Student Tutoring Services
What age students does the center work with?
The center is currently accepting students in grades kindergarten through 8th grade. There are no “quick” fixes for dyslexia and the program we use takes 1-3 years. We will consider older students on a case-by-case basis.
We work with students from the Battle Creek area public and private schools that are part of the Battle Creek Area Educators’ Task Force.
Battle Creek Public Schools
Pennfield School District
Harper Creek School District
Lakeview School District
Battle Creek Area Catholic Schools
Battle Creek Christian Elementary
Calhoun Christian School
Does my child have to be diagnosed with dyslexia in order to benefit from the center?
No, a diagnosis of dyslexia requires testing by a licensed clinical psychologist.
We look at a child’s reading history and characteristics to help us determine if a child could benefit from our program.
How early can a child be identified as having language / reading difficulties?
Children as young as five and one-half can be identified as having language difficulties that can lead to future reading failure. Most research shows that waiting to provide support is not the best approach.
Who will my child be working with?
While many of our tutors have an educational degree, they are required to have two years of college, or related educational experiences. They have to pass a background/fingerprint test. They attend an initial one-day of training, and then attend on-going training on a monthly basis.
How often and where will my child be working with a tutor?
Tutors work with students two days a week for one hour each time at the student’s school. Tutors begin working with the student right after school and work for one hour. Parents are responsible for picking their child up from the tutoring session.
What program does the center use?
Our tutors work with the Barton Reading and Spelling Program. An Orton Gillingham, phonics based, multisensory program designed for working with dyslexics. The program meets all the Federal No Child Left Behind guidelines. You can obtain more information about the program at the following web sites: www.bartonreading.com or www.brightsolutions.us.
Parents / guardians and teachers are given detailed information as to the content of each level as the student enters it. As students complete each level, they are given an end-of-book assessment. Parents receive a copy of those results. Parents and teachers receive a report after each session that tells what skills were covered in that session.
How long does the program take to complete?
There are no “quick fixes” when it comes to dyslexia. The program, depending on how quickly a child moves through it, takes 2 to 3 years.
Does the tutor work with my child in the summer?
In the past, summer tutoring decisions have been made between the tutor and the family. Some tutors have met through June, taken July off, and then started up again the first of August. Some families try to continue throughout the summer with time off for vacations for both the student and the tutor. Other families decide not to continue over the summer. Summer tutoring is handled on an individual basis.
Is there a cost for the tutoring?
Tutoring fees are structured along the lines of the federal free and reduced lunch schedule based on family size and income. The maximum rate is $30.00 per session. Those that qualify for reduced lunch pay $15.00 a session and those that qualify for free lunch pay $5.00 per session. There are special need-based scholarships available. A fee schedule is sent out with the application packet.
How do I obtain services for my child?
Parents/guardians can contact the BDC (966-40093). They will be sent an application packet. Parents/guardians and teachers are asked to complete a Characteristics of Dyslexia checklist, and fill out a questionnaire about the student’s strengths and areas of concern. The packet contains a release form for representatives from the center to view the child’s school records. Once the forms are returned, the center makes arrangements with the school and school records are reviewed. A representative from the center meets with the student and conducts some auditory discrimination and phonological awareness assessments. Parents will be notified prior to the meeting with the student.
Parents / guardians are then contacted and there is a discussion as to whether the program would be a good fit for their child. A representative from the center will meet with the parent(s)/guardian(s) to go over the Parent Handbook prior to beginning tutoring sessions.
Quotes from Parents:
“My son is truly a gift to me and for me to find a program to help him means everything to me. He has done so well. It truly opens up so many more doors for him. Words can’t express our Thank You!”
“Our son has truly benefited from the tutoring and he is consistently using the strategies he has been taught in class.”
“Our son has struggled since 1st grade with reading, writing and spelling. Teachers had NO info for me as far as any problem. He is now a 7th grader and started tutoring this year and it has made a world of difference! Right away he had more confidence in doing his own work (without my constant help). Thank you so much!”
“We are so grateful for the help our son has received this year. For the first time in his life he has gotten the instruction he needs to read. He has a long way to go, but his self-esteem and behavior has greatly improved and we feel he will succeed. He has been truly blessed with a wonderful teacher and tutor and we will be eternally thankful to the Binda Foundation for providing this service. Your gift is immeasurable!”
“Thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity that the Binda Dyslexia Center is giving our son. We have noticed that his confidence has tremendously improved since he has begun tutoring. We have also noticed improvement in his reading and writing abilities. He has also mentioned this year that he ‘likes ‘ going to school. He has never said that before. In fact, he’s always strongly disliked school in the past. The Binda Dyslexia Center has really helped our son and we sincerely want to thank you. “
“The Binda Dyslexia Project has provided mountains of opportunities for my son. With intervention early on, he doesn’t see Dyslexia as a disability. In fact, he achieved an “Advanced” score in reading on the MEAP his 5th grade year. Sure, he is still struggling in writing, but with confidence in reading as his ally, now he can take on any subject-area and excel. In addition, the speakers the project has funded have enlightened the thinking of our community and beyond. Thank you is not enough.”
“I love the program and I see progress with my daughter.”
“Our son’s progress through this tutoring program has been observed in several ways by various people in isolated settings. First, his 4th grade teacher was very positive at conferences because his reading is at grade level now where he was at late second grade at the beginning of the school year. All his grades are A’s and B’s. His reading teacher at the Kumon Math and Reading Center commented that his reading has progressed significantly this year. Deployed since January, his dad comments that his ability to put his thoughts together as he is conversing with Dad on the phone has significantly improved since last year. He is able to carry on conversations and has less difficulty expressing his thoughts.”
“During a recent graduation ceremony we were attending, I was overwhelmed and reminded of my own graduation and the hopelessness I felt as the speaker repeatedly said this was going to be the best time of our lives. But in my ears rang the words of a teacher weeks before as she threw my final report on my desk with a big red F on it and yelled in front of the whole class "Only stupid, ignorant, and lazy people can't spell".
After that I remember mostly just crying for the next few weeks before graduation. I don't think anyone knew it was because while all of my classmates were making their big plans for the fall and the future, I basically had none. They didn't know in addition to not being able to spell, I couldn’t form a sentence or construct a paragraph. (Or is that the other way around?) The collage rejection letters began coming one by one. With little or no direction or support from my parents and family, I was lost. I did end up attending a small local college but survived only one semester. In my mind I blamed the school system for allowing me to fall between the cracks and go all the way through school and graduate as what I thought at the time was an illiterate.
Fast forward 30 years to the day I went to my youngest son’s first kindergarten parent teacher conference. We were heart- broken as the very loved and respected teacher wept as she told us that something was not right. Although unidentifiable at the time, she felt it might impede his learning if not identified and addressed. That day I was hit like a freight train with my past and my own inadequacies We wandered kind of lost for awhile, grasping at anything for answers. After receiving the diagnosis of Dyslexia we began the difficult task of getting help. Along the way and through a curious set of circumstances, I found the number for the Binda Dyslexia Center and Mrs. VanZanten. After talking to her and asking questions a mile a minute I hung up the phone and just sobbed with a hope I had not had in years. I had found the help for my son so he would not fall through the cracks as I had.
It kind of reminds me of a book I bought recently titled "Right People, Right Place, Right Plan" and for our family it was also at the right time. Our experience with the Binda Dyslexia Center has been such a wonderful experience since we stared a year ago. Our lives have changed, our son’s life has changed and even our extended family that have had such a hard time understanding dyslexia and the steps to treat it, have been impacted in a positive way. Our hearts have been forever touched by two families who fought through their tragedy and devastation and decided to do something positive to change their world. The legacy of that generosity will transform the future of my children, their children, and their children's children in a miraculous way for many years to come. Generations will speak of the Binda and Christ families’ story and the impact they made in so many lives. My family is forever changed by the vision and kindness that you have shared. Of course you are invited in 2016 as our son participates in his graduation full of confidence and hope for a wonderful future. May blessings pour out to you as you continue in this gift to our community. Thank you
Oh and p.s. Sorry about any grammar mistakes, when we found out that our son had dyslexia, the doctor said I have severe dyslexia too.”
“The program is wonderful – giving the power back to the students.”
“My son’s English grade was a C- in the second quarter, by the semester grade it was a B! Wow”
“The one-on-one tutoring is great! It has really improved their relationship. My son loves his tutor.”
The program has opened Battle Creek’s eyes to the problems related to dyslexia. Simply the awareness is a fabulous step in the right direction.”
“My son’s confidence in school has grown ten-fold since working with his dyslexia tutor. He knows he is smart; he knows he can do it; he knows he needs to work hard.”
“My son has also shared (that) he feels more willing to write and really express himself. Writing is horribly difficult, but the tools he has gained from his tutoring encourage him to try.”
“The one-on-one tutoring has given my son the tools to use in the classroom. He has begun to become a student that believes greatness is possible.”
“The special events and presenters have given our family resources to help our son and the other children we know.”
“My son has developed a special bond with his tutor. She is so positive and supportive. She encourages him but also pushes him to do his best. He said that he feels so much better about himself because he knows now that he’s not stupid – he just has difficulty with language arts – it has a name. Dyslexia! Thank you.”
“This program has raised my son’s level of reading and spelling so that he can function in his classroom. And having the tutor program in his school has raised the awareness with the teachers that this program exists. We continue to give Overcoming Dyslexia to every teacher our children have each year.”
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