Our mission: Dawson School is dedicated to excellence of mind, body, and character. We prepare students, through challenging and relevant learning, to become creative, resilient problem solvers who bring their best to the world.
Student Life & Services
Learning Support
Learning Support
Lower School Learning Support
The lower school learning specialists have weekly scheduled time in every lower school homeroom to support students, observe, and plan with teachers. With the support of the learning specialists, classroom teachers differentiate instruction in the classroom through small groups, assistive technology, and targeted instruction to ensure students are met at their level and provided accommodations when needed. Based on the size of the group and the type of instruction, the learning specialist may push into the classroom or pull out small groups of students into another work area.
Middle and Upper School Learning Support
The upper and middle school learning specialists provide support to students and teachers by observing in classrooms, gathering information that can be helpful in identifying student needs and next steps to support success, and incorporating assistive technology through apps, online resources, and audiobooks into the classroom. In the middle and upper schools, we believe in providing students with resources and tools that can be used after graduating from Dawson. The learning specialists consult with teachers but do not provide direct intervention for students.
Learning Plan/Accommodations
A Dawson learning plan is equivalent to a 504, which is an accommodation plan. In order to qualify for a learning plan, you must have required documentation and evidence of need. Documentation may include but is not limited to: full psycho-educational evaluation, full evaluation from a clinician or diagnostician (speech therapist, OT, etc.), or a copy of an IEP or 504 plan. Dawson can’t always provide all the recommendations listed in an evaluation or IEP/504.
Commonly provided accommodations at Dawson:
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Extended Time on Assessments
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Testing in a Separate Location
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Preferential Seating in Class
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Audio Books (through Learning Ally and/or Bookshare)
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Use of calculator on assessments
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Ability to type in-class essays and notes
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Breaks
Learning Support does not provide:
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Regular, on-going one-on-one support and/or intervention for students
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Diagnosis of a learning difference or any formal evaluations/testing
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Advanced Learning Plans/Accelerated Programming
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Paraprofessionals/assistants in the classroom
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Modified curriculum (i.e. shortened assignments)
Accommodations vs. Modifications
Accommodations are provided to ensure that a student’s ability, not learning difference, is being assessed. They remove barriers and provide a student a fair opportunity for success in the classroom. Modifications are provided to change and adjust the curriculum, standards, and expectations for students. For example, modifications would be shortened essays or less math problems. Accommodations would be supports to help the student complete the same assignments as their peers. For example, a calculator, dictation software, or audiobooks.
While Dawson does provide accommodations, we do not provide modifications for students. For example, we do not shorten assignments, extend due dates, or alter test formats. Students receiving accommodations are expected to study the same material, complete the same assignments, and are assessed with the same standards/grading scale as their classmates.
Please contact admissions for more information or to determine if Dawson is a good fit for your child at 303-665-6679 x404 or admissions@dawsonschool.org
Meet the Learning Support Team
List of 5 members.
Dawson School
DAWSON SCHOOL
10455 Dawson Drive | Lafayette, Boulder County, Colorado 80026
Map | Phone: (303) 665-6679
10455 Dawson Drive | Lafayette, Boulder County, Colorado 80026
Map | Phone: (303) 665-6679
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