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Introduction to

Learning SupportsLearning Supports(Supporting the Learning Environment)(Supporting the Learning Environment)

May, 2005

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Learning SupportsLearning Supports Planning CommitteeJulie Barnd, School Social Worker

Roxann Dittmer, Partnership Consultant

Katie Goddard, School Social Worker

Daryl Hanneman, School Psychologist

Trish Schultz, School Social Worker

Anne Taylor, School Improvement Consultant

Denese Toomey, School Social Worker

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This online learning opportunity will:

• Present a brief introduction to the topic Learning SupportsLearning Supports for GWAEA staff

• Ask for input from staff regarding perceptions of how a systemic approach to Learning Learning SupportsSupports might affect your role at the AEA and in the districts and buildings you serve

• Provide staff with a learning opportunity at a time that is convenient, and doesn’t require time away from job responsibilities.

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AHealthy

SuccessfulStudent

Lear

ning

Sup

port

s

Serv

ices

Strong Academic Program

Positive Youth Developm

ent

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Learning SupportsLearning Supports Goals

• All children and youth in Iowa are…– successful in school – healthy and socially competent – prepared for a productive adulthood– in safe and supportive families, schools and

communities

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Background Information...

• Federal and state mandates such as No Child Left Behind, the Iowa Accountability Plan, etc. that require that all students succeed in school.

• Since 2003, a great deal of effort has been focused on academic areas such as math, reading, and science.

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Provides support for the academic development of students

Also has a history of providing support for the social, emotional, and behavioral development of students, including:

• The Iowa Behavioral Initiative (1996-1998)

• Success4 (1998-2003)

• Learning Supports Learning Supports (2004-present)

The Iowa Department of Education...

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To ensure that all students succeed in school, Iowa must:

• Increase student proficiency in reading and math.• Eliminate the achievement gaps.• Foster students’ social-emotional well-being.• Improve attendance at school.• Increase connectedness to school.• Increase graduation rates.• Decrease dropout, suspension, and expulsion rates.

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We must focus on:

– Improving instruction

– Enhancing the professional development of teachers and educational leaders

– Fostering the healthy development of students

– Addressing barriers to learning and teaching

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Learning Supports Learning Supports Definition:Definition:

• A wide range of strategies, programs, services, and practices that are implemented to create conditions and environments that promote student learning.

• Learning SupportsLearning Supports: : – Promote healthy development for all students– Prevent problems for students – Provide early interventions after the onset of problems– Address the complex, intensive needs of some students– Address barriers to learning– Ensure that all students have an equitable opportunity to

succeed in school

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Learning SupportsLearning Supports, , cont.cont.

• Complement the Instructional Decision Making Model (IDM) components:– Core– Supplemental– Intensive

• Complement the Iowa Professional Development Model (IPDM):– Focused– Ongoing– Research-based

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IDM, Academics, & Learning Supports:

Academic ActivitiesAcademic Activities Learning SupportsLearning Supports

Academic Activities Learning Supports

Supplemental Services

Some students

Intensive

Services

A few students

Core/School-wide ActivitiesAll students

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Learning SupportsLearning Supports, cont.

• In schools, learning supports may be provided by administrators, general education teachers, special education teachers, student service personnel, paraeducators, support staff, and other staff.

• Provision of learning supports, however, is not limited to school personnel.

• Families and communities also have critical contributions to make to the successful learning of all children and youth.

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Learning SupportsLearning Supports, cont.

• Six Content Areas:– Supplements to instruction– Family supports and involvement– Community partnerships– Safe, healthy, and caring environments – Support for transitions– Child/youth engagement

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The purpose is...

To enhance Iowa’s existing system of Learning SupportsLearning Supports

by

embedding it into the Iowa school improvement process

so that

all students have an equal opportunity to succeed in school

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Implementation of Learning SupportsLearning Supports leads to results such as:

• Enhanced academic achievement

• Improved school attendance

• Fewer behavior problems

• Improved interpersonal skills

• Better relationships between schools and families

• Better relationships for students, both at home and at school

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Learning SupportsLearning Supports

• A continuum of core, supplemental, and intensive support services which create and maintain safe and respectful environments in which: – teachers can teach– students can learn– parents and community partners can contribute

– successful social, emotional, behavioral, and learning outcomes are achieved

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Questions to Consider...

1. How do I ensure that my work aligns with and contributes to supporting student learning?

2. What actions am I taking to ensure that my resources and actions are integrated into a cohesive, efficient, and effective multi-agency system of learning supports?

3. What mechanisms and opportunities are in place at GWAEA to ensure that I am well-prepared to contribute to the success of all children and youth in school?

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Thank you for participating in this online learning opportunity.

Please click on the Zoomerang link below to give us your feedback.

http://www.zoomerang.com/survey.zgi?p=WEB224B56ED2YL