Beyond Learning and Literacy Initiative

The Beyond Learning & Literacy initiative supports students transitioning from System Learning & Literacy (L & L) programs and from Dr. Oakley School, to their community schools. The Beyond L&L initiative strives to ensure students continue to maintain their academic success and achievement levels by providing:

• Personal laptop computers
• Text-to-speech, speech-to-text and other supportive software
• A variety of professional learning opportunities and support for teachers and staff in the receiving schools
• An Inclusive Learning Technologies Specialist and Strategist who will build capacity by assisting educators in embedding technology into the teaching and learning process and meeting the unique learning needs of these students.

A pilot project for the Beyond L&L was started in Area V in the year 2008 that supported students who were transitioning from Grade 9 Learning & Literacy Programs in Area V to High School. There were approximately 24 students who were involved in this initial pilot project.

In the following year, the Beyond L&L initiative became a system-wide initiative and an additional 150 students transitioning from Grade 9 Learning & Literacy Programs to High School and Dr. Oakley School were provided with support. These students were enrolled in approximately 50 schools system wide from Grade 5 - 11.

The Beyond L&L initiative expanded to 76 schools in year two, with an additional 197 students transitioned from Dr. Oakley and Learning and Literacy. Support continues to be provided for teachers, school staff and students in year two of this initiative with the focus being placed on the development of strategies to personal learning for students with technology.