The Franklin Learning Center (FLC) stands as a dedicated public school facility in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, committed to providing exceptional special education services. As part of the Lincoln Intermediate Unit 12 (LIU 12), FLC offers a nurturing and inclusive environment where students with special needs are empowered to achieve their fullest potential. Through strong community engagement and collaborative efforts, the Franklin Learning Center ensures every student receives the support they need to thrive academically, socially, and personally.
About Franklin Learning Center: Vision and Mission
At the heart of the Franklin Learning Center is a powerful vision: to create an educational setting that is both inclusive and deeply supportive. The center’s mission, driven by the administration and staff of Lincoln Intermediate Unit 12, is to assist each student in unlocking their maximum potential. This is achieved through personalized education plans, a focus on community engagement, and a collaborative approach that involves families and support networks. FLC believes in fostering an environment where special needs students not only learn but also actively participate and contribute to their community.
Programs and Features Designed for Success
Franklin Learning Center boasts a range of specialized programs and facilities meticulously designed to cater to the diverse needs of its students. These features include:
- Heated Pool: Providing therapeutic and recreational opportunities, promoting physical well-being and sensory exploration.
- Sensory Integration Room: A dedicated space equipped to help students regulate their sensory input, fostering calm and focus for learning.
- Special Subject Teachers: Enriching the curriculum with specialized instruction in art, music, physical education, and swimming, ensuring a well-rounded educational experience.
- Pre-Vocational Lab: Equipping older students with essential vocational skills, preparing them for future independence and career pathways.
- Language Acquisition through Motor Approach (LAMP) Center for Excellence: Utilizing innovative approaches to language development, particularly beneficial for students with communication challenges.
- Kitchen Labs: Practical learning environments for developing food preparation and independent living skills.
- Sensory Garden: An outdoor space designed to stimulate the senses and provide a calming and engaging environment for learning and exploration.
- Fenced-in Accessible Playground: Ensuring safe and inclusive play opportunities for all students, promoting social interaction and physical activity.
- Facility Dog: Providing emotional support and companionship, creating a comforting and positive learning atmosphere.
- Verbal Behavior Approach: Utilizing evidence-based techniques to enhance communication and positive behavior development.
- PAES Lab: Offering hands-on activities for career exploration and skill development, further supporting vocational readiness.
Admissions and Placement at Franklin Learning Center
Placement at the Franklin Learning Center is determined by the Individualized Education Program (IEP) team, ensuring that each student’s unique needs are carefully considered. The decision-making process involves:
- Comprehensive Document Review: The IEP team thoroughly reviews relevant documents, including current Educational or Re-evaluation Reports (ER or RR) and the student’s current IEP, to assess the suitability of placement. Factors such as safety concerns and mental health needs are carefully evaluated. For Behavior Intervention classrooms, a complete Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) and Positive Behavior Support Plan (PBSP) are also required.
- Franklin County Placement Checklist: Utilizing a standardized checklist to ensure all necessary criteria are met for placement within Franklin County programs.
- Parental Involvement: A parent visit to the center and their valuable input are integral parts of the placement process, recognizing the importance of family collaboration.
Exit Criteria: Preparing Students for Future Success
The decision for a student to exit the Franklin Learning Center program is also made by the IEP team, focusing on the student’s progress and readiness for less restrictive environments. Exit criteria include:
- Demonstrated Skills: Consistent demonstration of sufficient social and communication skills, enabling self-regulation and appropriate expression of needs. IEP goals aligning with skills taught in less restrictive settings and a reduction in maladaptive behaviors are also key indicators.
- Consideration of Alternate Settings: If a student is not making reasonable progress on IEP goals, or if maladaptive behaviors consistently compromise the safety of themselves or others, placement in an alternative or more restrictive setting may be considered.
- Service-Specific Criteria: Exit criteria may be adjusted based on the specific type and level of services the student is receiving, ensuring a tailored approach to each student’s transition.
Comprehensive Support Services
All classroom programs within the Lincoln Intermediate Unit 12 offer a comprehensive suite of support services to Franklin Learning Center students, as needed:
- Data-Driven IEP Development: Ensuring IEPs are meticulously crafted and regularly reviewed, using data to track progress and adjust interventions effectively.
- Pupil Personnel Support: Access to social workers and school psychologists, providing crucial social-emotional support. BI classrooms benefit from a full-time social worker, while Dual Diagnosis classrooms receive targeted small group instruction and one-on-one support from school psychologists.
- Supervisory Expertise: Guidance and oversight from experienced professionals in the field of exceptionalities.
- Instructional Advisors: Specialized expertise in exceptional education to support teachers and staff in implementing best practices.
- Trauma-Informed and Restorative Practices: Staff trained in these approaches to create a safe, understanding, and supportive learning environment for all students.
- Research-Based Strategies and Standards-Driven Curriculum: Utilizing proven educational methods and adhering to rigorous academic standards.
- Behavior Analyst Support: Expertise in behavior analysis to develop and implement effective behavior intervention strategies.
- Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS): A proactive framework to promote positive behavior and prevent challenging behaviors.
- Transition Services: Comprehensive transition planning, including work-site opportunities within the building and the wider community, preparing students for post-graduation life.
- Independent Living Skills Instruction: Equipping students with essential skills for daily living and increased independence.
- Speech/Language, Occupational, and Physical Therapy: Providing specialized therapies to address individual student needs and enhance overall development.
Franklin Learning Center currently offers specialized programming for students from Kindergarten through 12th grade, encompassing Autistic Support, Life Skills Support, Dual Diagnosis, Multiple Disability Support, and Behavior Intervention for students from Kindergarten to 8th grade. This wide array of programs and services underscores Franklin Learning Center’s commitment to meeting the diverse needs of special needs students in Chambersburg and surrounding areas, empowering them to learn, grow, and succeed.
