Learning Enrichment & Achievement Program (LEAP)

Policies & Procedures


Purpose

To provide support within the GRACE community to equip, challenge, and inspire students with varied learning needs to achieve academic success.

Policies

LEAP serves GRACE students who have been evaluated by a licensed psychologist or physician for a learning disability, processing deficit, ADHD, or other condition affecting their ability to achieve success in the standard classroom environment.   Eventually the program will expand to serve students who have special academic gifting in one or more academic areas.  Specifications are forthcoming.

Program Criteria

  1. Cannot accept more than 10% of total student body into the program and no more than 15% per grade level
  2. Current GRACE students have priority for acceptance into the program
  3. The respective principal and the LD Specialist will determine admittance into the program and identify services to be offered
  4. Tutoring for academic enhancement alone is not a part of this program



Student Entrance Criteria

  1. Below grade level, failing or near-failing grades in one or more subjects  
  2. No more than two grade levels behind academically
  3. Has obtained a diagnostic evaluation (within three years) from a licensed physician or psychologist that shows demonstrated need for the program  
  4. Has submitted all previous testing materials to GRACE prior to program admittance
  5. IQ scores must fall within the average range




Procedures

For Students already enrolled at GRACE

  1. Parent and teacher discuss concern
  2. Teacher receives signed Observation and Assessment Consent Form.
  3. The teacher will then submit a Teacher Questionnaire Referral form to the LEAP Coordinator.
  4. The LEAP Coordinator will contact the child’s parents, set up a classroom observation, and obtain permission to conduct screening.
  5. The LEAP Coordinator will provide reports to the principal, parents, and teacher  regarding findings from the internal diagnostic screening.
  6. If a specific learning disability, processing problem, or developmental need is suspected, parents will be referred to a licensed child psychologist or physician for a full evaluation.
  7. Once testing results are received, they will be reviewed by the principal, teacher and LD specialist to determine what services should be recommended.
  8. The LEAP Coordinator, teacher, principal, and student (when appropriate) will meet with the parents to present the recommendations and an Academic Support Plan will be developed and appropriate fees will be charged for services.
  9. Quarterly progress notes will be sent home for the parents’ review.
  10. If program services ARE needed and the parent declines, a waiver will be signed.
  11. Students applying to CollegeBoard and ACT for services need to be part of LEAP and an Academic Support Plan will be developed.



For New Students

  1. If the child has already been evaluated, a copy of the evaluation must be submitted with the application
  2. The principal and LD specialist will assess whether or not a specific grade level can receive more LD students.
  3. If the child has not yet been evaluated and the principal suspects a learning difficulty after reviewing the initial application for admission, the LD specialist will be notified and given the student’s application to review.
  4. After reviewing the application, the LD specialist and principal will discuss whether the child requires further testing.  
  5. If further testing is required, the LD specialist will contact the family to request the child obtain an educational evaluation.
  6. LD specialist will contact principal to discuss results of evaluations and recommendations for the family which may include further psychological testing.
  7. LD Specialist will conduct and/or participate in the admissions interview
  8. LD specialist will meet with the family to discuss results of testing and recommendations
  9. If psychological testing is needed it must be completed before acceptance into the school or LEAP.
  10. If determined that the program is necessary for the child’s success in the school setting, the LD specialist, parent, and child’s teacher will meet to discuss recommendations and a Modified Academic Plan will be developed.
  11. Students applying to CollegeBoard and ACT for services need to be part of LEAP and an Academic Support Plan will be developed.