For students with learning differences, the challenge is not always understanding the material. 

It may be knowing where to begin, keeping track of assignments or getting the right support before frustration takes over. 

Novatio School — an Arizona-based private virtual school eligible for the state’s Empowerment Scholarship Account program — is addressing those challenges through its new Special Education Support Program. The program combines individualized planning, academic intervention, executive functioning instruction, teacher collaboration and regular family communication for students with learning differences, disabilities and other academic support needs.

The demand for that support is growing. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the number of students receiving services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act increased from 6.4 million in the 2012-13 school year to 7.5 million in 2022-23.

“Special education support should not feel like a collection of disconnected services,” said Karissa Ham, Novatio’s head of school. 

“Students do best when their teachers, families and support team understand the same goals and work together throughout the year. Our focus is on creating that consistency while helping each student build the skills and confidence to become more independent.”

Novatio’s virtual model combines personalized academics, live teacher support and project-based learning. The platform and academic structure are designed with a range of learning needs in mind, allowing many common accommodations to be part of the student’s everyday experience rather than added only when challenges arise. 

These include 30-minute classes, frequent breaks, learning presented in smaller, manageable sections, immediate feedback, individualized pacing, and text-to-speech technology. 

The Special Education Support Program adds another layer of structure for students who need individualized guidance accessing the curriculum, managing their work and progressing toward educational goals.

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The Novatio Special Education Support Program includes:

  • Evaluation and planning. Novatio reviews outside evaluations and educational records and assists with the development and annual review of IEPs and 504 Plans in collaboration with the student’s local school district.
  • Case management. Families receive quarterly progress reports and participate in regular meetings to review student growth, discuss concerns and adjust support as needs change.
  • Executive functioning support. Biweekly small-group sessions help students strengthen planning, organization, time management, task completion, study skills and self-advocacy.
  • Academic intervention. Students may receive targeted small-group academic support, including reading intervention, based on individual need.
  • Teacher check-ins. Additional one-on-one meetings help monitor progress, address academic or organizational challenges and keep students moving toward their goals.
  • Ongoing collaboration. Teachers and the support team communicate regularly about student progress, accommodations, instructional strategies and areas where additional help may be needed.

“A student can be bright, curious and completely capable while still struggling with the mechanics of school,” Ham said. “When we explicitly teach organization, time management and self-advocacy, we are giving students the tools they need to succeed in school and life.”

Novatio also offers a One-on-One Dyslexia Intervention Program for students who require more intensive literacy instruction. Led by master’s-level reading and dyslexia specialists, the program provides evidence-based instruction tailored to each student’s needs. 

Individualized dyslexia intervention may focus on:

  • Phonological awareness. Helping students recognize and work with the sounds that form spoken language.
  • Decoding and encoding. Building the skills needed to read unfamiliar words and translate sounds into written language.
  • Reading fluency. Strengthening accuracy, pacing and confidence while reading.
  • Reading comprehension. Helping students understand, retain and interpret what they read.
  • Written language. Supporting spelling, sentence development and the ability to communicate ideas in writing.

Enrollment in the One-on-One Dyslexia Intervention Program includes individualized literacy instruction along with all services offered through the Special Education Support Program.

Novatio’s programs are designed to support students academically and help them build the skills they need to navigate school with greater confidence. Families whose children also need services such as speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, counseling, mental health care or independent educational evaluations can continue working with qualified outside providers as part of their broader support team.

Rather than expecting every student to learn in the same way, Novatio creates a more personalized structure around each learner. Progress is monitored closely, support can evolve as needs change and families remain connected throughout the process.

For more information about Novatio’s Special Education Support Program or One-on-One Dyslexia Intervention Program, visit novatio.school or contact admissions@novatio.school.