A Letter from Phil Kirk
Understanding the
Differences in Learning
 In my role as chairman of the State Board of Education, I am 100 percent convinced that all
children can learn and most are capable of learning more
than educators and parents have expected in the past.
But I always quickly point
out that as a father of four daughters and as a former
teacher, I recognize that it takes different teaching
techniques and methods — and a healthy dose of
patience!
Because we are raising
standards and expectations for all children by ending
social promotion and by requiring passage of a rigorous,
comprehensive exit exam for a high school diploma for
most students, it is imperative that educators know and
understand the most effective way to educate all
students. Our goal is to help students succeed, not to
cause failure.
There is a wonderful group
— headquartered in Chapel Hill but perhaps even
better known across the country — that is dedicated
to helping children with learning differences be
successful.
All Kinds of Minds is a
nonprofit institute dedicated to the understanding of
differences in learning. Dr. Mel Levine, the genius
behind the institute and its much-respected leader,
created it to help children with learning differences
achieve success in the classroom and in life by providing
a common language, tools and programs for parents,
educators and clinicians.
Dr. Levine espouses the
belief that millions of children struggle in the
traditional school setting because parents and teachers
often do not understand the many ways children's brains
are wired. They want to help these children learn and
succeed, but they often don't know how. I've had the
pleasure of talking and listening to Dr. Levine several
times, and I'm always impressed by his common sense,
practical approach to helping teachers help all of their
students become more successful learners.
Since 1995, All Kinds of
Minds has helped thousands of children, educators, and
families. The institute provides a comprehensive
framework to identify specific learning issues; profiles
of each child's learning strengths and weaknesses;
practical action plans; Web site, books, videos, and
audio cassettes in easy-to-understand languages; and
training, tools and seminars.
The institute is beginning
a National Awareness Campaign through a PBS special and
learning library. It will expand its outstanding Schools
Attuned Program and will create a national network of
Student Success Centers. The centers for parents and
their children are modeled after Dr. Levine's successful
practice at the Center for Learning and Development at
the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. A center
will open in the Research Triangle and regional ones are
planned for San Francisco and New York City.
On the All Kinds of Minds
national board are North Carolinians Sen. Tony Rand, who
has led the successful effort for state funding; Bob
Eubanks and Sidna Rizzo, both of Chapel Hill; and Dr.
Bill Jordan of Fayetteville. Dr. Levine, the founder and
co-chairman, is a professor of pediatrics and director of
the Clinical Center for the Study of Development and
Learning at the UNC School of Medicine. Eubanks is
president of the Board of Trustees.
Major funding has come
from 12 foundations, five individuals and the General
Assembly. For example, Charles Schwab has made a $10
million grant that is to be matched.
For more information, call
Ben Case, chief development officer, at 919-933-8082 or
visit the web site at www.allkindsofminds.org.
Return to magazine
index
|
