Learning Support
Learning Support is provided for students identified with some form of learning difficulty. Support is offered for problems related to all aspects of learning, including academic, social, and behavioral issues. The LS department is dedicated to offering children with the tools and resources required to succeed in their personal and educational development. Parents are invited to participate in the process of initial assessment, on-going planning and the implementation of an appropriate support program.
Support may take the form of advice and/or guidance for class teachers and parents, in-class assistance, or student withdrawal for individual or small group instruction. Assistance in class is coordinated by the Learning Support department, who prepare differentiated teaching and learning materials. They collaborate with subject teachers to provide meaningful Individual Learning Plans.
It is not the policy of the school to withdraw students from the classroom for long periods. It is preferred that all students have access to our broad, balanced curriculum. Thus, the support team attempts to offer a flexible program responding to the individual needs of the student.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Learning Support at ISZL, on the Zug Campus?
Learning Support is a service provided for students with an identified specific learning difference. This service involves consultation with class teachers and parents, in-class support, and/or pull-out sessions.
In the Primary School, pull-out lessons often occur during German times (for students not in the German program) or as necessary, during regular class times after consultation with the class teacher. In the Middle School, pull-out sessions occur during the French program (for students not in the French program), twice weekly. In-class support is arranged across specific classes as needed, and depending upon Learning Support staff resources.
Who works in the LS department?
The department is made up of Special Education teachers, regular education teachers, and teaching assistants.
What is the referral process? Who is eligible for Learning Support (LS)?
If a teacher is concerned about a student’s progress, either academic, social or behavioral:
1) The class/homeroom teacher obtains a referral form.
2) When completing the referral form, if the teacher notes that the student is currently in the ESL program, the ESL Coordinator is first contacted for a filtering/language history report.
3) After the filtering process is complete, and only if the ESL department feels there continues to be a need for the referral to continue to the Learning Support department, the teacher submits the completed referral form to the Principal for approval.
4) LS Coordinator receives completed referral form and reviews; if no further clarifications are needed, the form is distributed to the relevant LS staff member.
5) LS teacher coordinates with class teacher and conducts one or two observations.
6) LS teacher writes up observation/s, discusses observations with classroom teacher, and provides in-class accommodation suggestions, and further recommendations.
7) Letter/email or verbal communication with parents, to inform and suggest recommended course of action.
What testing does the school provide?
The department conducts some academic achievement testing (reading, math, writing, spelling) when schedules permit. There is little cognitive ability or diagnostic testing done on the school site.
What are some of the available external resources?
The department maintains a current list of available external professionals, including psychologists, educational psychologists, occupational and speech therapists.
Who refers parents to external specialists?
The Learning Support teachers make recommendations to parents of students that have been formally referred.
Are services provided for ESL students who have an identified learning need?
ESL students with an identified learning need have already had diagnostic testing, and a diagnosis has been confirmed. In the Primary School, if students are in the ESL program, support will most likely be provided in class. Students with very limited English may require a program developed in collaboration with ESL teachers. In the Middle School, ESL students must have exited the ESL program in order to receive pull-out sessions of Learning Support. In-class support is arranged across specific classes as needed, and depending upon Learning Support staff resources.
In what circumstances would students have intensive, personal assistance?
Some students may have a more significant identified learning need, one that requires full- time assistance in order to function in the school setting. Students with significant physical, cognitive, auditory, or visual impairments, and students with behavior disorders, are examples. In these particular circumstances, the school makes specific arrangements with parents in order to provide the necessary support. The Learning Support resources of the school are generally not equipped to manage intensive support of individual students.
