Learning Support in the Upper School
Upper School Learning Specialist
The Upper School Learning Specialist provides support for students with learning differences and academic support for all Upper School students when they encounter a learning or academic difficulty related to organization, time management or study skills. The Learning Specialist maintains and updates the extended time list for students who qualify for it and applies for extended time for the national tests like the SAT and ACT. In coordination with the Athletic Trainers, the Learning Specialist proctors and monitors any academic accommodations required when a student is entered into the School’s Concussion Protocol. Additionally, the Learning Specialist provides support to teachers when needed or requested.
Support for Any Student
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Students may seek one-on-one consultation with the Learning Specialist to discuss academic skill strategies, organizational skills, time-management skills, etc.
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The Learning Specialist provides academic support when students score 69 or lower in their progress report or quarter report cards.
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The Learning Specialist connects students to the Health and Wellness counselor for support for emotional and social issues associated with any learning difficulty.
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Students may seek extra help from teachers before school and during the day when they are mutually free. Furthermore, conferencing between faculty and students is available on designated days during the Assembly Period. Students who wish to attend an extra-help session after school should notify their teacher (or faculty tutor) and coach at least one day in advance, if possible.
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All students are given the opportunity to schedule a study period. The prudent student uses this time productively for exam review, homework completion or appointments with teachers.
Students with Diagnosed Learning Differences
To be considered for accommodations, the division Learning Specialist must have a copy of the student’s educational evaluation from the diagnostician/psychologist on file. The Learning Specialist verifies that the documentation meets basic guidelines and notifies teachers that the student qualifies for accommodations. Although FWCD is unable to offer specific accommodations that fundamentally change our mission, programs, policies or staffing, we do provide “reasonable” accommodative supports when there is a specific diagnosis provided from an updated evaluation.
The most commonly granted accommodation in the Upper School is extended time. If approved for extended time, a student may receive up to 50 percent extra time (time-and-a-half) on a test or quiz. The student should alert the teacher no later than one academic day before the exam, test or quiz for which the extra time is requested, and the student must not miss another class to complete the exam, test or quiz.
Requesting Accommodations on College-Related Tests
Receiving accommodation at Fort Worth Country Day in no way assures a student of accommodations on tests administered by The College Board and ACT. Students with a learning or physical disability must apply for accommodations with the appropriate testing agency for extended time and other accommodations on standardized tests (e.g., PSAT, SAT, ACT Plus Writing, AP, etc.).
The College Board consent form to request accommodations (PSAT, SAT, AP) and the application for ACT National Testing are available in the Learning Specialist’s Office. Students and parents should submit these respective forms and all previous educational evaluations to the Upper School learning specialist or the College Counseling Office according to the testing agencies’ deadlines.
The College Board consent form to request accommodations (PSAT, SAT, AP) and the application for ACT National Testing are available in the Learning Specialist’s Office. Students and parents should submit these respective forms and all previous educational evaluations to the Upper School learning specialist or the College Counseling Office according to the testing agencies’ deadlines.
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Documentation Guidelines
The student must have documentation on file at school that:- States a specific disability and includes a “DSM” diagnosis code
- Is current—within the last three years
- Provides relevant educational, developmental and medical history
- Includes the detailed results of a battery of educational testing with a complete achievement test and a complete cognitive test, as minimum
- Describes the specific accommodations requested
- Establishes the professional credentials of the evaluator
- Addresses other requirements based on an individual student’s circumstances
Support Across the Divisions
Fort Worth Country Day (FWCD) is a JK-12 private, independent, coeducational, nondenominational college-preparatory school located on approximately 100 acres in Fort Worth, Texas. The mission of Fort Worth Country Day School is to foster the intellectual, physical, emotional, and ethical development of capable students through an academically rigorous college preparatory program that integrates the arts and athletics.