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In the Explore Program, we believe Psalm 139:13-14: For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
As the Explore Team we assist students with learning differences. Our goal is to help students who struggle in school to become students who excel in school. God has created each child with unique characteristics and we work with the classroom teachers to meet those educational needs here at CCA.
Who: Our team currently consists of Academic Language Therapists and trained Math Instructors. We work with students individually or in groups of two or three. The Explore Program is designed for students who have an identified learning difference.
What: This program assists students in kindergarten through eighth grade with learning differences in reading, writing, spelling, language, or math. Since learning differences affect students in every aspect of their life, we attempt to minister to the student and the family. Aid is given through remediation, classroom accommodations, teacher education and resources for the family. Our team works with the teachers and parents to prepare and implement a Learning Assistance Plan (LAP) that maximizes classroom success with individualized accommodations and modifications. The plan is reviewed annually by the teachers, therapists and parents to evaluate academic performance and to challenge students to perform to their full potential.
How: When there is parental or teacher concern about performance in the classroom, a student can be referred for a math or language arts screening. Each screening cost is $50. After the screening, we sit down and discuss the results with the parents and the classroom teacher. Once a child is identified with a need that we are equipped to serve, we work with the teachers to find a time during the school day for the student to receive services on campus. We provide therapy four days a week for fifty minutes per day, using remedial courses developed to teach literacy and/or math skills with a structured, sequential, systematic and multi-sensory approach.
Types of Therapy
Academic Language Therapy:
We use Alphabetic Phonics or Multisensory Reading and Spelling to teach our language arts students who have an identified need. The program was developed by Aylett Cox, Lucius Waites and staff at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital, Dallas, TX. This is a structured system to teach reading, spelling, writing, comprehension and oral to written expression with an emphasis on the alphabet and phonics. It is designed to teach individuals who are intellectually normal, but have difficulty in auditory, visual, and/or kinesthetic recognition or memory. It meets the needs of every kind of learner.
Math Remediation:
For assistance in Math, the trained therapists use Semple Math by Janice L. Semple, M. Ed.; Hands On Equations by Henry Borenson, Ed. D.; Word Problems Made Easy by Otter Creek Institute, as well as individualized tutoring to supplement the classroom curriculum, using multi-sensory techniques to build a firm math foundation.
Speech:
Speech services are available through a private Speech Pathologist.
If you already know that your child has a learning difference, or if your child currently has an Individual Education Plan (IEP) with the public school, it would be helpful to bring that paperwork along with you when you visit our school. The public schools are mandated by law to develop an Individual Education Plan (IEP). Central Christian Academy writes and implements a Learning Accommodations Plan (LAP) because we want to partner with the family to educate and equip students to reach their full potential!
Testimonies:
Over the years, students, teachers and parents recognize the success and confidence gained by participating in the Explore Program. The following comments attest to the success of our program:
"As a third grade classroom teacher, I am so thankful for the wisdom and input that the Explore team gives to my students. When a child needs help in language arts or math, he/she is able to receive one-on-one instruction. This is so valuable in helping the students gain knowledge through a different avenue than classroom instruction. I’ve seen my students blossom in confidence and ability. Our Explore program really does give the student a way to be successful in school." (K.B.)
"I feel the Explore team is a great addition to CCA. I had a student in my classroom who was diagnosed towards the beginning of the year with ADD and dyslexia. I have seen this student before the Explore program began, and the effects the program has made. This student came into my room with no confidence, very little interest in learning or staying on task, and an attitude of perfectionism for her expectations of herself. It has been so neat to see her confidence grow in herself as she has learned to overcome the problems and tasks she might face. To experience this first-hand has been so encouraging. Her work ethic now is the strongest in my entire class. She has not only been taught the alphabetic phonics training, but she is being taught life lessons of problem solving." (L.B.)
"Hi my name is Allie and I am in the eighth grade. I have been in the Explore Program since second grade. Some of the areas I used to struggle in were spelling, math, reading, and grammar. Reading was not my favorite subject. For example, when the teacher asked for a volunteer to read I would avoid eye contact or go away from my desk. Now in eighth grade I am comfortable reading out loud. I volunteer and make eye contact with my teachers. Explore has prepared me for many years to come and has truly made me a better student. I am now able to apply what I have learned in Explore and use it in my every day classes. Next year when I go to high school I feel that I will be well prepared for the challenges to come."
Explore is an extra-fee based program. Need-based financial aid is available.
For more information about the Explore Program, please contact Rebecca Terronez at (316) 688-1161 or rterronez@ccalions.org.
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