Teaching and Learning Center launches program to support Lower School students with language-based learning differences

Beginning this fall, the Lower School’s Teaching and Learning Center will offer a program called Read 2 Succeed, specifically designed to serve students with identified language-based learning differences and help them maximize their full potential in learning and in life.

“Students with language-based learning differences often have difficulty learning even though they possess average to above-average cognitive abilities,” said Lisa Goldin, director of the Teaching and Learning Center. “Our goal with this program is to help these students reduce the gap between achievement and their potential. By giving them the tools they need to overcome these language-based challenges at an early age, we hope they will be more confident in drawing upon their strengths and talents to help them succeed in school and in life.”

Students enrolled in the program must have academic testing that indicates a language-based learning difference. These students will participate in a Read 2 Succeed class during the regular school day that will provide them with learning strategies to help them succeed. The class will have a teacher-student ratio of 1:6, allowing for more individualized instruction. Some students may spend more time in the class than others, depending on their needs. However, all students enrolled in this program will spend a portion of their day with their peers to ensure that they are an integral part of their class emotionally and socially.

Directed by Lower School Learning Specialist Renee Hutchins, instruction will be based on the Orton-Gillingham Method, a multisensory method that incorporates visual, auditory and kinesthetic instructional methods to assist students in developing foundational reading skills. Hutchins is a member of the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators.

“Language-based learning disabilities are problems with age-appropriate reading, spelling and/or writing and often affect a student’s ability to process information,” Goldin explained. “This disorder is not about how smart a student is. In fact, most people diagnosed with learning disabilities have average to superior intelligence. Language-based learning differences are caused by neurological difference and are often genetic. They do not include learning problems stemming from mental retardation, autism, emotional disturbance, physical handicaps or disadvantages in the home.”

The Read 2 Succeed class consists of diagnostic and prescriptive instruction based on the needs of the student using direct and explicit instruction. By incorporating multisensory activity in each lesson, students will gain a deeper understanding about their language. Class instruction will keep them intellectually stimulated while learning the structure of language. Curriculum will focus on intensive instruction of vocabulary and reading of printed text. Students who demonstrate a mastery of foundational skills will transition out of this class and back into the traditional classroom. 

According to James Milford, associate headmaster and director of admission, this program will be the first of its kind in northwest Georgia. He added that all participants will need to meet Darlington’s admission requirements in order to get into the program.

“The fact is, we have students currently enrolled at Darlington who will benefit greatly from this student-centered program,” Milford said. “It is right in line with Darlington’s mission to empower all of our students to learn with passion. Independent schools across the country are launching programs like this to ensure that they are reaching each and every one of their students early enough to ensure their success, and we are excited to be one of them.”

In addition to the Read 2 Succeed program, the Lower School Teaching and Learning Center will continue to offer a wide array of programs to benefit all types of learners. An additional learning specialist will be hired this fall and both staff members will partner with students, teachers and parents to ensure the success of every student at Darlington.