There are 3 Extended Learning Assistance Centres in Vancouver Public Schools and 8 Extended Skills Development Centres in Vancouver High Schools. Both programs provide essential early intervention services to children with learning disabilities. There are currently about 165 students in these programs and 50 on waiting lists. I am part of an ad hoc district-wide parent group formed to fight for these kids and their programs. I have two children enrolled and can vouch for how desperately this help is needed.

These programs must continue in order to

1. enable these children who are intelligent but learn differently to reach their potential,
2. protect the education of other children in regular classes who will suffer if teachers are not given support for students with special needs who require special attention, and
3. prevent future social costs if these issues are not dealt with now. (Studies show that more than half the inmates in U.S. prisons suffer from some form of learning disability that did not receive attention when they were in school.)

I invite you to join us in Vancouver-Kensington to fight for the continuation of these programs. Contact Steve Turnbull at
SAVE THE ELACS ACTION GROUP

If pop-up text does not function on your computer, you may wish to copy, post and send the following text to Patrick Wong and Gordon Campbell ([email protected] and [email protected]).

Dear Patrick Wong and Premier Campbell -It is socially irresponsible to dismantle programs that are needed to help children with learning disabilities reach their potential. We ask that ELAC and ESDL programs continue without threat of termination or truncation. These programs are vital not only to give these children a chance, but to assure regular classes are not harmed by diversion of resources. We believe that any short term budget savings achieved by cutting these programs will simply lead to higher social costs in the future.

Sincerely, (your name and location)

URL: http://www.vcn.bc.ca/grsvk/elacs.html