The 2019-2020 school year ended in a way that none of us could have predicted. When students walked out of their classrooms in March, they had no way of knowing that it would be for the last time that academic year. Since then, families have been grappling with “doing it all” in a way they’ve never had to before: moms and dads facing their own unprecedented work-related challenges while being parents, teachers, and IT specialists for their children as they finish out the school year.
As our thoughts turn to summer and a longing to return to “normal,” it is not too early to be thinking about what the 2020-2021 school year may hold. In fact, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) recently issued a bulletin to school districts about factors each district will need to consider as they plan for the next school year.
Click here to view the Adjusted School Calendar for COID-19 Response!
In it, the TEA cautions that students returning from summer break “could return nearly a full year behind what normally occurs.” Additionally, for the 2020-2021 school year, districts are preparing for planned short-term disruptions that adjust for learning loss. Things like earlier start dates, longer winter and spring breaks, and later end dates are all likely. Additionally, parents should be prepared for more remote learning and staggered in-person attendance. Right now, TEA is recommending six weeks of “intercessional breaks,” in addition to the typical breaks, “that can be used for remediation, acceleration, or enrichment, breaks required due to resurgence of COVID-19, and bad weather make-up days.”
This extraordinary situation calls for exploring creative and strategic ways for students to learn and thrive. One powerful avenue to consider is individualized cognitive training and targeted academic intervention. Learning Foundations, which has been helping students since 1969, is in a unique position to help—especially for parents who are concerned about disruptions in learning and the effects on their child, whether their student has struggled academically in the past or not.
Learning Foundations is well-known for its one-on-one cognitive training that targets processing skills such as attention, memory, processing speed, and visual and auditory processing. We specialize in dyslexia intervention as well, using a research-based, evidence-based Structured Literacy program that follows best practices for dyslexia reading programs. We also offer a leveled, multisensory math program, as well as more traditional tutoring in all subject areas. What you may not know is that since 2014, we have been providing these high-quality programs and services on-line as well as in-office. And with the advent of distance learning, we have become a good online resource for students who need help understanding new concepts and completing assignments at home.
Because our interventions are individualized and customized to each student’s unique needs, the best way to determine how we might help your family during these challenging times is to contact us to set up a free, no-commitment consultation. In that consultation, we will listen and learn about your student, about your concerns, what kind of help you’re looking for, and also determine any additional assessment that might be needed to form the best plan of action.
On a personal note: I’ve been a part of Learning Foundations for over 16 years, first as a cognitive trainer and dyslexia specialist and now as the Director of Assessment. Coming from a school psychology and public school background, what’s been most rewarding about working here is the individual attention we’re able to give each family and student—something that no school or traditional tutoring center is really able to do. The growth that I see in our students is about so much more than better memory and attention skills, improved test scores, or higher reading and spelling levels. It’s also about the real changes in how each student sees themselves as they start becoming more confident and independent learners. So now, more than ever, I’m excited about the opportunity to help and support even more students and families during these anxious and uncertain times. This whole situation has put in sharp relief how much we all need each other, and we at Learning Foundations look forward to being part of a strong support system for your family as we help you navigate this new terrain.
