Learning Differences in the Classroom

Classroom teachers know that all types of students come to school with different abilities and learning needs. You may have had students with invisible or minimally visible challenges. Making accommodations and modifications for these students is not too difficult. Some students, however, have moderate to severe learning differences, and you may feel overwhelmed when deciding how to teach these students. It is important to remember that good instructional and learning strategies will often provide effective solutions. It is also helpful to realize that for most parents of students with learning differences, the spiritual, social, and communication benefits of an Adventist school are as important, or sometimes more important, than academic achievement.

While most small schools can provide for most students with learning differences, there may be occasions when a potential student's learning differences are too severe to be accommodated in the small-school environment. These situations should be handled on a case-by-case basis. You and the admissions committee or board should consider the impact not only on the student applicant, but also on the entire student body and school environment.