Learning Resource Department

Learning Specialists: Melissa Brown Andrea Shuel Nancy Cushen White

The learning resource department provides assessment, direct instruction, and consultation with faculty, administrators, and parents to help students reach their full academic potential.

The services of the learning resource department include the following:

• early screening in kindergarten and first grade
• educational screening for patterns of learning strengths and weaknesses in grades 2-8 (with parents' permission)
• referrals for in-depth testing and/or remediation outside of school
• remedial instruction in language arts skills for students in grades 1-3 needing additional support
• weekly support in 4th grade with language arts curriculum
• assistance to classroom teachers regarding strategies and accommodations that are most helpful to students with learning differences
• assistance with accommodations, including books on tape and the Kurzweil reader
• office hours for upper-school students requesting additional support
• assistance with interpretation and analysis of ERB testing in grades 3 through 7

Should children need additional evaluation or educational therapy beyond what the School can provide, such as comprehensive testing, psychological testing, or intensive one-on-one educational therapy, the learning specialist will act as the liaison between the School, tutor or specialist, and parents.

The School holds the same expectations and course requirements for all students, but will make reasonable efforts to provide accommodations to help students with learning differences succeed. If the accommodations/modifications cannot fully address the identified needs of a student, the School will confer with the student's family to discuss alternatives, including other school placements.

	For more information about tutoring, please see the SFDS Tutoring Policy
	For further information contact Melissa Brown   or (415) 568-3675.