Learning Differences Program
We firmly believe that every child can be successful in a classroom situation especially when combined with a structure at home that encourages high expectations while building a pathway to success. Most likely this will look different for each child you have in your home. Sometimes these differences will spill over into the formal classroom environment such as we have at UHC. And sometimes, to be successful, a child will need accommodations within that classroom, and even at home.
The UHC Learning Differences Program provides classroom accommodations for students in our co-op setting who need additional academic support due to a learning difference or health need. Under the direction of our Learning Differences administrators, our students in K5-12th grade can receive a variety of accommodations. Partnering with these LD administrators, our teachers work to provide LD students with various learning strategies, procedures, and assessments in order to help them succeed in their education both in their co-op classes and their instruction at home.
LD Program Requirements:
- Students must have a psychological assessment completed by a public or private entity. Note: Some exceptions may be granted for elementary students who do not yet have a formal assessment.
- A student with a health concern must provide a doctor’s note indicating a need for services.
- If you have academic concerns about your student or questions about the Learning Differences Program that you would like to address with a Learning Differences Director, please complete the Learning Differences Form and request a 30 minute consultation.
- All current and new families entering into the LD program are required to meet with their respective learning differences administrator each year PRIOR to onsite enrollment. If you are enrolling your student in the LD program for the first time, please make sure you have submitted the Learning Differences Form before your consultation.
- If you would like to know about testing options for your student, please click here.
LD Program Yearly Fees:
- Elementary Students: $85
- Middle School Students: $150
- High School Students: $200. This fee doesn’t include accommodations for midterms and finals for High School students. You can request those for additional fees.
Note: The LD program yearly fee includes an annual subscription to Learning Ally for enrolled LD students and their families. To learn more, please click here.
Student Supports
UHC offers the following accommodations for students in an effort to remediate content, and offer study tools and resources to homeschool families in our community:
Within the Orton-Gillingham approach, a student is taught reading, spelling, handwriting, and expressive writing as a whole body. The Orton-Gillingham approach is a multi-sensory approach where each phonetic unit and sequence in spoken and/or graphic form is learned through hearing, speaking, seeing, and writing. These skills are learned and practiced simultaneously in coordination with one another. For more information, visit our Orton-Gillingham Tutoring page.
UHC Greenville offers high school CP only courses with small class size and personalized instruction based on student accommodations from a trained instructor. These include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Algebra 1 & 2
- Geometry
- Physical Science
- English (4 year rotation)
Our IEW writing labs are open to all students. These labs are designed as a companion course to offer additional support for students in various levels of IEW. Students in 6th-8th grade will review and reinforce key concepts of the IEW program, work through mini-lessons based on common errors, and practice important writing techniques and formats, including MLA. Class time will include whole-group instruction as well as one-on-one tutoring sessions. This lab does not replace the important role of the teaching parent for the IEW student, and parents will need to be actively involved in the writing/editing process each week.
Accommodations are available for students who qualify and are enrolled in the Learning Differences Program.
An accommodation refers to techniques and materials that allow individuals to complete school or work tasks with greater ease and effectiveness. Examples include:
- Extended time for completing assignments
- Seating in close proximity to the teacher
- Spellcheckers
- Tape recorders
- Technology including iPads, cellphones, and laptops
A modification is a change in what is being taught to or expected from the student (Center for Parent Information and Resources). Modifications take the material that is being given to the whole class and present it at an easier level so that the student can understand it. Examples include:
- Changing a Rubric
- Reading a different copy of a book that is on a lower level
- Using an easier and different curriculum than the rest of the class
Regarding modifications, Upstate Homeschool Co-op is unable to modify their curriculum or expectations for one student. However, if your child needs modifications, you as the parent can modify and supplement at home to help the child be successful with the curriculum expectations at UHC.
What does UHC’s hybrid look like? Here is an example of how accommodations and modifications might fit into the classroom at UHC for a student with special learning needs:
A child who is reading Around the World in 80 Days at UHC, but needs an accommodation or modification because of a special learning style. He has the book that is required, but the parent will read it out loud to him. After he has read the chapter independently from an easier level book or graphic novel (modification), then together, the parent and child will work on a graphic organizer to keep the key events and major points and themes of the book together (modification) before doing the assignment from the teacher. In the classroom, the student takes pictures of the notes on the board (accommodation) and records the discussion of the book to be able to take notes at home (accommodation). Also, he contributes to the discussion after a few examples, giving him a chance to get his thoughts together, allowing for a longer processing time (accommodation).
High School students have the option to take their midterm and final exams in a small group or individually. Depending on their academic accommodations, students can have the option of a scribe or have their exam orally administered. There is an additional cost for this service.
UHC offers various seminars throughout the year to help train our parent educators. Prior to school starting, we offer a “Beginner Homeschooling” seminar for families who are just starting homeschooling. This seminar covers homeschool laws, curriculum, schedules, learning differences, and various other topics. UHC parents are also trained in the IEW curriculum when their students start 4th grade. This training allows them to learn how to teach the IEW curriculum and assist their child with their IEW work at home. UHC also offers seminars throughout the new year on topics of interest such as ADHD, Dyslexia, learning disabilities, and other topics that are valuable for parent educators. We also have a resource document that lists tutors, curriculum suggestions, podcasts, etc to provide families with additional support for their learning differences students.
