The Gateway Learning Center

The purpose of the Learning Seminar classes is for students to grow into self-directed, independent learners. The program provides direct coaching to all students around the process of learning, helping them to gain insight into what motivates them and frustrates them. The unique approach of the LC program is weaved throughout all the students’ classes to help them transfer and integrate the skills in all areas of their schooling. Learning Seminar classes are scheduled for three times a week and taught by credentialed learning specialists.

Over the course of the year, the class will be covering the following topics:

• Organization and Planning for Success
• Self-awareness: Knowing Strengths and Advocating for Yourself
• Knowing Your IEP Goals and Accommodations
• Goal Setting
• Using Technology as a Tool
• Writing Strategies
• Comprehension Strategies
• Note-taking
• Preparing for Tests and Test Taking Strategies

Gateway Middle School believes in the inclusion of students identified with specific learning disabilities in the general education classroom. We are qualified to support students with mild to moderate learning disabilities such as visual, auditory, and graph-motor difficulties, ADD and ADHD, speech and language needs, and mild forms of Autism. Gateway does not offer Special Day Class (SDC) or an Inclusion Program.

Students who have IEPs are eligible to receive the following services:

• Study/Learning Skills classes 3 timer per week (limited to students with the greatest need);

• Consultation with Learning Center staff regarding accommodations, class schedules, graduation requirements, and tutoring;

• Collaboration with Learning Center staff and general education teachers to provide classroom/testing accommodations and ensure academic success;

• In-class support from a Resource Specialist or paraprofessional (according to student and classroom need).

Gateway Middle School uses a Response to Intervention (RtI) model to identify students who may have learning challenges due to a learning disability At any time during the school year, parents who have academic concerns about their child can request to meet with the Learning Center Director. Our monitoring system ensures that students are achieving and meeting expected outcomes and those who need additional support are identified. When a student is identified the Student Study Team (SST), comprised of the general education teacher(s), member(s) of the Learning Center staff, and the administrative staff (as needed), work together to discuss a student’s strengths, areas of concern, and to recommend interventions and accommodations that become part of an action plan. A case manager is designated to ensure that the action plan is implemented and that results are tracked and analyzed for progress.

The SST Team collaborates and recommends further psycho-educational testing as necessary, and complies by the stated timelines dictated by the district compliance regulations. Accommodations being requested for the exam are explicitly mentioned in the 'recommendations' section of the evaluation. Cognitive and processing scores confirm the existence of underlying processing deficits. Evaluation includes proof that the student actually benefits from the additional time being requested. The school must verify that the student has been using the accommodations being requested at school for the last four months.

Each of the following programs are installed on the Learning Center computers:

Inspiration

Inspiration is an application for creating concept maps and is especially effective for visual learners. Maps can be easily modified and rearranged as ideas develop. A click of the mouse transfers the diagram into 'outline' form. Alternating between the 'outline' and 'diagram' views is useful for examining logic, note-taking, brainstorming, and organizing ideas prior to beginning a rough draft. For more information and a free 30-day demo, visit www.inspiration.com.

Kurzweil 3000

Kurzweil 3000 is an interactive reading system that fosters reading skills and comprehension. Text is scanned into the computer, which creates an interactive reading environment. The application's main features involve reading material aloud and highlighting text. Other functions include note-taking, dictionary, and thesaurus. While students are welcome to utilize the computers in the Learning Center, materials can be scanned at school and read at home if a 'reader' version is purchased for home use. For more information, visit www.kurzweiledu.com.

Audio Files:

As a member of organizations like Bookshare, Learning Ally, and IMODS through the CA State Department of Education, Gateway has access to audio files and alternative print materials (ie: braille, large print) to make learning meaningful to students with disabilities.