Diagnosing and Intervening at School Level
Nitan has taken upon itself a very serious commitment, one that puts her in the front of making social change happen. Indeed, Nitzan is an agent of social change. By assisting children with learning disabilities Nitzan is promoting social equality, allowing for children to blossom – children who otherwise might have a little chance to meet success in life.
We all know these vicious circles of disadvantage. Poor parents in many countries do not have any real chance 'to make it' for their children, and Israel is no exception. In Israel this is compounded by issues that touch upon its core, like migration to the country. For many years new immigrants have been settling in peripheral areas, away from the best Israel can give in terms of academic achievement. In these areas, children with learning disabilities are unlikely to get diagnosed and are thus being prevented from adequate assistance. This, so we in Nitzan, has to change. We need to reach out to these children.
Children deserve to blossom, to gain support. The project described here is designed to remedy a situation where some children lag behind others, suffer from poor self- image. In Nitzan we are dedicated to their welfare, and therefore we need to approach them by and large when they are in their 2nd or 3rd grade. At times we also try to locate children with disability later on in their school career, simply because they deserve that right to be diagnosed. And, yes, the older the children are, the more difficult it is 'to put them back on track'. Yet this is what we are set to do, to reverse the trend and avail a wide range of services so as to remedy the situation described here.
What are then the steps that should be taken? How will the change come about? Nitzan has vast experience not only is applying the right diagnostic procedures but also in considering every child as a whole. We do not ignore emotional or social aspects, or else we shall fail to succeed in seeing the child as a whole.
The project is thus aimed to diagnose and to treat children in peripheral areas who exhibit difficulties with their academic chores and otherwise demonstrate either behavioral or emotional difficulties. The range of problems is indeed wide. By now we are all too aware that social problems, including unemployment, interfere with parents ability to gain the intervention that their child need. However, we cannot ignore the plight of the children. To build a healthy society demands that we attend to the children, the fabric of future Israeli society.
We in Israel encourage Jews from all over the globe to settle in Israel, and therefore we are committed to all those who come and make our country stronger.
There are the stages of the project:
1. Campaign. Representatives of Nitzan meet with primary schools head masters, alongside with officials of educational and welfare department of the town or city, to explain what the project is about.
2. Mapping. Schools identify at this stage children who might need diagnosis. A preliminary procedure is undertaken, so as to compare reading and writing skills of children with national standards.
3. Didactic diagnosis. Those who are suspected to suffer from learning disability are undergoing diagnostic procedure.
4. Joint meeting of teachers and parents. Representatives of Nitzan meet the child, his parents, as well as his personal teacher. They discuss the results of the diagnostic procedure so as to form a treatment plan customized to the child's needs. If necessary, child received support directly from the branch on Nitzan, in addition to that obtained in school.
5. Ongoing tuition. For 24 weeks children will receive additional tuition, twice a week, to support them with subjects learned at school. Either 2 or 3 children participate in each session. This will be provided by the professional team of Nitzan.
Throughout the period of the project the team will meet every three months, so as to jointly assess the progress of the child. By the end of the school year we shall ascertain that a full assessment is made of his or her performance in school. Both the school team and the parents fill by then a feedback form, so as to prepare the grounds for the next year.
Our rich experience tells us that, by the end of the school year, most of the children participating in the project will be able to bridge the gap, and their academic achievements match those of their peers. However, is some children are still facing difficulties, they will continue to obtain assistance from the professional team of Nitzan.
See also how such a program is applied to specific towns and cities in Israel, such as Tiberias and Afula.