Michael Ufer Learning Program

Students who have particular learning challenges may be recommended for the Academic Support class. This elective class (1 credit per semester within the block schedule) is designed to provide students in grades 9-12 with a structured, closely monitored learning environment where they can develop the motivational, organizational and academic skills needed to become confident, independent learners. The class offers accountability, encouragement, study strategies for success and hands-on practical help for students who want a helping hand with their academics. The class structure involves teaching specific study strategies, filling out a master calendar for accountability for tests, quizzes and projects, and collaborative time to work on core classes with the help of the academic support teacher and junior/senior student mentors. There is also individual teacher/student conferencing to resolve issues of concern. Some students might also require outside professional subject-specific tutoring in addition to the class.

The academic support teachers work closely with the Learning Resource Specialist to recommend strategies to assist students with their specific learning needs. 

Placement in the Academic Support Class is determined by the Learning Program Team and the Academic Office.  

Students should be self advocates; they are encouraged to acknowledge the need for support and actively seek it out. The curriculum and instruction are not modified; however, college approved accommodations to support student learning can be provided through an Individual Learning Plan (ILP).

Under section 504 (504 34CFR 104.39A) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1972, students attending a private school may qualify for minor adjustments to their education experience in order to offer them an opportunity to succeed in the classroom and beyond. To qualify for a 504 Plan, the student must…”… have a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities” (Section 504).

In order to develop and implement an ILP, a student is required to provide documentation of a diagnosed learning or psychological disability. The documentation must be: 

• a Psychoeducational Evaluation, Cognitive Testing, and/or Educational Testing conducted by an Educational Psychologist or other professional education evaluator. 

• State the specific learning, psychological or medical disability as diagnosed, including DSM-V Code (if available) 

• Provide relevant educational, developmental, and medical history

• Describe the diagnostic tests used to determine the disability (in compliance with College Board www.collegeboard.org/ssd and ACT’s  www.act.org Guidelines for Documentation) 

• Establish the professional credentials of the evaluator(s).

• Educational/Psychological testing must be current within a 5 year window of the students anticipated high school graduation date.
  Most colleges and universities will require evaluations to be completed as an adult for consideration for accommodations.

• This testing is conducted at parent expense through private clinicians or through Seattle Public Schools. 

Dependent on the provided documentation and clinician recommendations, Bishop Blanchet can offer the following accommodations:

• Preferential Seating

• Extended Time on Tests and Exams - 50%

• Separate Location for Tests, Quizzes, Exams

• Access to peer notes or teacher notes

• Access to computer for in-class work or written portions of exams (student provided)

• Tests Read

• Consult Teacher

 Upon completion of the plan, the ILP is shared annually with the student, parents, and school counselor. The Individual Learning Plan is shared with the student’s teachers each semester.

The Learning Resource Specialist is available to assist both teachers and students as they work together to utilize the supplemental aids and testing accommodations. Informal Consultant Teacher services are also available so that students have an opportunity to meet with a Learning Program teacher periodically throughout the academic year for guidance or assistance.

Guidelines for testing with approved accommodations on College Board and ACT tests: 

We encourage students and parents to review College Board's and ACT's test registration guidelines as they relate to testing with approved accommodations.  

• www.collegeboard.org/ssd -  College Board requires that Cognitive and Educational testing be completed or updated within the last (5) years

• www.act.org  - ACT requires that Cognitive and Educational testing be completed or updated within the last three (3) years

Bishop Blanchet will offer accommodated testing for SAT and ACT on campus for specific dates only. School based accommodated testing is only provided for those accommodations that cannot be met at a national test site.  

Students and/or parents need to confirm with the Learning Resource Specialist prior to registering for the exam to ensure accommodation and date availability. 

SAT and ACT accommodated (school based) test dates for the 2023-2024:    

           SAT: 10/07/2023*

           ACT: 9/09/2023 and 2/10/2024*

* dates subject to change