Learning Support

Typically, we have around 100 Jesuit students with identified learning differences, which means they have complete diagnostic testing and meet the College Board standards for identification of a learning disability. For example, our student body includes students with specific learning differences (like dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia, communication challenges and memory/processing deficits); students with the three subtypes of AD/HD; students with motor, vision and hearing impairments; and students on the autism spectrum.

Our program of support for alternative learners is as diverse as the learners themselves. Since Jesuit offers a 1:1 iPad learning environment, it can be very simple to implement accommodations that require assistive technology. For example, Jesuit is a Learning Ally Partner school, which means we can offer free audio versions of virtually all published texts to our qualified students. We also implement accommodations (like extended time testing or strategic seating) that will work best for a student’s learning profile and coach our learners through self-advocacy, and their transition to college. We regularly work with teachers to better support our diverse learners through one-to-one coaching, departmental support and full-faculty training opportunities. 

Jesuit has been very lucky to have Edison High School on our campus for the past 40 years. Edison is a fully accredited high school for students with learning differences, offering small classes and specialized instruction. Our students share a campus, sports programs, school plays and dances – and coursework when appropriate. In 2016-17 for example, 28 Jesuit students took one or more classes at Edison, and 36 Edison students took one or more classes at Jesuit. This “hybrid” program offers us the truly unique opportunity to scale our learning model to the exact needs of our students. A student can take an Edison English class with 8 other learners one period, and then head straight to a Jesuit tech theater or calculus class the next period. Edison has been an invaluable partner as we continue to improve our ability to serve all students who fit Jesuit's overall mission.

As part of our commitment to fair evaluation of our students with learning differences, we work with families in the learning support program to ensure that qualifying students are able to use recommended accommodations on high-stakes tests, like the SAT and ACT.

To qualify for accommodations like this, a student must a) have complete documentation on file in the counseling office, ideally when the student begins as a freshman, and b) use the same accommodations at school (i.e., if seeking extended time on the SAT, a student must regularly use extended time accommodations here.)

Learn more about ACT accommodations and SAT accommodations.

 

Information on multiple kinds of learning differences

• Understood.org

Dyslexia

• Unlocking Dyslexia NPR Series
• Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity
• Dyslexic Advantage

Local Dyslexia Advocacy Groups

• Oregon Branch of the International Dyslexia Association (ORBIDA)
• Decoding Dyslexia Oregon

AD/HD (ADD)

• AD/HD Awareness
• Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA)

Autism Spectrum Disorder

• Understanding the Spectrum by Rebecca Burgess
• Autism in Girls
• Autism Speaks

Important Video Resources

• Inside the Mind of a Master Procrastinator TED
• Study Less, Study Smart

If you have any questions about Learning Support, please contact Director of Learning Support  Colleen O’Mahony at comahony@jesuitportland.org.