Learning and Literacy Program Evaluation

Project Overview:
The Learning & Literacy Program Initiative supports a new model of delivery in programming for students with learning disabilities. The initiative is characterized by students in Learning & Literacy (L & L) programs situated together with a community school class at a particular grade level. L & L teachers and Community School Classroom teachers’ team teach the blended class in all core subjects. L & L teachers are also available to deliver explicit, extensive and intensive instruction to L & L students. In addition, this initiative is designed to provide assistive technology as a vehicle for students’ to access necessary learning tools to accommodate their unique learning needs.

Research Questions:

• Are students in the L&L making improvements in their academic outcomes?
• To what degree have schools adopted each key components of the L&L model as outlined in Unlocking the Potential?
• Collaboration
• Meaningful parent involvement
• Identification and assessment
• Ongoing assessment
• Individualized program planning
• Accommodations
• Transition planning
• Self-advocacy
• Intensive, extensive, explicit instruction

Research Overview:
This research project employs mixed methods of quantitative and qualitative methodology with a strong focus on qualitative exploratory inquiry.

• Interviews with administrators
• Focus groups with teachers and students
• Parent survey
• Classroom observations
• Interviews with CBE program support personnel
• Examination of Student Provincial Achievement Testing (PATs)