of a Training Coordinator to our educational team. This addition was to address one of our major challenges identified through the school improvement plan process. The Training Coordinator developed a comprehensive staff training program and provided hands on training within the classrooms. The benefit we experienced as a result of hiring a Training Coordinator was that staff were more confident in their teaching, student acquisition rates increased and the staff reported an improvement in thelevel of support they received.

IV.     Summary of Accomplishments 

External Services

·         All the students at our elementary school program receive some type of Speech pathology and/or Occupation Therapy either through SHP or REACH. Last year 7 of our students received SHP services on a weekly bases (SLP and OT). They were a great addition to the class and worked very closely in conjunction with the teachers and the therapists to reach common goals around enhancing social skills and identifying emotions. The remainder of tour students receives SLP and OT services through REACH on a consultative basis. Reach supported the staff and students by providing resources (equipment and written material) that assisted in meeting student goals.

Student Health Partnership

AISI project

§  2005-2006 marked the beginning of our 3 year cycle on our AISI project. The project focused on using computer technology to support and enhance those students who were involved in a literacy program. Specific software such as, Simon Sound it Out was purchased and five students followed the program in conjunction with their classroom instruction. The results showed that when computer technology is taught in conjunction with classroom curriculum the students are not only more motivated to learn but we noted a faster acquisition rate.

School Program

§  Each child’s program was individually designed to capitalize on the student’s unique skills and individual needs.

§  Each child was assessed once or twice a year using the ABLLS (Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills), where appropriate.

§  Each child was assessed once a year using the PEP-R (Psychoeducational Profile Revised) or the AAPEP (Adolescent and Adult Physchoeducational Profile), where appropriate.

§  Progress was recorded on a daily basis to ensure that students were improving and appropriate revisions were made.

§  Parents and teachers communicated daily and met three times a year to discuss their child’s progress.

§  Maintained 1:1/1:2 ratio for all classrooms both at the elementary site and the middle/high school site

§  Expanded vocational program through the addition of a rental site that was set up to teach prevocational skills.

§ Increase in integration programs and successful student transitions into typical classrooms.

§  Increase in community integration for Middle School Students to include Talisman Center and delivering flyers for the Calgary Sun.

§  Continued to support community agencies through the placement of practicum students.

SCHOOL GOALS AND OUTCOMES

GOAL 1: HIGH QUALITY LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL

GOAL 2: EXCELLENCE IN LEARNER OUTCOMES

GOAL 3: HIGHLY RESPONSIBLE AND RESPONSIVE PRIVATE SCHOOL AUTHORITY

Overall Assessment of Progress and Achievement

Janus Academy continues to provide intensive individualized education to students with autism and ensures that each student has access to the services they require.  The teaching staff participates in intensive and ongoing training to ensure that they have the skills to meet student needs and challenge student growth.  The teaching staff at Janus Academy utilizes a variety of instructional techniques including Applied Behavior Analysis, Errorless Teaching, distributed practice, direct instruction, cooperative learning, learning centers and information technology.

V.         Future Challenges

Priority Areas for Improvement

§  Continue to increase collaboration with other school jurisdictions in order to increase access to and quality of available services.

§  Search out new integration opportunities for our students.

§  Continue to revise and expand training programs for new and existing employees working with children with autism.

§  Continue to find appropriate community integration opportunities for our maturing students

§  Find appropriate pre vocational and volunteer opportunities for our maturing students.

§  Research and develop an alternate stream of programming for our students who are reaching Jr. High age and require continued classroom integration and core academics.

§  Expand computer software library for our Middle School students.

§  Locate affordable rental space for the middle/high school program

§  Improve staff retention

§  There is a need to hire a Speech Pathologist and Occupational Therapist on a permanent basis (not contracted out from other organizations).

§  There is a need to hire a part time grants writer and professional fundraiser to meet the growing financial needs of the school.

VI.     Financial Summary

Revenues                                     Actual from 2006-2007                Projected 2007-2008

Government Grants                       $740,248                                       $840,919

Tuition                                           $264,000                                       $304,000

Deferred Contributions                 $125, 105                                      $6,500

Summer Camp                              $34,246                                         $34,246

Donations                                      $228,644                                       $345,789

Other                                             $4,201                                           $4000               

                                                      $1,396,444                                    $1,535,449

Expenses

Salaries and Benefits                    $1,044,246                                   $1,268,793

School Supplies                            $85,229                                        $45,100

Rent                                              $89,213                                        $131,919

Operating costs                             $46,997                                        $51,390

Professional Development            $4,038                                          $4000

Summer Camp                              $34,247                                         $34,247                       

                                                      $1,303,970                                   $1,535,449

            Surplus (deficit)               $92,474                                       $0.00

The public can obtain budget and expenditure information regarding Janus Academy by contacting the Janus Academy, 2223 Spiller Rd SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2G-4G9