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Sylvia is a big girl-she’s almost 15. But
her mind isn’t that old. Sylvia will
probably never be able to read "big
people’ books. But she already knows how
to take care of herself and she’s learning
some simple skills so she might be able to
get a job when she’s older.
What it is
Students with an educable mental
impairment (EMI) have a limited learning
potential. Their impairments have been
traced to factors such as brain injury,
birth injuries, epilepsy, disease. . .even
heredity.
Because of their limited intellectual
capacity, students with EMI have trouble
learning academic and social skills.
In addition, these students may have
difficulty in abstract reasoning; difficulty
with reading, math and writing symbols;
reduced ability to see cause and effect
relationships; trouble carrying knowledge
over from one situation to another.
Student Eligibility
To qualify for special education
programs as a person with an educable mental
impairment, a student must have all of the
following: Intellectual development which
falls at a level equal to the lowest 2% of
the population; scores within the lowest 6%
on a standardized test in reading and
arithmetic; lack of development in thinking
processes; and poor academic performance not
based on his social or economic background.
Services Available
Services are provided in special
classrooms, resource rooms within the school
and through teacher consultants.
Students who need to be in one place most
of the time are served in the special
classroom. Classes are available at all
grade levels, from elementary through
secondary.
For the student who needs extra support
in specific areas, teachers are available in
resource rooms. A student usually spends up
to a half of his or her day in the resource
room and the rest of the day in his regular
classroom.
Teacher consultants provide supportive
services to teachers of students with mild
impairments who stay in the regular
classroom all day.
All students receive personal adjustment
training, prevocational and vocational
training. The goal of all three types of
service is to help students make the most of
their individual potential and to become
self-supporting adults and contributing
members of society.
Program Location
EMI programs are available to every
local Macomb County school district student.
The type of service provided varies in each
district depending upon the needs of the
student. If the home district does not
provide an appropriate classroom program for
students with this impairment, the student
is transported to a nearby location that has
the program that is needed.
Where can I get more information?
Additional information about testing
procedures, available services, program
design, – in fact, anything you may be
curious about, is available from your local
school district
Department
of Special Education.
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