Learning Support Program

The Learning Support (LS) program strives to provide individual students with the support needed to find personal and academic success to reach their potential in the daily learning environment. Our goal is to help students learn how to advocate effectively for themselves and to function responsibly and independently.

Our goal is to help students learn how to advocate effectively for themselves and to function responsibly and independently.

What We Believe

Partnering with parents, other teachers, and our students to foster learning growth and development.
Promoting understanding and respect for cultural and individual differences.
Educating students with learning needs in classroom environments with typically developing peers to the maximum extent possible.
Creating a diverse learning environment that provides benefit for all learners, teachers, and our community.
Differentiated teaching, that includes appropriate accommodations and monitoring of student learning, fosters the most successful learning environment.
Cooperative planning between the LS coach, classroom teacher, and any other service provider providing the most impactful instructional delivery model.

How We Serve

The LS department coaches work closely with grade level teachers to design interventions that support the range of learning needs of our students. The LS program supports students in the academic content of their core-subject classes, as well as providing assistance with time management, work completion and organization.

The school is able to provide support, through a referral process, for a limited number of students with mild and some moderate learning needs.

Types of Support

Support can be provided through a combination of teaching models including in-class support, small group pull-out instruction or Core Support classes, co-teaching, and one-on-one instruction as necessary. It is important to note that no formal Learning Support services are available at the high school level at this time.

Concordia employs an online Educational Psychologist, who is an important member of our student support services team. Concordia's Educational Psychologist works with students, families, teachers and counselors to create a safe and supportive school environment for all students. She assists students at all levels, from preschool to high school, and acts along with division counselors and Learning Support Coaches as advocates for students’ well-being, and as a valuable resource for their educational and personal advancement.

Concordia does not currently employ a Speech/Language Pathologist, or Occupational or Physical Therapist. While some of these supports can be provided on our campus through an outside service provider, they come at an additional cost to the family and Concordia is not responsible for the quality or range of support given through these services.

Admissions/Placement/Exit Criteria

To provide a diverse and optimal learning environment for all classes, the number of Learning Support students is monitored in each division. Curriculum-based assessments are administered as part of the admissions process and can include scores in the core subject areas of math and literacy. If a student is applying to join the Concordia school environment and has a history of previous support, the family should provide any and all specific details or documentation at the time of application, in order to ensure a match between the student’s learning needs and levels of support available at Concordia at the time of application.

Outside assessment by a certified professional is required for entry into the Learning Support (LS) program. All students identified as Learning Support receive an individualized Specialized Plan (SP) which includes accommodations and goals to meet their needs.

In making a decision to place or exit a student in the LS program, the following may be considered:

Any identified/diagnosed specific learning need.
Any previous school IEP/504 documentation
Student’s ability to access and perform at grade level standards in the core subject areas.
Student’s ability to follow along and participate in the classroom lessons and activities with or without scaffolding and/or modifications.
Student’s confidence and ability to work independently.
Student’s performance and work samples, including report cards, internal grade-level assessments, progress towards SP goals, standardized assessments, and teacher recommendation.

Parents should note that admission to one grade does not guarantee admission to the next grade given that a child’s learning needs may progress beyond the scope of Concordia Learning Support services.

Reporting

Students (grades K-8) receive LS progress reports at the end of each semester (twice annually) via the report card. In addition, Specialized Plan (SP) goal progress is assessed and reported in late October and early April. Parent/teacher conferences are scheduled twice during the school year and LS coaches may be present at an LS student’s conference. Any additional conferences with LS coaches may be arranged at any point during the year. Parents, LS coaches, and classroom teachers are encouraged to communicate any questions or concerns as they arise.

Parent Involvement/Support

We recommend the following strategies to support your child’s learning both at school and home:

Praise your child’s efforts and commitment while acquiring new knowledge- don’t just focus on grades.
Read to or with your child every night.
Make sure your child has an appropriate study space in the house.
Be aware of the school’s academic expectations and monitor homework and assignments.
Ensure that your child is getting the proper amount of sleep (school-aged children need anywhere from 9-12 hours of sleep per night).
Model to your child how much you value education.
Provide regular opportunities for meaningful conversations between you and your child.
Encourage your child to be responsible and to work actively and independently.
Get your child involved in Concordia’s co-curricular activities.
Monitor TV viewing and video game playing.
Maintain a consistent and reasonable schedule at home.
Give your child age-appropriate jobs to do around the house.
Maintain close contact with your child’s LS coach and classroom teacher(s) (send an email or write a note).
Ask for help if you do not understand something or have questions/concerns. The Concordia faculty and staff are here to help you!