Struggling students from Saudi Arabia spend the summer at PRIDE

Struggling students from Saudi Arabia spend the summer at PRIDE

Saudi Arabian students with learning disabilities spend the summer at PRIDE Learning Center in Newport Beach, California.

PRIDE Learning Center is a very successful tutoring program in Southern California that for 10 years now has helped thousands of struggling students from all over the world learn to read using the Orton-Gillingham approach.   This approach is highly effective for children with reading disabilities, dyslexia, auditory and visual processing disorders and speech delays.

This multisensory program involves the use of visual, auditory, and kinesthetic-tactile pathways simultaneously to enhance memory and learning of written language.

The results have been impressive. On average, after approximately 100 hours of Orton-Gillingham instruction, students increase their reading levels by one to two entire grade levels.

Created in 2005 by reading specialist Karina Richland, the organization has expanded from one single location in Los Angeles to 4 learning centers in Orange County, California and numerous locations in private and public school sites. “Our big goal every year is to keep expanding,” says Richland. “People keep asking me if I like what I do. Providing help for students who need it the most and while also running a thriving business – what is there not to like?”

This one-on-one specialized instruction does not come cheap. Each program, which runs 3 hours a day for five days a week, costs approximately $1050 per week. However, it is almost impossible to argue with success. How else would PRIDE Learning Center attract students from places such as Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Japan and India, places where there is no such kind of specialized instruction, to attend the PRIDE program.

“We have numerous families from Saudi Arabia attend PRIDE every summer at our Newport Beach location,” states Center Director Tamison Andersen. “These families that come to us really appreciate the program and are so grateful for the improvement in their children’s reading abilities.”

In spite of the intensive learning environment, the teachers and staff at PRIDE make the summer sessions fun. “During break time we play games and the children run around the room playing hot potato and headbands. Many of our Saudi Arabian families sign up for a few weeks and then end up staying all summer long,” says Andersen.

Individuals interested in the summer reading programs at PRIDE Learning Center can call (949) 891-0125 or email info@pridelearningcenter.com or visit the website at: www.pridelearningcenter.com

It’s Parent-Teacher Conference Time! What should I discuss with my child’s teacher?

It’s Parent-Teacher Conference Time! What should I discuss with my child’s teacher?

Finally it’s parent-teacher conference time and you get that chance to sit down face-to-face with your child’s teacher. You have a lot that you want to talk about, and a limited amount of time. The better prepared you are going into the meeting, the more beneficial the meeting will be for both you and the teacher. Here are some questions you can think about and then ask your child’s teacher at the next upcoming conference to elicit information and make the rest of your child’s year more successful.

How is my child doing keeping up in class?

Start out by asking the teacher how your child is doing overall. Is he or she ahead, behind, or right on target indicated by grades compared with the average student at the national level? You might want to gain information about this level your child is at. Also ask the teacher if she or he feels that your child will remain at this level- and why.

What information and skills will my child be expected to accomplish by the end of the year?

All children, whether struggling, average, or gifted need to meet higher academic standards and expectations in school. Ask the teacher what your child will have mastered by the end of the school year in reading, math, science and social studies. If your child has already achieved those goals, ask the teacher if there are more challenging academic standards in place in this classroom. If the teacher answers “yes” then ask to please see these. If your child is struggling with the coursework then discuss with the teacher what specific remediation and support is your child receiving. Again ask to see the specific program and what is actually taking place to assist your child in progressing forward.

How are you assessing and monitoring my child’s progress?

Your child needs to be evaluated and monitored during the entire school year to determine progress, remediation needs and advancement of subject areas. During your conference ask your child’s teacher what kind of information he or she is using to evaluate your child and how often these assessments are conducted.

As a parent, what can I do at home to stay involved in my child’s academic progress?

Studies have shown that children who receive regular educational support and encouragement at home do better at school and tend to excel beyond the average.

All teachers welcome and encourage parental involvement, so now is the time to ask how you can help your child at home improve his or her areas of weakness and build on his or her strengths. Ask your child’s teacher to recommend some outside enrichment activities to support his or her learning aside from home and school.

Does my child have friends?

Academics are not the only subjects you will want to discuss with your child’s teacher. Find out how well your child interacts with others, participates in groups and shows value and respect to the teacher and classmates. Talk to the teacher about what you can do to reinforce these qualities, along with what academic lessons you can teach at home to help your child become a more well rounded person.

At the end of the meeting you will want to clarify and summarize all the points discussed during the conference. This way both you and the teacher are better able to develop a mutual understanding and agreement.


Karina Richland, M.A., E.T. is the Managing Director of Pride Learning Centers, located in Los Angeles and Orange County. A former teacher for Los Angeles Unified School District, Ms. Richland is a reading and learning disability specialist. Ms. Richland speaks frequently to parents, teachers, and professionals on learning differences, and writes for several journals and publications. You can reach her by email at karina@pridelearningcenter.com or visit the Pride Learning Center website at: www.pridelearningcenter.com

Dyslexia Center in San Clemente Raises Community Awareness

Dyslexia Center in San Clemente Raises Community Awareness

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month and PRIDE Learning Center and the International Dyslexia Association is sponsoring an event in San Clemente to help parents, teachers and individuals affected by dyslexia.

On Thursday, October 23rd at 7:00pm, the International Dyslexia Association will be hosting a large Dyslexia Awareness Event in San Clemente. The event will be held at Our Lady of Fatima Church located at 105 North La Esperanza. The evening will include speakers, information, resources and support.

PRIDE Learning Center, a local dyslexia tutoring company, will help the San Clemente community by participating in this October dyslexia event. This local learning center will have a booth at the event providing free assessments, free tutoring coupons, dyslexia resources and gift baskets.

We support Dyslexia Awareness Month,” says Karina Richland, owner of PRIDE Learning Centers. “We want to help increase the awareness of dyslexia in the South Orange County communities and advocate for the needs of individuals with dyslexia and their families,” says Richland.

Dyslexia affects a large part of the population. 1 out of every 5 children has symptoms of dyslexia, including slow or inaccurate reading, poor spelling and poor writing. Dyslexia is a language-based learning disability and is not due to a lack of intelligence or a desire to learn.

“We are so excited to participate in this event and help bring dyslexia awareness to the forefront and show that we at PRIDE Learning Center are here to help the children, families, teachers and professionals in the South Orange County community,” says PRIDE Learning Center owner, Karina Richland.

PRIDE Learning Center has four locations, San Clemente, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach and Redondo Beach.  For more information contact PRIDE Learning Centers at 866-774-3342 or visit the website www.pridelearningcenter.com.

Open House at the Redondo Beach Tutoring Center

Open House at the Redondo Beach Tutoring Center

You are invited to an Open House at PRIDE Learning Center in Redondo Beach!

 

September 19, 2014

10:00am – 2:00pm

PRIDE Learning Center is a non-public agency (NPA) providing high quality and cost-effective reading, writing, comprehension and math  tutoring services.  We are located in Orange County and Los Angeles and also provide on-site services as well.

  • Our teachers are all credentialed reading specialists with Orton-Gillingham Certification and strong special education backgrounds.

 

  • Our average student progresses one complete grade level in 4-6 weeks!

 

  • Flexible after-school hours, intensive reading therapy and fun summer camp programs.

 

Come to our OPEN HOUSE and meet our wonderful staff and learn more about our research-validated programs.  We will have light refreshments.

 

We are looking forward to meeting and networking with you!

 

Regards,

 

Cindy Ragsdale, M.Ed.

Redondo Beach Center Director

T. 310-322-2800 Ext. 6

Email: rb@pridelearningcenter.com

www.pridelearningcenter.com

Back to School IEP Help

Back to School IEP Help

PREPARE FOR THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR

As you and your child await the beginning of a new school year, now is the time to review your child’s IEP and determine whether the IEP proposed at the IEP meeting held last school year is appropriate for the new school year.   Children, especially younger children, can transform during the summer; physical development, new experiences and opportunities to engage with other children during the summer can significantly impact a child. Before your child begins school, carefully review his/her IEP and determine whether changes are in order.

If you believe revisions should be made, clearly identify concrete examples of how your child has changed. For example, stating, “My child is talking more” is not as helpful as, “This summer, my son starting using adjectives to describe things. I made a list of the ones I have heard him use and I will provide you a copy.” You should also identify what specific changes you are seeking.

Asking for “better goals” or “more services” will leave school staff confused, whereas, asking that a goal be developed in a certain area or that your child receive a particular service will allow your requests due consideration. A school district must provide a detailed response to parental requests to a change an IEP. If the changes are simple, you may be able to make those changes through an IEP Amendment without the necessity of a meeting. However, you are always better served to make a written request for an IEP meeting and cancel the meeting if it is not needed rather than request a meeting at the last minute. In California, a school district is required to convene an IEP meeting within 30 days of receiving a written parental request for an IEP meeting (prolonged periods where school is not in session generally do not count towards those 30 days). Ca. Ed. Code §56343.5.

EVALUATE AND PROVIDE INFORMATION

If parents find that changes in their child warrant changes to their child’s IEP, they should not hesitate to make their concerns and requests known to their school district. (One way to determine whether changes need to be made to the IEP is to mentally walk through the child’s school day to visualize how the child is doing across a wide array of settings, activities and events, and see whether the IEP provides the appropriate level of support for the child.) If you request an IEP meeting, prepare well for the meeting. Carefully review the IEP so you can specifically focus on your areas of concern. If you have documented information that your child has changed, provide it to the IEP team. Parents are also permitted to bring anyone they believe may have “knowledge or special expertise” regarding their child to the IEP meeting. Ca. Ed. Code §56341(b)(6).

THINGS TO LOOK FOR AS YOU REVIEW YOUR CHILD’S IEP

  • How has my child’s performance across activities, settings and events changed?
  • Are the components of the IEP prepared last school year appropriate for the new school year?
  • Should I request an IEP meeting to make changes to the IEP?
  • What documentation can I provide that will demonstrate the changes in my child and/or how the IEP should be changed?
  • Are there professionals or other individuals with specialized knowledge regarding my child that I should invite to the IEP meeting?

Michael E. Jewell graduated from Brigham Young University Law School and has been a practicing attorney for more than twenty years. He may be contacted by calling (714)-978-0110, emailing mjewell@jewellawoffice.com or on the web at www.jewellawoffice.com.

He has represented parents of children with all types of disabilities from autism through specific learning disability and traumatic brain injury and has represented parents in IEP meetings throughout the State of California. He has presented to both parent groups and professional groups. He has represented families at mediation, in due process hearings and in the United States District Court. Mr. Jewell has argued before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Mr. Jewell is married and the father of three children. He lived in Argentina for two years and is fluent in Spanish.

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