James Still Learning Center

Through its James Still Learning Center for children with dyslexia and dyslexic characteristics, the Settlement School continues an emphasis on serving students whose needs are not being met through the traditional school system. The Center includes an After-School Program, a Summer Tutorial Program and a Full-Time School for elementary students. It has served more than 2,000 students and their parents since its inception.

Research shows that 74 percent of children who are poor readers in the 3rd grade remain poor readers in the 9th grade. Early identification of children with dyslexic characteristics coupled with programs that enable them to “learn how to learn” is critical to these students’ self-esteem and future success.

The programs offered by the James Still Learning Center are an investment that brings tangible results. Students who are able to overcome their learning differences are much more likely to succeed in school and go on to college. On average, a high school graduate earns $26,200 annually, while high school dropouts earn $19,000 a year. So not finishing school costs each student $7,200 in potential annual earnings. Over the course of a lifetime the lost earning potential between a high school dropout and someone who graduates from college is $1.1 million. It doesn’t take much to extrapolate what that loss of potential means to families, communities and local economies.

Research suggests that people with dyslexia are often of average to above-average intelligence. They just process information differently. The Hindman Settlement School believes investing in these young people is a long-term strategy that has and will continue to benefit the region.

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions to help you determine if these programs would be beneficial. Additional resources for parents with children who learn differently are available on the Internet. SchwabLearning.org is a good place to start your search.

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