Learning Skills Program
INTRODUCTION
The Elementary School Learning Skills Program assists students who require additional academic remediation and support because of their individual learning needs. The overall aim of the Learning Skills Program is to offer the identified/eligible students this additional support and learning opportunities to build their academic skills and strengthen their approaches to learning, to better equip them for the school's academic programs. This may take the form of "pull out" (withdrawal) teaching or "in-class" (push-in or inclusion) support.
PROGRAM AIMS
- To identify students requiring remedial learning assistance through a process of screening and assessment;
- To provide remedial support to students identified as requiring learning assistance using a range of teaching methods and curriculum approaches; and,
- To ensure that appropriate wide consultation and subsequent documentation precede the development and delivery of programs for students with learning needs; and,
- To withdraw students for Learning Skills support when it is considered advisable and to develop a program with express commitment to maintaining the identified students' close contact with the program of their regular classes.
PROGRAM COMPONENTS
The following program components will generally be offered separately or in combination to students requiring the Learning Skills Programs:
Reading
Oral and Written Language (including spelling and handwriting)
Number facts
Operations and Algorithms
Problem solving
- Executive Functioning (Metacognitive Skills) Programs
This program is to support students gain control over their learning environments, helping students focus, make decisions, plan, sequence, problem solve, respond as required and follow directions.
Accommodations provide the means through which tasks, goals and outcomes are adjusted so the student can respond to instruction or complete work to capitalize on the student's skills and abilities. Different instructions and resources may be offered to meet the needs of the student's individual goals.
THE INDIVIDUAL EDUCATIONAL PLAN
Most students receiving Learning Skills will be in receipt of an Individual Educational Plan (IEP). The individualized plan will be written in one of a small variety of formats so that there is a written record of the aims or goals of the program, its activities and resources. The plan is developed from an understanding of the student's present level of educational and learning performance (the student's strengths, weakness, and learning styles). Assessments of progress and achievement are conducted periodically so that the IEP can be modified to meet the on-going needs of the student.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LEARNING SKILLS PROGRAM DELIVERY
The programs of Learning Skills are delivered to the identified students in either individualized or small group settings, or in their regular grade or specialist classes. In addition to this, grade-level and specialist faculty of students in the Learning Skills Program, are offered support by faculty of the Elementary School Learning Skills team so that their classroom programs can be designed to meet the various learning needs of the identified students. Families of students are kept well informed about programs and progress either through meetings or regular correspondence.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LEARNING SKILLS TEAM
Kevin Bateup-Bryan
Student Services Coordinator
Mary Power
Elementary School Learning Skills Specialist
Dana Ene
Learning Skills Teacher Assistant
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