THE LEARNING EXPRESS OVERVIEW

The Learning Express is the Early Intervention Preschool program of the Altoona Area School District .  The Learning Express provides special education 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.

A Multidisciplinary Team evaluation determines if a child is eligible for 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 or Special Education and use a state-approved, developmentally appropriate curriculum.

Services 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 three Learning Express sites, at private preschools, Head Start, itinerant sites, daycares, or in the home environment.  Specialized classrooms, (including 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.

The Learning Express also provides a preschool program for typically developing youngsters 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 Wright and Curtin 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.

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.

Learning Express Program Director: Cheryl Tyler
Cheryl started working for AASD in 1974 as a speech pathologist. She taught in Learning Support for Penn Lincoln from 1983 until 1990. Cheryl has been involved with the preschool since 1990. Cheryl graduated from Clarion and recieved a Mater's Degree from IUP. She has also recieved her Supervisors' Certificate from IUP.  Cheryl lives in Altoona with her husband and two children.


Assistance Preschool Program Director: Susan Barton
Susan has worked for the AASD for 27 years, 17 of which have been with the Learning Express.  She lives in Hollidaysburg with her husband, and three children.   Susan has certification in both special education and elementary education, and holds a Master of Education degree from Penn State.