What are Learning Assistance Services?
Learning assistance services consists of a team of teachers provided by the school to help classroom teachers with students with special needs. The school is responsible for stating the purpose of such services as well as the right for access to such services for every child who needs it.
According to the Ministry of Education in British Columbia, (2011)“Learning assistance provides a coordinated and integrated set of support services that include school-based consultation, collaborative planning and co-ordination in the school-based team, and instruction” (p.23). Learning assistance teachers help to facilitate the liaison of school-based teams and other support services outside of school. The learning assistance teacher is the “go-to” person once the IEP is set and everything else follows. |
The learning assistance services fall into three main categories; the first being instruction, then consultation and last assessment.
1) Instructional services:
The aim is to develop your child’s skills to allow him/her to adopt learning strategies beneficial to his/her understanding.
2) Consultation:
The team works collaboratively with the classroom teacher to adapt curriculum, instruction, or environmental factors. Parents are also consulted in regards to organizational skills to ensure that your child’s learning process is facilitated.
3) Assessment:
Different forms of assessment are conducted to form an IEP those of which are: Criterion-referenced or norm-referenced assessment, systematic observation of behavior, external information which may be of good use, and student interview.
1) Instructional services:
The aim is to develop your child’s skills to allow him/her to adopt learning strategies beneficial to his/her understanding.
2) Consultation:
The team works collaboratively with the classroom teacher to adapt curriculum, instruction, or environmental factors. Parents are also consulted in regards to organizational skills to ensure that your child’s learning process is facilitated.
3) Assessment:
Different forms of assessment are conducted to form an IEP those of which are: Criterion-referenced or norm-referenced assessment, systematic observation of behavior, external information which may be of good use, and student interview.