Trinity Episcopal School Learning Lab
Lisa Cann, M.Ed., Director
The mission of the Trinity Learning Lab is to provide support for students with learning differences, reading difficulties, and/or dyslexia. This support is given on-site during the school day. A reading specialist will provide remediation in phonemic awareness, letter recognition, decoding, spelling, fluency, comprehension, handwriting, vocabulary, and oral and written expression.
This evidence-based program is based on the Neuhaus Education Center’s “Basic Language Skills” curriculum. The systematic and sequential approach is modeled after the Orton-Gillingham Multisensory Method. Students set the pace for learning, the tutor guides and measures their progress, and the students become more successful readers, spellers, and writers.
The main services provided in the Learning Lab are reading, spelling, and writing remediation. These therapies are taught through “Basic Language Skills” lessons. Students requiring extra instruction in handwriting may receive help through our “Handwriting Without Tears” curriculum. Those needing extra support in math will be tutored using our “Everyday Mathematics” program, as well as other supplemental programs.
The Learning Lab is available to any student in PK 4 through 8th grade. To qualify for services, students must be referred by the classroom teacher, and have a recommendation from the Beginning, Lower, or Middle School coordinator. Informal testing will be done in the Learning Lab. If more specific testing is necessary, families may be referred to an off-site diagnostician.
A schedule is set up for each student participant depending on the nature and severity of his or her needs. Instruction is then given in either individual or small group (2-5 students) settings.
Students may qualify for one of three programs:
- Prevention (1x per week): The classroom teacher starts to notice difficulties, and recommends a proactive plan to help a student keep up with assignments.
- Intervention (2-3 x per week): A student is struggling with grade level work, and the teacher feels that working with a tutor most days on a subject is the most efficient way to stay on target.
- Remediation (4-5 x per week): A student is identified with or is believed to have some form of reading disorder. Intensive daily instruction is the best way to insure that the student is progressing with retaining information and in skill development.
The Learning Lab is largely underwritten by a generous grant from the Eiland Family Christian Charitable Foundation. Consequently, our services are very affordable for Trinity families. Tutoring will be available for $9.00 per hour for Trinity students during the 2010-2011 school year. The services will be available for families not enrolled at Trinity for $30.00 per hour.