Our Philosophy
The foundation to a child's academic success is based on their ability to read at grade level. When children start to fall behind in their reading achievement, they often become frustrated and develop a sense of failure. These feelings can also have a significant impact on their self-esteem and children can quickly loose the joy of learning.
Most of the supports offered to autistic students in public education settings are directed towards regulation and their behaviour. Often, some of their frustrations come from low reading achievement. Their access to frequent and ongoing reading intervention at school can be limited. Optimal grades for reading remediation are from grades 2-5.
Rob has facilitated over 1000 hours of one-on-one specialized reading tutoring for struggling readers with a 100% success rate! His understanding and expertise working with diverse students is unprecedented. Through his extensive training and certification as an Associate Practitioner with the Orton-Gillingham Academy, he has changed reading trajectories for children and hope for parents.
The Orton-Gilligham approach is considered the Gold standard philosophy to support dyslexic children and emergent readers. The level of training for tutors in this model varies dramatically. Rob has completed over 70 hours of comprehensive dyslexic coursework and a 100-hour practicum supervised by a Fellow in Training authorized by the Orton-Gillingham Academy.
Our Approach
The foundation to a child's academic success is based on their ability to read at grade level. When children start to fall behind in their reading achievement, they often become frustrated and develop a sense of failure. These feelings can also have a significant impact on their self-esteem and children can quickly loose the joy of learning.
We have worked one on one with children in grades one to six over the last decade assisting them with reading strategies during our intervention sessions. In addition, we continue to further expand our expertise in our Associate Level Certification with the Orton Gillingham Academy.
We have developed a comprehensive literacy intervention model to transform the child's confidence and competencies as a successful reader and writer to support their success in school. Every component of this model is based on recent research and best practices facilitated by experts in the field.
Delivery Format
After four years of tutoring children in person and online, Rob has switched his method to a predominantly virtual practice. Through consultation and feedback with parents and students, the ability to facilitate virtual sessions has decreased pressure points for parents and students. The rush to pick children up from school and drive them to an alternative location for in person sessions just added more time to a child’s already long day. The ability to make their child a home-made snack out of the comfort of their kitchen before or during tutoring sessions helped fuel their brains for learning. Families who live in rural or remote communities can now access specialized reading tutoring.
Students preferred to work out of a setting (usually their own room) they were very familiar with and reduce distractions or visual stimulus. Students enjoyed the technological aspect of the lessons, and they quickly picked up the routine and use of the document camera and zoom platform.
Parents did not have to worry about finding and purchasing the resources for the virtual lessons. RZ Progressive Education provides families with a complete tutoring kit that includes all the devices and materials the student requires for each lesson. All families need is high speed internet and an integrated computer camera or Webcam.
Comprehensive Tutoring Intervention Process
Student Profile
We work exclusively with children who are diagnosed with autism or are pending autism assessment. Students must have average intelligence, and a diagnosis of dyslexia or other reading challenges identified by school-based teams.
Free Consultation
Our team will meet with the family to discuss all aspects and components of our tutoring service prior to confirming services.
Intervention is a family effort
The role of parents/ caregivers in the success of the child's reading progress during intervention is paramount. In addition, parents are involved in home reading rituals and are an integral part of the assessments and progress feedback meetings.
Assessment for Learning (have its own tab)
It is essential for our team to get a solid understanding of where the child is currently functioning in their literacy journey. This involves reviewing report cards, paraprofessional reports, and completing our own specialized literacy assessments. The compiled information will target our focus and teaching. Furthermore, tutors will document findings in every session, complete a mid-cycle report outlining progress and a final comprehensive report including outcomes and recommendations.
Comprehensive Literacy Intervention Program
Student Profile
We work exclusively with children who are diagnosed with autism with average intelligence and children with dyslexia and other learning disabilities. In specific circumstances, we will accept students that have been identified by School-Based Teams and are pending Level C psycho-educational testing.
Free Consultation
Our team will meet with the family to discuss all aspects and components of our tutoring service prior to confirming services.
Intervention is a family effort
The role of parents/ caregivers in the success of the child's reading progress during intervention is paramount. First and foremost, parents need to accommodate busy schedules to get their child to weekly tutoring sessions. In addition, parents are involved in home reading rituals and are an integral part of the assessments and progress feedback meetings.
Frequency rather than duration
From experience and research-based findings, frequency of intervention sessions is more than the duration of the sessions. Optimal number of tutoring sessions are 3 times a week. The sessions will last between 40-50 minutes depending on the child's stamina. Minimum number of sessions recommended per week is two.
Length of Intervention
This varies dependent on the child's specific learning needs and other factors. From experience, children should make visible gains when the optimal number of weekly sessions are maintained over a 12-16 week continuous timeframe. At any point during the process, if your child is not progressing at a rate that we are expecting, a parent meeting will be schedule immediately to discuss findings.
Assessment/Reports
It is essential for our team to get a solid understanding of where your child is currently functioning in their literacy journey. This involves reviewing report cards, paraprofessional reports, and completing our own literacy assessments. All our tutors are qualified to administer Level B Psycho-educational testing. The compiled information will target our focus and teaching. Furthermore, tutors will document findings in every session, complete a mid-cycle report outlining progress and a final comprehensive report including outcomes and recommendations.
Funding Opportunities for Specialized Tutoring
BC Residents
1. Autism Funding Unit (AFU)
RZ Progressive Education Solutions is recognized by the AFU as a quality tutoring service and we bill directly to them.
2. Variety: The Children’s Charity of BC
Alberta Residents
1. Variety: The Children’s Charity of Alberta
The Alberta chapter is in the process of offering funding for specialized tutoring starting in the fall of 2024.
Autism Funding Unit
RZ Progressive Education Solutions is recognized by the AFU as a quality tutoring service and we bill directly to the Autism Funding Unit.
Our team will assist parents with their Request to Pay and Amendment documents to make the process easier.
TESTIMONIAL
"Rob facilitated a significant positive shift in our lives. His skill, knowledge and experience is unique and unparalleled in the Okanagan and likely in Canada. He has true empathy because he has insight as a parent and an educator. I no longer feel completely alone in school meetings. His guidance is direct and clear and brings me invaluable calm, because I know his perspective considers all parts of the multidisciplinary approach. He approaches every interaction with professionalism. His compassion and patience toward my son is humbling. I am in awe of his dedication and enthusiasm to help us."
- Rene - Grade 3 Parent