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Alternative Learning
The Master’s Academy offers two distinct educational alternatives for qualifying students.
The Alternative Learning Program helps students who have difficulty succeeding in the traditional classroom. It is not a special education program but is designed to meet the needs of a student who may be (a) coming to TMA from a special education experience; (b) coming without the necessary academic background needed to succeed in the traditional classroom; (c) experiencing failure in the traditional classroom; or (d) diagnosed as learning disabled. This small classroom concept uses traditional grade-level curriculum. Alternatives may include accommodations and modifications.
Entrance into the ALP is by administrative referral and/or current, full-battery testing which clearly identifies learning problems. ALP accepts only those who have average intelligence with no emotional disorders or retarded intellectual functions (such as autism and Down's Syndrome). Students must not be vision or hearing impaired. Students must also be ambulatory with no severe motor-control dysfunctions. Math and reading scores must be no more than two grades below level. All Academy entrance requirements must be met.
The size of ALP classes is limited. When classes have reached their limits, applicants are placed on a waiting list.
Questions about learning disabilities could be answered by reading books such as the following:
- Endangered Minds, Jane M. Healy, Simon & Schuster, 1990.
- An Uncommon Gift, James S. Evans, Westminster/John Knox Press, 1983.
- The Learning Disabled Child: Ways That Parents Can Help, S. H. Stevens, John F. Blair, Publisher, 1984.
- Learning Disabilities: A Family Affair, Betty B. Osman, Warner Books, 1979
The Discovery Program at The Master’s Academy uses a program developed by the National Institute for Learning Disabilities (NILD), Norfolk, Virginia. This program centers on stimulating areas of weakness in perception and cognition. Compensatory techniques are avoided. Instead, intensive educational therapy is given three hours a week to each student, one-on-one. Techniques used are especially designed to change thinking, stimulate processing, and develop awareness for language, writing, math, and listening. Developed by the NILD research team, techniques are non-tutorial, intense, eclectic, integrated, and emphasize deficit training.
Entrance into Discovery is based on full-battery testing which demonstrates that the student exhibits one or more characteristics for the learning disabled. It is not designed for students who have emotional disorders, severe motor control dysfunctions, or retarded intellectual functions (such as autism and Down's Syndrome). This program serves students who are enrolled at The Master’s Academy.
The STAR program incorporates educational therapies in addition to the NILD Discovery program. All the programs utilized by STAR are those which specifically address reading problems. Entrance is based upon full-battery testing and recommendation of a psychologist. Upon completion of the STAR therapies, TMA students will be evaluated for the Discovery program.
For more information please contact:
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