Learning Disabilities Quality Initiative

The Quality Initiative is a program improvement process that plans how local and state leaders will use resources, critical reflection, and research to implement program changes in a way that reduces anxiety and resistance and results in permanent, systemic changes. The Quality Initiative is a joint initiative between the states of Alaska, Montana, Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, and Washington.

Washington State selected learning disabilities to focus this initiative on, because it affects every aspect of instruction from intake to instruction to assessment to transition. The Washington Learning Disabilities Quality Initiative (LDQI) focuses on how to implement a success pathway for students suspected of having LD. There are three steps in the triage process: a short LD screen, a longer LD interview and a no-cost evaluation that includes an intelligence test and an achievement test. After each step students try out interventions. If the interventions do not help the student be successful, they move to the next step. A key feature of the program is Universal Design for Learning which expands learning opportunities through "multiple means of representation, expression and engagement" (CAST).

For further information, contact Kristin Ockert at kockert@sbctc.ctc.edu.