Meadows has a strong collaborative model. The Learning Assistance Program (LAP) team and Special Education teachers work and plan with the psychologist, speech therapist, physical/occupational therapists, counselor and administration to provide the best possible educational program for all students. Regular meetings of this support team ensures ongoing communication and problem-solving opportunities. The goal of this team is to enhance the educational program to promote success for all students.

Program Focus

The LAP Learning Support Program assists struggling readers to reach grade level competency. It focuses its support in the primary grades. Educational research indicates that early intervention is the most effective approach to helping struggling readers achieve life-long reading success. Teachers and paraeducators work intensely in grades kindergarten through sixth. Students are usually given instruction in a small group setting which allows for more individualized attention. In an atmosphere of cooperation and mutual respect this program coordinates its efforts with other district resources to maximize student learning. The Learning Support Program strives to have every student reach grade level competency in reading by the end of third grade.

How are students selected?

In grades Kindergarten through 5th grade, the Learning Support staff assists in screening all incoming students with reading and math assessments. Classroom teachers are asked to evaluate their students' in-class performance. The testing results and teacher evaluations are used to identify students who are in need of assistance in reading and/or math. These students are given extra support in reading and/or math to help improve their skills.

How is progress evaluated?

Once or twice a month, each student's progress is evaluated. The results of this evaluation are shared with classroom teachers. Parents receive updates on their student's progress during parent/teacher conferences or with report cards or by request. When the student's performance is at or above grade level, the intervention teacher discusses with the classroom teacher the possibility of exiting the student. If the student meets the exit criteria both teachers agree that the student's overall reading and/or math skills are at or above grade level, the student will be considered as an exit candidate.

See more info on the LAP on the District site >>

Teacher Qualification Notice

In an effort to keep parents informed about the qualifications of a teacher, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) allows parents to inquire at school whether their child(ren)’s teacher(s) have met state qualifications and certification requirements for the grade level and subject taught.

Parents may inquire whether a teacher is under emergency or conditional certificate through which state qualifications were waived, and they may request information about undergraduate or graduate degrees the teacher holds, including graduate certificates and additional degrees, and major(s) or area (s) of concentration.

North Thurston Public School’s annually conducts an audit of teacher assignments to assure that no teachers are assigned to areas for which they do not meet Washington State certification and/or endorsement requirements. Only on rare occasion does the District seek a waiver to certification. When this does occur, it is typically for a teacher who is within a few credits of completing the endorsement and is actively working on such completion. There are currently no teachers in our Title I schools providing student instruction under a state waiver.

Parents can also ask about paraprofessionals working with their child in reading, writing, or mathematics. We can tell you whether your child receives help from a paraprofessional and whether he/she meets state qualifications and or licensing requirements. All of our paraprofessionals that assist children in reading, writing or mathematics meet state qualifications.

Citizen Complaint Procedures

The following is an overview of the citizen complaint process. It is described fully in Chapter 392-168 WAC, Special Service Programs- Citizen Complain Procedure for Categorical Federal Programs. Find this WAC online: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=392-168

A citizen complaint is a written statement that alleges a violation of a federal rule, law or regulation or state regulation that applies to a federal program.

• Anyone can file a citizen complaint.
• There is no special form.
• There is no need to know the law that governs a federal program to file a complaint.

Follow steps 1 and 2 to complete the citizen complaint process.

1. File a Citizen Complaint with North Thurston Public Schools. Follow process outlined in Policy 4312 and Procedures 4312P in NTPS Policies & Procedures
2. If you are unable to reach a satisfactory solution, file a Citizen Complaint through OSPI. How to file a Citizen Complaint through OSPI