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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What type of student will benefit from this program?
2. Does my child have to be a certain age to enroll?
3. What is included in the curriculum?
4. How can home schooling work for a student with a language based learning difference?
5. What is required of the home teacher?
6. I am not a special educator, how will this work for my child?
8. Will my child receive a transcript and/or a certificate of completion for the LLD program?
10. How much does this program cost?
1. What type of student will benefit from this program?
This program benefits children that have been diagnosed with, or are suspected to have, a language-based learning difference. If you observe two or more of the following behaviors in your child, the Verticy Learning Academy home school curriculum may be appropriate.
- inability to quickly identify the names of letters, numbers, shapes and colors when exposed to them in random sequences
- an actual diagnosis of a language-based learning difference such as Dyslexia
- poor performance on tested material that was well-known right after studying
- requests for clarification immediately after receiving instructions
A student with an LLD has a disorder in one or more of the basic processes involved in understanding or using language, written or spoken. This disorder may be seen as a decreased ability to listen, remember, read write spell or do math. The LLD term does not include delays that might be associated with visual, hearing or motor handicaps or related to environmental, cultural or economic disadvantage.
2. Does my child have to be a certain age to enroll?
Yes. Children must be entering the Fourth, Fifth or Sixth Grade in order to enroll at this time. We will be offering additional grade levels in the future.
3. What is included in the curriculum?
All the traditional components of the Calvert School Scholastic 4th, 5th, and 6th Grade curriculum: Science, History, Picture Study/Art, Geography, Computer Skills, and Math. The Math course comes with a companion strategy book that will include sections on vocabulary, skill manipulation, and a game strategy section.
Language Arts consists of a phonics, spelling, reading, and comprehension program that is based on the following methodologies - Orton-Gillingham, Wilson Reading and Project Read. Students learn letter sounds to facilitate spelling and reading, learning the feel of the correctly pronounced sounds. The student moves from known to new material, alternating reading and spelling so that both develop together as skills. Regular practice, through the use of spelling and reading deck cards, brings about the automatic response, which enables better comprehension and attention to concepts. These skills will be paired with spelling rules and generalizations, grammar and composition, vocabulary and comprehension, and formal and informal assessment. This program includes several educational components students can tap into via their home computer.
4. How can home schooling work for a student with a language-based learning difference?
Home schooling can provide a wonderful opportunity for students who require specific accommodations to learn in a customized environment through one-on-one instruction. The home schooling setting naturally provides many of the accommodations some students with special needs receive through their publicly funded Individualized Education Programs, such as small group instruction, preferential seating, frequent breaks, extended testing time, and access to a variety of assistive technologies.
The Verticy Learning Academy curriculum blends the respected Calvert School Scholastic curriculum with a nationally recognized approach to reading, created by Jemicy School and based on Orton-Gillingham teaching and learning methodologies. It was created by credentialed leaders in the language-based learning instruction field. Students will receive a direct, sequential, and multi-sensory approach to their reading instruction (decoding), comprehension, and written expression.
5. What is required of the home teacher?
Each phase of the curriculum will be presented and explained in a detailed fashion. Before teaching the course, the home teacher will need to read the Lesson Manual that will explain, define, and teach important strategies that are part of the program's foundation. The Lesson Manual is your partner in organization, structure, application and administration.
Students with language-based learning differences need structure, organization, consistency, and more instructional and practice time than other students. The following elements are necessary for the program to succeed for your student.
- Home schooling on a regular basis - committing to teach a minimum of five out of seven days per week and preferably schooling year round. If the family takes a summer break or extended vacation, the student will continue practice and review work at least two to three days a week
- Following the reading schedule without skipping lessons or doubling lessons
- Providing the student with a clean, uncluttered, and quiet, distraction-free workspace where materials can be stored, labeled, and easily managed
6. I am not a special educator, how will this work for my child?
Verticy Learning Education Counselors are available to assist the home teacher in tailoring the child's instruction to meet his or her specific needs. Additional support and detailed explanations are embedded within each lesson in the Lesson Manual. There will be an audio and video resource library available so that families can observe and learn the skills necessary to teach the curriculum.
7. If my child has a current Individualized Education Program (IEP) from his or her public school, will Verticy Learning Academy follow it?
Verticy Learning does not participate in the creation or implementation of IEP's. The use of IEP's as mandated by the Individuals with Differences Education Act (IDEA) applies to students enrolled in publicly funded institutions at the time of implementation.
8. Will my child receive a transcript and/or a certificate of completion from Verticy Learning Academy?
In order to receive a transcript and certificate of completion for the program, a student must complete the course and be enrolled in the Advisory Teaching Service.
9. Should I submit copies of my student's records (standardized testing scores, IEP, evaluations, etc.) with the Verticy Learning Academy placement test?
Verticy Learning Academy does not need copies of these documents for our placement purposes, but it never hurts to have copies securely stored at home.
10. How much does this program cost?
The cost of the program varies depending on what grade your student is in. Please see our Curriculum by Grade page then select a grade level on the left side of your screen. At the bottom of the page you will find pricing.