Identification of Learning Needs
Did you know that by the end of a student's third grade year, continued success in school depends on fully developed reading skills? Maybe you've heard it said, "From Kindergarten to 4th grade a student learns to read, from 5th grade on, students read to learn". There is more than a kernal of truth to this. To that end, Saint Bernard's school community provides the best in early literacy instruction, focusing on the literacy needs of early learners in all subjects. Ocassionally, as is the case in all schools, a number of students show signs of struggle in their aquisition to gain reading skills. Some students also will show early confusion with number, counting or mathematic skills. And of course, now and then a child's social and behavior skills may be lacking to the point where it interferes with his/her own ability to learn academic skills and retain information. When this happens Saint Bernard's, partnering with parents, begin a process of Identification and referral.
When a student struggles, at any level, K-12, with learning, there may be a variety of reasons, but often the struggle falls into one or more of these categories:
PHYSICAL: Attention Deficit (ADD/ADHD), Visual/Hearing impairments, Speech, Cerebral Palsey or other motor coordination difficulties, Developmental Issues, Alergies, Asthma, Physical Disabilities, Epilepsy, etc.
EDUCATIONAL: Learning Disabilities (LD), Non Verbal Learning Disorders, (NVLD), Cognitive Impairments, Low Cognitive Ability, Learning Style, Test anxiety etc.
PSYCHOLOGICAL: Anxiety, Depression, Motivational Issues, Poor Self Esteem, Power Struggles with adults, Oppositioinal Disorders, Conduct Disorders, Personality Disorders, Social Difficulties, etc.
Some times the area of assessment can be narrowed by the process of elimination. Sometimes a holistic approach is necessary. Parents should understand that all of the above fields contain 'experts' who tend to view all problems through the lens of their particular training and experience in their own well defined disciplines.
According to federal law, a child with a disability means a child having:
"mental retardation, hearing impairment, speech/language impairment, visual impairment,serious emotional distubance, autism,
traumatic brain injury, other health impairment, specific learning disability, orthopedic impairment, multiple disabilities and who by reasons thereof, needs special educatiuon and related services".
What to do to get your child Assessed through the Saint Paul Public Schools
As a parent of any student in our school, from kindergarten through senior high, you have the right to ask the Saint Paul School District to assess your child for a learning disability if there are significant indications that point toward a difficulties with learning and gaining the skills needed to succeed in school. The Federal Child Find law allows that each local public school district must locate, identify and evaluate parentally placed private school students with disabilities.
If you suspect your child has a disability and you'd like to explore the possible of assessment and/or evaluation, contact your child's teacher. Let the teacher know all of your concerns. The teacher or you may then contact the Learning Specialist, Mrs. Strahan, who will take you through the process of contacting the district, and let you know what resources and options are available for you and your child.
