Special Education Programs

Learning Strategies

Edmonton Public Schools

Ekota School is a district site for the Learning Strategies program.  Students in this program must meet criteria for placement as outlined by Edmonton Public Schools. The intent of the Learning Strategies program is to assist students in gaining strategies to be successful learners when they return to the regular classroom setting.  Student reviews are conducted on a regular basis to determine continuation of eligibility.  

Several children in our program live within walking distance of Ekota.  Students who live beyond walking distance to the school are offered yellow bus service for a minimal monthly fee. There is a supervised lunch program at Ekota.  Students in the Learning Strategies program are eligible to participate in the lunchroom program without cost.  

Program Overview  

The goal of the Learning Strategies program is to provide students with the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and strategies to be successful learners. Classroom programming follows the Alberta Education curriculum guidelines, with greater emphasis on specific areas of student needs.  Emphasis is placed on meeting the individual needs of the students, which are typically in the academic areas of language arts (reading, writing, and spelling) and mathematics. Specialized literacy instruction is an integral component of the program. Students are taught a variety of organizational skills to support their learning and development. Additional support to meet specific learner needs is provided through small group instruction. As well, individual accommodations are made to maximize student success.   

Our program provides short term and long-term options, as determined by individual learner needs. Throughout the day, students work in a safe and caring learning environment in which they gain confidence and see themselves as successful learners.

Interactions Program

Interactions programming supports students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD impacts how people understand what they see, hear and sense. This lifelong disability can result in difficulties in communication, social relationships, behaviour or learning. Although some students with ASD achieve at grade level, many have uneven or delayed achievement.

GOALS

• Improve communication, social interaction and behaviour while developing academic skills

BENEFITS

• Demonstrate growth in communication skills
• Demonstrate growth in building and maintaining relationships, and understanding social situations
• Demonstrate growth in managing frustration and problem-solving
• Improved ability to handle change or challenging emotions (e.g., anxiety)
• Development of life skills to support independent living and employment

PROGRAM DELIVERY

• Structured environment with regular routines
• Smaller classes for more targeted instruction
• Visual aids, concrete examples and hands-on activities
• Frequent praise and other meaningful rewards to help students adopt positive behaviours and attitudes
• Opportunities to join other classes for instruction in a student’s areas of strength