Reading Resource

At St. Paul the Apostle School we are continually striving to meet the needs of every student. The classroom teachers differentiate instruction, as well as develop and administer interventions to create success for all students. However, sometimes there is a need for additional support outside the core curriculum presented by the student’s teacher. That is where our Resource Program can be put into action.

Today in education we hear a lot about RTI, which stands for Response to Intervention. So What is RTI?

RTI is the practice of:

1. Providing high-quality instruction/intervention matched to student needs
2. Using learning rate over time and the level of performance to make important educational decisions.
   as defined by National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE)

Therefore, when we see the need, we can choose from options we have in place at St. Paul the Apostle School to help each child reach their full potential.

Our Resource Program consists of these components:

• Individual, Small Group, and Classroom Support

The start of each school year begins the process of discussion and informal screening to learn what students would most benefit from additional support. With the focus on Response to Intervention (RTI), we most often decide as a team (homeroom teacher, resource teacher and parent) if a student would be best helped individually, in a small group, or in the classroom.
The on staff Resource Teacher coordinates materials and lessons to best meet the student’s needs. Progress monitoring will also take place throughout the year so as to determine the level of performance and to make any needed educational decisions.

• Lexia Reading, a computer based reading program

Lexia Reading was adopted by SPA in the fall of 2010. The program helps accelerate reading achievement while engaging students in highly motivating computer activities. These activities are in the areas of phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. This program is an exceptional intervention for meeting student’s needs and is statistically proven to be effective.

This technology piece moves us into an exciting new direction in helping to meet the needs of our students. It is a program that receives high praise. Statements made include: “students look forward to using it”, “keeps student’s attention and focus”, “it is quality”, “all children are successful”, and “age appropriate and engaging”.

Lexia is a program which increases reading skills and is a perfect companion to individual, small group, and classroom instruction. The staff Resource Teacher facilitates this program.

• Sensory Integration

A Sensory Program was added at SPA in the fall of 2010. This program is explained in part by understanding that our brain and nervous system constantly use a variety of sensory information for learning. The organizing and interpreting of sensory input is called sensory integration. Knowing that we all process sensory information in our own way, this processing directly effects how we interact, learn and regulate ourselves. Regulation can be thought of as the ability to attend, organize and maintain the correct activity level.

We established this program with the hopes of giving students a place to participate in supervised activities in an individual or small group basis. Further, with these activities we would see a development in better self-regulation, which in turn supports attention and alertness, making transitions, and improved learning.

The participation in this program is done in coordination with other resource offerings or on it’s own. It is facilitated by our staff Resource Teacher.

• School Social Worker

St. Paul the Apostle School has on staff the services of a Licensed Masters Social Worker one day a week. She meets with students who need coaching in academics, social and behavioral areas. She is also available as a resource to parents, teachers and classrooms. Finally, she collaborates with the Resource Teacher on staff, Christian Learning Center Network, and the Grand Rapids Public School child study team assigned to our building.

• Christian Learning Center Network (CLC)

SPA began a partnership with the CLC Network in the fall of 2010. Their reputation in the Midwest is one of knowledge, expertise and experience in all facets of education. They provide us with educational services in the areas of professional development, teacher consultations, student assessment and more. For additional information about what this team of experts offer visit CLC Network

• Grand Rapids Public School Support (GRPS)

SPA receives support from GRPS. Monthly meetings are held with the Resource Teacher, School Social Worker, and the GRPS team assigned to our building. It is at that time we can determine in a team approach if we are meeting the needs of all our students at St. Paul. The team can provide ideas and other interventions for teachers to try with their students. If needed, further support for a student is explored. The goal, as always, is determining what is best for the students.