Wilmington Christian Academy has a new Resource Center!
If you are in the Wilmington, North Carolina area please stop by for a visit!
Help on the Go!
Extraordinary Expectations now has an open group Facebook page to facilitate discussion and networking across states in a fun and user-friendly format. Post questions, suggestions, resources, and upcoming events to quickly inform others of what is happening in Christian special education across the nation. We look forward to hearing from you!
NC Senate Passes Bill 269
Raleigh, NC: On Thursday, July 19, 2013 the NC Senate passed a bill that would allow parents of students with learning disabilities the financial freedom to choose the best educational venue for their child. If a child's needs are not being met in the public school system, his parents will be eligible for $3,000/semester/child to pay for appropriate private education.
Felicia Prease and April Coggins have worked tirelessly for 18 months to get this bill on the Senate floor. Thursday their dream took one more step toward reality as the Senate voted 36-6 in favor of this bill. If you would like to contact your local House representatives to push this through the NC House, Felicia Prease can give you the needed contact information.
This is an exciting step for private special education in NC! God is faithfully looking out for His children as Christian schools are beginning to step out in faith to create programs that will meet the needs of all learners.
Felicia Prease and April Coggins have worked tirelessly for 18 months to get this bill on the Senate floor. Thursday their dream took one more step toward reality as the Senate voted 36-6 in favor of this bill. If you would like to contact your local House representatives to push this through the NC House, Felicia Prease can give you the needed contact information.
This is an exciting step for private special education in NC! God is faithfully looking out for His children as Christian schools are beginning to step out in faith to create programs that will meet the needs of all learners.
Raising Awareness Through Publication
In the July 2013 issue of Wilmington Parent, Danielle Villegas interviews Felicia Prease and April Coggins, two ladies with whom I have worked extensively in organizing a support group for parents, teachers, and students dealing with learning disabilities. In the article "Hope for Students with Dyslexia," Ms. Villegas defines dyslexia, lists characteristics of dyslexia, and explains Wilmington Christian Academy's plan for the early detection of at-risk students and resulting interventions plans. She also gives provides Extraordinary Expectation's website address for those interested in further resources.
Felicia Prease (mother of a 6th grader who has dyslexia), April Coggins (tutor for children with dyslexia and parent of a 2nd grader with dyslexia), and I are raising awareness of dyslexia in the Wilmington, NC area with the hopes of presenting legislation that would allow tax breaks for parents with students with dyslexia. This tax break would give parents more financial flexibility in finding and implementing effective intervention for their children.
Please take time to read the article and pass along the helpful information. We are very excited about this publication and are praying this will continue to be a great resource for many of you who are searching for informative answers. The article is on page 26 in a hard copy of Wilmington Parent and page 29 in the online copy (see link below).
Felicia Prease (mother of a 6th grader who has dyslexia), April Coggins (tutor for children with dyslexia and parent of a 2nd grader with dyslexia), and I are raising awareness of dyslexia in the Wilmington, NC area with the hopes of presenting legislation that would allow tax breaks for parents with students with dyslexia. This tax break would give parents more financial flexibility in finding and implementing effective intervention for their children.
Please take time to read the article and pass along the helpful information. We are very excited about this publication and are praying this will continue to be a great resource for many of you who are searching for informative answers. The article is on page 26 in a hard copy of Wilmington Parent and page 29 in the online copy (see link below).
Jobs for Life
Interest Meeting Announcement:
When: April 14, 2013
Sunday School hour (9:15-10:15)
Where: Library
Grace Baptist Church
Wilmington, NC
Wilmington Christian Academy Pilots Early Dyslexia Detection Testing
Wilmington, NC: Early detection of dyslexia is a key component of the successful teaching of students with special needs. In February of 2013, 75 kindergarten students at Wilmington Christian Academy were tested for early signs of dyslexia with the hopes of implementing intervention strategies before these students commenced the intense, phonics-based reading program promoted by WCA's elementary department. After receiving 90 days of intense training in the 5 components of reading, these 75 students were tested using the Early Reading Achievement Test. Students who tested below average in a significant number of subtests will be given the opportunity to receive specific instruction in the components of reading using the Orton-Guillingham reading approach. After proper documentation of identification, appropriate instruction, and growth patterns, the special education director at WCA hopes to present this test to other private schools as a viable way to identify students with dyslexia before they enter 1st grade.
For more information about Wilmington Christian Academy, see link below.
For more information about Wilmington Christian Academy, see link below.
Parent Workshop Announcement
When: March 11, 2013 at 6:30PM
What: "Learning Disabilities: Defined and Identified"
Where: Media Center of Wilmington Christian Academy, 1401 N. College Road, Wilmington, NC 28405
Speaker: Jennifer Lewis, Special Education Director
Synopsis: This hour-long workshop will provide you with
1) a working definition of a learning disability,
2) a checklist of characteristics for the following disabilities: dyslexia, ADD, auditory processing disorders, and mild autism
3) the opportunity to meet our special education team at Wilmington Christian Academy including our on-site counselor, speech therapist, parent-support team, and special education director
What: "Learning Disabilities: Defined and Identified"
Where: Media Center of Wilmington Christian Academy, 1401 N. College Road, Wilmington, NC 28405
Speaker: Jennifer Lewis, Special Education Director
Synopsis: This hour-long workshop will provide you with
1) a working definition of a learning disability,
2) a checklist of characteristics for the following disabilities: dyslexia, ADD, auditory processing disorders, and mild autism
3) the opportunity to meet our special education team at Wilmington Christian Academy including our on-site counselor, speech therapist, parent-support team, and special education director