San Lorenzo Unified School District: D.I.C.E.

Linda Freccero
lfreccero@slzusd.org
Student Support Services Counselor (510) 317-4763

Teresa Glaze
tglaze@slzusd.org
DICE Secretary
(510) 317-4895

D.I.C.E.

DICE Graduation

DICE Program Design & Features

OVERVIEW: The District Independent Contract Education (D.I.C.E.) program is an alternative educational opportunity for students within the San Lorenzo Unified School District. The program is designed to serve middle and high school students. Students are instructed by certificated teachers in individual and/or small groups. Direct instruction for each student is generally four hours per week. In addition to the direct instruction, students are expected to complete 18 - 30 hours per week of homework between teaching sessions. Students remain nominally enrolled at their home school and continue to work to fulfill their home school’s graduation requirements. Juniors and Seniors have the opportunity to be simultaneously enrolled in ROP and/or Adult School, and additionally, hold down part time jobs. Our students who have not been expelled from their home school are welcome to participate in their home school’s extra-curricular activities.

Pedagogy: Our students all have special needs and in keeping with the district's equity vision, we “provide for each student the academic, emotional, and social support needed” to improve their achievement. We create the net for some San Lorenzo youth who might otherwise fall through the cracks. The staff of D.I.C.E. knows and practices the pedagogy of personal rapport, emotional support, and individualized academic challenge.

HOW IS D.I.C.E. DIFFERENT FROM INDEPENDENT STUDY and home instruction? Students in the Independent Study program are seen one hour weekly during which time the teacher assigns and records work. Students are expected to complete large amounts of homework each week with little academic support. The students enrolled in D.I.C.E. need more direct instruction, supervision, motivation, and individualized attention than is offered by the Independent Study Program. Home Instruction is an alternative program for students confined to their homes due to physical disability, illness, injury or confinement for psychological or psychiatric reasons. Instruction is provided by a teacher in the student’s home or at the library. Students in the Home Instruction program are served 4-6 hours weekly, depending on their academic, physical or mental health status.

How many students are in D.I.C.E.? In the past 5 years D.I.C.E. has served more than 200 students per year and graduated a minimum of 27 students per year.

Strategies Employed:

Tailored individual instruction
Positive adult and peer interactions in a safe, low-stress environment
Capitalizing on student strengths to build positive self-worth
Self-awareness
Test preparation
Credit recovery
Reading and math skill recovery
Small group work
Authentic and traditional assessment
Personal responsibility and accountability
Goal setting
Organizational techniques
Citizenship building
Cross-age tutoring
Gang intervention
Conflict resolution
Strong student, parent, teacher communication and relationships
Collaboration with home school personnel, ROP personnel, and parole officers when appropriate

© 2010-2011 San Lorenzo Unified School District 15510 Usher St., San Lorenzo, CA 94580 (510) 317-4600 Phone
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