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Chartwell's Center for the Advancement of Language and Literacy (CALL) was established to share knowledge and experience with teachers and parents who work with children about the best ways to teach reading and the best approaches to assist children who learn differently. Chartwell's CALL Director, Kristen Atkins, is available to customize a program that will meet the needs of your school or youth serving organization.
For more information about CALL's services, please contact:
Kristen Atkins
(831) 394-3468
katkins@chartwell.org
Free Workshops for Youth Serving Organizations
At your request, Chartwell staff is available to come to your site and present a two to three hour workshop tailored to the specific needs of your staff. Thanks to funding from the Packard Foundation, the Harden Foundation, the Community Foundation for Monterey County, other individual donors, the first workshop for each organization is free! A limited number of additional consulting hours may also be available at no-cost as funding permits. Workshops require a minimum of 10 participants. Please contact Kristen Atkins to schedule a workshop for your organization today.
On-Site Training and Professional Development
Chartwell faculty have significant expertise in the identification, assessment, and academic remediation of students with learning differences. Unfortunately, standard credential programs for regular classroom teachers do not address strategies for identifying or teaching learning disabled students. Chartwell School is pleased to offer customized training workshops for other organizations and schools. CALL's Director, Kristen Atkins is available to work with your organization to identify and meet the professional development needs of your faculty, staff, and volunteers. A limited number of free consulting hours are available.
Lecture Series
Launched in 1996, CALL's Lecture Series provide a forum where parents, educators, health care professionals and community members can learn more about dyslexia and related issues from experts in the field. These workshops serve to increase awareness and provide pertinent information to the larger community. The series is offered free to the public at various locations throughout the three local communities. Topics include but are not limited to basic dyslexic and learning disability education, advocating for the LD student, testing and assessment practices, easing transitions for LD children/parents, and general support for families facing these difficult issues. Presenters include pediatricians, therapists, educators, authors and others who are considered experts in their fields.
Learning Specialist Advisors
Chartwell can provide your school with a part-time Learning Support Advisor to serve as a counselor and point of information for teachers, administrators and parents in regards to education plans and teaching strategies for students who are struggling in the classroom. The purpose of the Learning Specialist Advisor is to educate faculty and serve as a consultant regarding the most recent scientific research in the identification, assessment and remediation of students with specific learning disabilities so that the quality and effectiveness of classroom instruction is maximized. The Learning Specialist Advisor is also available to counsel on learning disabilities in general; what to look for, where and when a professional assessment should occur, options for remediation, and how to cope with the often threatening idea that a child might have special needs. If you feel your school could benefit from the services of a Learning Support Advisor, please contact Kristen Atkins today.
DIBELS - Early Identification and Intervention Project
CALLl, with the assistance of a grant from a local foundation, implemented a longitudinal three-year pilot program to document the impact of early assessment and intervention on a child’s reading development in grades K-2. Chartwell pursued this study based on a specific hypothesis that an early elementary school program that both identifies students at risk for reading failure and provides these students with proper forms of intervention can significantly reduce the number of students who require intensive intervention for reading difficulties later in school. In September 2001 Pacific Grove Unified School District, under the direction of Chartwell, screened every kindergarten student (111 students) to identify those who were at risk for future reading failure based on DIBELS assessments (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills). Taking into account the results, students identified as high risk were provided intensive intervention at school. Results of the year-end screening showed a significant reduction in the number of students whose test results indicated that they were at risk.
If you feel that your school could benefit from a program to identify Pre K - 2nd grade students at-risk for future reading failure, please contact Kristen Atkins.
Teacher Training Program
The summer professional development program at Chartwell is designed to inform practicing educators on current reading research and its application to the classroom. An interactive reading and writing model is discussed and practiced using the most efficient assessment-instruction strategies for matching the learner and context so that students reach their intellectual potential in academics. Please contact Kristen Atkins for more information about our next Teacher Training course.
University Collaboration
Chartwell School has also partnered with California State University Monterey Bay to further understanding and promote education about dyslexia and related learning disabilities by co-sponsoring a yearly literacy conference. This annual collaboration with CSUMB is in conjunction with the Lawton Love Distinguished Professor in Special Education and previous speakers have included Louisa Moats, Tom West, David Chard, Dr. John Shefelbine, and Anita Archer.
For more information about Chartwell's Outreach services, please contact:
Kristen Atkins
(831) 394-3468
katkins@chartwell.org
Organizations working with Chartwell's Outreach Program include:
Boys and Girls Clubs
Chartwell has provided training about learning differences to the entire Salinas and Monterey Peninsula staff. Chartwell is also meeting with the Boys & Girls Club Education and Careers staff and homework tutors to offer practical suggestions so that they can better identify and assist students with specific language learning disabilities, including dyslexia. This partnership will soon expand to include the Santa Cruz Boys and Girls Clubs.
Partners for Peace
Chartwell staff worked with the summer 2004 YES Program at Toro Continuation School in Salinas to assist high school students who had fallen behind in their academic requirements. Chartwell will continue to advise the staff of the YES Program as they strengthen literacy and math curricula to better address students needs.
Pacific Grove Unified School District
In September 2001 Pacific Grove Unified School District, under the direction of Chartwell, screened every kindergarten student (111 students) to identify those who were at risk for future reading failure based on DIBELS assessments (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills). Taking into account the results, students identified as high risk were provided intensive intervention at school. Results of the year-end screening showed a significant reduction in the number of students whose test results indicated that they were at risk.
Private Elementary School
In an effort to increase awareness and understanding of student learning styles, a private elementary school requested the services of a part-time Learning Support Advisor. The Learning Support Advisor educated faculty and served as a consultant regarding the most recent scientific research in the identification, assessment and remediation of students with specific learning disabilities so that the quality and effectiveness of classroom instruction is maximized.
For more information about Chartwell's Outreach services, please contact:
Kristen Atkins
(831) 394-3468
katkins@chartwell.org
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