Running head: SERVICE LEARNING REPORT

Service Learning Report:

Ivy Tech Community College
Jayme Belk
April 12th, 2015

My service learning opportunity was very educating. It gave me the opportunity to

observe things that I have studied be implemented and vice versa. Located in the midst of a fine
houses and a once thriving community is a suffering minority school. Arlington Community
High School holds grades 6-12 and has ran through authority figures more than twice in the past
three years. Once apart of IPS the school then dropped and picked up by the state, and eventually
categorized as a turn over school. Turn over schools are constantly monitored based on
performance and behavior in order to stay open. Nevertheless, the schools administrators do
what they can to make sure the building is safe and offers quality education to the students.
Principal Alicia Hervey, whom happens to be one of the closest common view holders I
have met thus far, has been at Arlington during most of its transitioning. Gracefully filling such a
stressful role it is easy to see that the students respect her and know that she wants them to
achieve. She along with the schools special education coordinator approved my visits in hopes
that I would be able to serve as a helping hand and indulge in a beneficial experience. Both
ladies warned me that the program may be a little different from others but that it would be at the
least an eye-opener to how special education classroom are ran.
The classroom that I served was self-contained, meaning the students `are in one
classroom all day. There are approximately 12 students. Their ages vary as well as their
educational level. This makes instruction very complicated which makes it equally beneficial that
there is a teachers assistant available. Mrs. Frazier seemed to have a very good bond with the
children and was able to connect with them in order to proceed in instruction. Frazier says that
she has always saw a need to help those with disabilities even going back to when she was a
student in class with the. She now attending IUPUI in order to receive her special education

degree. Her family is filled with teachers and she has always had a passion for education in
general.
Routine is something that is highlighted in the classroom daily. Students know what to
expect and are prompted when there is any change. The schedule consist of all subject areas just
as a traditional classroom would.

English
Math
Life skills
Lunch
Gym
Reading
Social Studies
Science

Behavior is constantly enforced with a money management system. Students are to add
money amounts to their tab whenever they do something that is undesirable. Student tabs are

counted by them as an additional math review. Violations and Fine amounts are posted in the
room.

Students also know to operate in SLANT at all times.

Both the Devance and Frazier have a country dialect that I feel may not be best for the
students they speak as if they are amongst friends using tons of slang, instead of in front of
special needs students. Most of the students have trouble pronouncing and speaking properly in
general. As the facilitators of the classroom they should enunciate their words. Both ladies also
talk at a face pace most of the time. Their instruction would also be more effective if they spoke
slower. I observed slower speaking by Frazier to a lower level student and realized that maybe
her mindset is based where she believes that not all the students require that tone and pace.
Meanwhile potions of the class had repetitive questions and similar misunderstandings.
Mild accommodations are made for the students. Although they are mild they are
effective. One student with temper problems got a little overwhelmed and went to go sit in the
class reading area to calm down. This area is set up to be relaxing and comfortable for the class.

Another area used to accommodate and manage the classroom, is the computer station.
Students are given time to play education games on them if they are done with their work and/or
they need time to themselves.

Mac computers provided to the school on grant provide an excellent technology basis for
the classroom. Students work on programs like Reading Bear, and Khon Academy (math
assistance). What the class did lack was software that monitored the students performance
individually, demonstration the childs progression throughout the school year. There was also no
place for parents to electronically go in to communicate with the teacher and view their childs
grades. Sitting these thing into place would improve communication and therefore allow
everyone to work as informed and concerned individuals towards a common goal.
I think the best thing for this program and fro the school as a whole is to be educated on
proper conduct and to be funded more. I noticed that there is a lack of teachers and staff in
general. Anytime there is a hindrance to that effect the school is going to suffer. During my time
there I was informed that the school will be put back into the hands of IPS come next year. I am
not sure what this move means but it certainly means new methods and new instruction,
something that those with special needs to not respond well to. Ultimately I consider my
experience to be a learning experience. I look forward to visiting the students on a later notice to
follow up on their progress.