Learning to Achieve: The Training

Learning to Achieve is an intense five-day training program designed to improve services to adults with LD. During that period, participants take part in a rigorous training opportunity that will help them work effectively with adults with LD. The training begins weeks before participants enter the classroom. Each is required to complete an online learning module on LD accommodations to supplement the face-to-face training.

• Course Objectives - By the end of this course, participants will:
  • Be knowledgeable about the most recent rigorous research as it relates to adults with LD
  • Have strengthened their training skills through practice with Learning to Achieve materials
  • Know the definitions of LD
  • Understand the concept of self-determination and how it can help adults with LD
  • Know the LD-related legal, confidentiality, and self-disclosure issues
  • Be able to identify the testing and instructional accommodations appropriate for adults with LD
  • Understand the testing and accommodation considerations for English language learners
  • Be able to discuss tutoring issues and instructional approaches for individuals with LD
  • Be able to describe considerations and strategies for teaching  basic reading to individuals with LD
  • Understand the instructional approaches specific to assisting adults with LD in learning academic content
  • Be able to identify issues adults with LD may face with writing
• Learning to Achieve Module Overview and Descriptions
  • Trainer Skills – Learn skills and techniques associated with effective training
  • Definition of Learning Disabilities – Discuss differences in the definitions of learning disabilities and the consequences for adults with LD
  • Self-determination – Consider ways in which service providers can support adults with LD in developing self-determination to achieve their goals
  • Legal Issues – Identify the legal, confidentiality, and self-disclosure issues that apply to service providers working with adults with LD
  • Accommodations (online) – Describe testing and instructional accommodations appropriate for individuals with LD
  • English Language Learners – Identify testing and accommodation considerations for English language learners
  • Tutoring – Review issues tutors can face as well as instructional approaches that can assist adults with LD in becoming successful learners
  • Basic Reading – Describe considerations and strategies for working with adults with LD who struggle with word recognition
  • Content – Learn instructional approaches that can assist adults with LD learn academic content
  • Writing – Identify issues adults with LD may face in writing and methods to support writing structure
• What Learning to Achieve materials will participants receive?
• Participants will receive a hard copy and electronic version of the training with scripted trainer notes and other related training materials from the National Institute for Literacy. 
• What are the participant requirements?
  • Complete the entire 5-day Learning to Achieve training
  • Enter an agreement with the National Institute for Literacy to disseminate the Learning to Achieve materials by training a minimum number of colleagues (that number will be determined by state officials in consultation with the Institute, and states will provide assistance in the recruiting process)
  • This follow-up training should cover 4-5 modules from the Learning to Achieve materials, and should take place within 6 months from the completion of the original training
• Who will pay for the training?
• The training will be at no cost to the participants.  The National Institute for Literacy will pay for the trainers, facilities and materials, as well as participants’ travel costs, hotel, and per diem.  States will make arrangements for substitutes, if necessary, during the five-day Learning to Achieve training and subsequent follow-up training given by participants to their colleagues. Participation in the training is not open to the public.
• How is this training different from Bridges to Practice or STAR?
• Learning to Achieve is replacing Bridges to Practice, the National Institute for Literacy’s previous training for practitioners who work with adults with LD. Learning to Achieve is based on the most recent rigorous research on LD. It addresses new topics such as English language learners and LD, provides a standard set of materials, and offers numerous opportunities to practice training techniques.
  
  The U.S. Department of Educations’ Student Achievement in Reading (STAR) project focuses exclusively on helping practitioners teach reading more effectively while Learning to Achieve covers a wide range of issues relevant to adults with LD.  The portion of Learning to Achieve that addresses reading instruction uses the same foundational reading research used in STAR so a consistent message is delivered. States may choose to participate in STAR or Learning to Achieve or both or neither.  Participation in the two programs is not linked.

Last updated: Thursday, 10-Sep-2009 14:16:55 EDT