Gesu School

On Monday, March 7 I sat down and talked with Janet Maldonado, the reading specialist at the Gesu School who is employed by the District of Philadelphia.  Janet's job entails that she does "early intervention" which means that she tests all the students in grades K through 3 to see if they are on path with the rest of the students.  The test is called the "Dibble Test" and it is designed to target the students who are struggling with their work and take those students and give them extra help in learning the basics such as math and reading.  Janet has about 42 students who come see her in small groups of six to ensure the extra attention that is needed is received.  Janet's formal training for this job was getting her Master's in reading.  She decided to go back an get her Masters after some previous teaching jobs she had made her realize the need for a reading specialist in the younger grades.
The greatest current need for the Gesu School that is not met by the Philadelphia School District is the need for more self contained special education outside the classroom.  The 45 minutes a day that is currently being offered and run by Janet is not enough.  The most positive support received by the Gesu that is a direct result of the Philadelphia School District is Janet herself.  Also they receive laptops, computer assisted instruction which help with math and reading.
The expectations Janet has for the future of her students is that they will be on the same reading level as the rest of their class and they will be on target to graduate and move on to a good high school.