Statements
Mission
Learning Matters , founded in 2006, reduces barriers to learning and ensures educational equity for K-12 students with learning disabilities by providing evidence-based interventions implemented by specialized practitioners. Dyslexia is the most prevalent learning disability, impacting 20% of the population. Learning Matters is the only area agency that provides assessment, intervention and advocacy regardless of an individuals ability to pay.
Background
Learning Matters provides K-12 students, regardless of socio-economic status, a team of experienced educational practitioners who assess students academic abilities and offer intensive instruction to remediate the students' needs, improve performance and grades in school, increase feelings of self-worth, and enhance opportunities for success in life. Most of the work involves one-on-one intervention with experienced teachers for students with learning difficulties. Learning Matters, Inc. can also administer a complete psycho-educational evaluation or an educational screening, both conducted by qualified and experienced Psychologists. All services are provided on a sliding scale fee structure based on family income, making Learning Matters, Inc. the first in the Nashville area to offer this level of supportive educational learning services to any student, regardless of income level. The majority of students who access the services provided by Learning Matters, Inc. have some form of diagnosed learning disability. The prescriptive programs used are research-based and have proven to increase student skills and self-confidence. Students are matched with experienced teachers or learning specialists whose backgrounds and teaching experience complement the student's needs. Teachers are screened, and references are checked before hiring. Teachers are provided numerous opportunities for ongoing professional development and individual planning sessions with one of the directors. The directors closely monitor the individual tutoring plans for each student to be sure that growth in skills is maximized. Students are assured of always working with the same teacher, and care is given to see that missed sessions are rescheduled to ensure continuity and progress. Learning Matters, Inc. strives to create an atmosphere of collaboration and support among each student's parents, classroom teachers, relevant school personnel, and Learning Matters, Inc. staff to provide the best quality instruction and means for success in school. These services are unique in Nashville because they are available on a sliding fee schedule based on family income. No other organization in Nashville offers this type of intensive, one-on-one intervention.
Impact
Learning Matters, Inc. was formed in July 2006 in response to an unmet need in the Nashville community for high-quality academic support services for children from all economic backgrounds.
With the support of our community, in 2023 we were able to:
• Provide 8112 hours of interventional tutoring to students in our community.
• Evaluate the learning profiles of 255 students through our comprehensive assessments.
• Provide 446 hours of advocacy to attain equitable educational opportunities for students.
• Offer $120,000 in scholarship funds to help caregivers offset the cost of services.
A few of the projects we are working on for 2024:
• First Quarter: 2nd Annual Music City Run for Dyslexia at Shelby Park on September 28, 2024
• Second Quarter: We will host the 2nd annual Rise Up for Readers breakfast to educate and garner support from our vibrant business community.
• Third Quarter: We will offer a summer Intensive Reading Program for students who struggle to read at grade level or are impacted by Dyslexia.
• Fourth Quarter: Our Board of Directors will complete our Board Development plan
Needs
We would be grateful for sustaining monthly recurring gifts. Our primary focus is serving students from any income level. 1) Monetary donations help bridge the gap between what a family can afford to pay and the cost of providing academic support (tutoring, assessment, advocacy). 100% of donations are used for for students.
We are also seeking individuals interested in supporting our mission through Board Service.
CEO Statement
Learning Matter, Inc. is in its 18th year providing learning support services to students in grades K-12 who are struggling to find success in school. Students come to Learning Matters for one-on-one teaching, assessment, and advocacy. They come for teaching support in a variety of different areas. Language-based learning disabilities make up 80 percent of all learning disabilities, so many of our students are dyslexic or need support with reading comprehension, spelling, grammar, or written expression. Other students may need support with math, study skills, organization, or other content-specific areas. All students are carefully matched with an experienced teacher, and a teaching plan is developed based on the individual needs of the student. Students who come to Learning Matters for assessment receive psycho-educational assessments or diagnostic assessments of language skills. A team made up of a licensed school psychologist, an educational specialist, and a reading specialist administers psycho-educational assessments. Diagnostic assessments to pinpoint the breakdown for students who are struggling with reading, spelling, comprehension, and written expression are conducted by the reading specialist. The team meets with the Executive Director, and a comprehensive report is developed. The Executive Director then conducts a feedback meeting with the parents, recommendations are made, and a plan is developed for ensuring that the student gets the necessary intervention. Advocacy is provided when requested for all students who have received assessments or one-on-one teaching at Learning Matters.
Board Chair Statement
Learning Matters, Inc. has experienced phenomenal growth in the 18 years since it was founded. The organization has grown one student at a time to approximately 432 students receiving academic support last calendar year, 30% of whom receive services on a sliding payment scale. These students are served by a staff of over 30 professionals. As a not for profit, our goal is to ensure that all students in the Nashville area have the opportunity to receive educational services by experienced and trained teachers and educational specialists regardless of income level. Learning Matters has been able to provide these services on a sliding fee scale due to individual donations and grant support. Learning Matters is unique among non-profit organizations as it can cover much of its operating and overhead expenses with the fees generated from the full fee clientele. Learning Matters is extremely grateful to the corporations, community groups, and individual donors that have allowed the organization to help the students that we serve experience success as learners.
Service Categories |
|
| Primary Category: | Education - Educational Services |
| Secondary Category: | Education - Remedial Reading & Encouragement |
| Tertiary Category: | Education - Special Education |
Areas Served
We primarily serve Davidson and its surrounding counties.
| TN - Dickson |
| TN - Davidson |
| TN - Williamson |
| TN - Rutherford |
| TN - Franklin |
| TN - Wilson |
| TN - Sumner |
| TN - Cheatham |
| TN - Giles |
