About Us
The Learning Express is the preschool program of the Altoona Area School District and is open to all families residing in the school district. The Learning Express also provides special education Early Intervention preschool services for qualifying children aged 3-5 years who are not yet eligible for kindergarten. These services are offered as a part of the federally funded free and appropriate public education services mandated by federal law.
The Learning Express classrooms provide a preschool program for typically developing children who live in the Altoona Area School District. These children are awarded a placement for a no-cost preschool on a first come, first serve basis. The children who attend the Learning Express Classrooms at the Curtin, Wright, and Washington Jefferson buildings experience an integrated classroom with special learners and typical learners being taught side by side. This provides all children with a wonderful opportunity to learn from each other.
For children who may need Early Intervention Preschool services, a Multidisciplinary Team evaluation determines if a child is eligible for these services; that is, exhibiting at least a 25 % developmental delay and in need of specially designed instruction. The teachers of the Learning Express are state-certified in Early Childhood Education and/or Special Education and use a state-approved, developmentally appropriate curriculum.
Services provided may include specialized instruction, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, vision support, or hearing impaired support. These services may be provided at any of the four Learning Express sites, or at local private preschools, Head Start classrooms, childcare centers, other itinerant sites, or at the child's home. Specialized classrooms, (including the PATTAN Autism Initiative classroom, formerly the Verbal Behavior classroom, which was chosen by the Pennsylvania State Department of Education as a Model VB Site), also offer services for children needing a highly supportive learning environment.
Families of children with disabilities are included in all aspects of the child's services, beginning with the initial evaluation and the development of the Individualized Educational Program (IEP), as well as ongoing progress monitoring. Opportunities for all parents to volunteer at the Learning Express exist throughout the program, and the Parent Advisory Board is an integral part of the program.
The Learning Express Preschool began in 1990, when one classroom was opened at Baker Elementary School as an early prototype of preschool Early Intervention services. Cheryl Tyler was the lead teacher, with Susan Barton co-teaching. With two support staff, this team served a total of 24 students in two sessions. The program moved to the Curtin Building in 1991. Since that time, the Learning Express has grown to serve over 500 children per year in 27 sites with a staff of 55.
Preschool Program Director: Susan Barton
Mrs. Barton has worked for the Altoona Area School District since 1981 in a variety of special education positions, and has been with The Learning Express preschool program since 1990. Mrs. Barton has certification in both special education and elementary education. She holds both Bachelors of Science and Masters of Education degrees from The Pennsylvania State University.
