Lamplighter

Information for
Parents and Teachers


Question: The Lamplighter ERC offers diagnostic teaching. What is this?
Answer: Diagnostic teaching is instruction based on individual need and careful evaluation. It considers psychomotor, cognitive, and affective (body, mind, and emotions) factors of human growth and development. The purpose of diagnosis is to determine students' needs, in order to plan and implement appropriate educational programs. Built into the concept of diagnostic teaching is the idea that we must first determine what students know and do not know, what they can and cannot do, before we can determine what and how to teach. Diagnostic teaching recognizes and respects student differences.

Question: What is the difference between correction and remediation?
Answer: The major difference between correction and remediation has to do with the severity of the student's problem. Correction can usually take place in the classroom during the regular public or private school program. If correction does not occur, however, on a regular basis, problems can accelerate. Timely and well-designed correction can eliminate the need for remediation. A student needs correction when he or she has fallen behind in reading, mathematics, or other skills, and performance is not consistent with ability. In contrast, remediation is necessary when the student's performance is so far behind his ability that he or she needs extensive individual instruction. Two major indications that students need special help are obvious stress and lack of achievement consistent with ability.

Question: Does the Lamplighter require pre-admission testing?
Answer: No. Parents are asked for copies of school records, including standardized test results. If parents forward release forms to the schools, records can be mailed directly to the Lamplighter. If deemed necessary, any additional survey or diagnostic academic testing can be accomplished at the Lamplighter during regular instructional periods. Please ask, if there are questions on this.

Question: What is the procedure for arranging for instruction?
Answer: Parents (or adult students wishing instruction) call or stop by, fill out a one-page registration form, and pay a $18.00 registration fee for individual instruction. Once the registration form is completed and the registration fee is paid, the director asks a teacher to call the parent to schedule the first lesson.

Question: What is the payment procedure?
Answer: All payment for individual instruction is on a pay-as-you-go basis. Except for the registration fee, there is no advance payment for individual instruction. There are no hidden costs. Parents pay each week for that week's lesson or lessons. There is, however, a $10.00 charge for any "no-shows" or late (same day) cancellations. While there is no charge for early cancellations, the Lamplighter reserves the right to stop serving students who have frequent cancellations.

In contrast to the procedure for individual instruction, payment for classes is made in full at the time of registration.

Question: Does the Lamplighter help high school students prepare for college-entrance tests? Are students at all levels helped to prepare for their State proficiency tests?
Answer: Yes. High school students wishing to prepare for the ACT, SAT or other entrance tests work individually with teachers here. Two different teachers help the students. One teaches all the mathematics; another teaches all the verbal sections. Books for study are in the Lamplighter store. Payment and procedures are the same as for other academic tutoring.

Elementary and high school students are also helped with preparation for their State proficiency examinations.

For more information, see our Test Preparation section.

Question: What enrichment activities are offered at the Lamplighter?
Answer: The Lamplighter offers classes/activities as parents request, if possible and pending sufficient enrollment. Enrichment classes are limited to no more than eight students. Usually, there are no more than six students to a class. During the summer, there is a full schedule of small-group enrichment activities. Enrichment may be offered also throughout the year on an individual basis for those who wish.

Question: What are the qualifications of Lamplighter teachers and specialists?
Answer: Academic teachers and specialists have experience in public or private schools. They are certified by the Department of Education, State of Ohio. Tutors at the Center are certified teachers with a minimum of a bachelor's degree. Specialists have earned a minimum of a master's degree. Occasionally, consultants with degrees in fields other than teaching may be asked to teach in their respective fields. All Lamplighter teachers/tutors are chosen for their commitment to students and to learning.

Please call us at (513) 831-6344 for further information.


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