RISE Learning Plans

When learners begin RISE One-to-One instruction at LDS, the first step is for their instructor to build a trusting relationship. By creating a safe and comfortable environment, instructors ease learners into the process through fun, engaging activities. Once the learner feels at ease, instructors gather academic information through informal assessments, adapting these to make them enjoyable. This collected information is used to draft a personalized RISE Learning Plan (RLP) with specific goals and objectives for either math or literacy. The RLP is a dynamic document updated throughout the year, ensuring progress is tracked and shared with families at key intervals.

Gathering Information 

When a learner starts one-to-one sessions at LDS, the first goal is for their instructor to get to know them and build a strong relationship of trust and understanding. At LDS, we know that everyone needs to feel safe and comfortable in a learning environment first and foremost. Our instructors typically start sessions by playing games, exploring common interests, and keeping things light and enjoyable.   

Once a learner feels comfortable in their sessions, their instructor will start developing lesson plans to determine academic strengths, preferred learning methods, and areas of challenge. Informal and/or standardized assessments are a common way of determining academic strength and challenge areas. However, many LDS learners may not enjoy these methods, as they can feel like a test and cause anxiety. Our instructors adapt informal assessments to gather information while keeping sessions enjoyable and comfortable for the learner. Our instructors are skilled in gamifying activities, adapting assessments to a preferred format, and informally observing skills through various games and activities.   

Instructors determine the areas to informally assess by considering the learner’s grade if they are currently in school, any goals stated by the family in the initial intake meeting with LDS, and the instructor’s knowledge of the BC curriculum and common skill progression in the focus area(s) of math and literacy.  

After instructors have gathered all the information they need about a learner’s academic strengths and challenges, they draft the RISE Learning Plan (RLP) goals and objectives.  

Format of an RLP  

A RISE Learning Plan typically has 1-3 broad learning goals for either math or literacy. For each goal, there are one or more specific objectives. Instructors plan lessons and activities that help develop the skills required to achieve these objectives.   

At the beginning of the year, the objectives will have a progress marker of “Beginning” and an empty comments box under each objective.   

Instructors will update the progress markers and add comments as the learner makes progress on any given objective throughout the year. Below is a description of what each progress marker means.   

• Beginning: Either this learning objective has yet to be started in sessions, or the learner still needs to reach 50% mastery or completion of the learning objective.   
• Developing: The learner has reached at least 50% mastery or completion of the learning objective.   
• Applying: The learner has reached 100% mastery or completion of the learning objective.   

RLPs are living documents; instructors adapt and update them as needed. Sometimes, the focus of sessions shifts or progress is faster or slower than anticipated. At year-end, there may be goals or objectives that were not started or that the learner is not yet independent enough with to be marked as “Applying.”  For example, an area not included in the RLP could arise at school, and a learner may ask to focus on that topic until they feel confident with it. Your case manager is always happy to discuss any new information that may impact the RLP and focus of sessions.  

When to Expect RLP Updates 

If a RISE One-to-One learner is in sessions with LDS for the full academic year (early fall to the end of sessions in June), the RLP will be shared with you three times:  

1. An initial RLP showing the goals and objectives 
2. A mid-year update showing the progress so far 
3. A year-end update showing the progress across all sessions   

Initial RLP: An instructor typically develops an RLP in 4 – 6 weeks. You will be emailed when the RLP is ready to view on Teachworks.   

Mid-Year RLP Update: If learners start sessions with LDS between September and November, their RLP will be shared with their family again mid-year, between January and March, depending on the month they started sessions. You will be emailed when a mid-year update is ready to view on Teachworks.   

Year-End RLP Update: Learners attending LDS for the entire academic year will have year-end RLP updates shared with their families by the end of July. You will be emailed when the RLP is ready to view on Teachworks.    

Late Starts or Discontinuing   

If a learner joins us later in the school year or discontinues before the end of the school year, adjustments will be made to when or if RLPs will be created or shared. For example:  

• Learners who leave before the end of the school year may not get a final RLP.
• Learners who start sessions later in the school year may not get an RLP so that instructors can maximize instructional time.   

How to Find RLPs on Teachworks

1. Go to: https://ldsociety.teachworks.com/accounts/login  
2. Enter your email and password (if you don’t remember your password, please click on “Reset Your Password” and enter your email address)  
3. After logging in, Click “Profile” (in the menu bar at the top of the page)  
4. Scroll down to the “Students” section, and click on the student’s name  
5. Scroll down to the “Files” section and click the file. RLPs are named “Learner Name_RLP_2024-2025″.   

Each time an RLP is shared with you, you are invited to book a 15-minute virtual meeting with your learner’s case manager. If you would like to have a more in-depth conversation with your case manager, please book a family coaching session.   

How to Share Your RLP

You may want to share your RLP with your school team. You can directly share a copy of the RLP you downloaded from Teachworks with your school team. Reach out to your case managers for any questions or support in coordinating learning goals between LDS and your school.  

– Virginia Van Zee, Senior Manager, Instruction and Innovation

LDS is a community of dedicated professionals who write collaboratively. We recognize the contribution of unnamed team members for their wisdom and input.