CHICAGO (September 2004) - The Center to Promote Student Success is a new initiative of the Archdiocese of Chicago Office of Catholic Schools’ Inclusive Education Program. The program focuses on the learning needs of all elementary and high school students who are enrolled in Archdiocesan schools, from those who may be struggling in the classroom to those who are gifted academically. The new center, located at Maria High School, 6727 S. California Ave., on Chicago’s southwest side, will open later this fall and will be staffed by a team of learning specialists, psychologists and counselors who will work with parents and teachers to assist children with varying abilities and needs reach their academic potential.

Here are some additional details of the new Center to Promote Student Success:

• Students referred to the center will first receive a comprehensive assessment. Professional staff will work with teachers, parents and the student to develop a tailored learning plan based on the pupil’s individual needs with the goal of developing the child’s potential so he or she can become more successful in academic studies. Referrals for assessment are made by mutual agreement of a child’s parents and teachers.

• The Center to Promote Student Success and the Inclusive Education Program grew out of a comprehensive study conducted by the Office of Catholic Schools to understand the system's strengths and needs and to determine how it could best serve the learning needs of all students who seek a Catholic education in Cook and Lake counties. Interest from parents and teachers in this type of program has been very high.

• The goal of the program is to address both ends of the learning continuum – from children who are learning disabled to gifted academic achievers. Professionals at the center will focus on keeping children in the classroom setting rather than labeling them as different and placing them in an environment away from their peers.

• In addition, the Center to Promote Student Success will offer the following services:

• Remedial learning and tutoring;
• Continuing education workshops for principals and teachers; and
• Essential Learning Systems Lab (ELS). This is a state-of-the-art computer lab that addresses and strengthens skills that are essential to reading.

• The center will be open during school hours for Maria High School students and others from nearby Catholic elementary and high schools. After school hours, it will be accessible to children and adults of families from the local Catholic community.

• Additional centers – one in a central location, most likely near the loop, as well as a north side site – are planned for the future.

• The Inclusive Education initiative is headed by Leah Duszynski, who has an extensive background in special education. Duszynski taught in Chicago Catholic elementary schools for 15 years, also directed the Special Education Department of the Chicago International Charter School: Longwood Campus, and served as administrator of the Special Education Program for American Quality Schools and as a teacher of the Trainable Mentally Handicapped for the Chicago Public Schools.