Learning & Growing Together
While college is usually for the 18-and-over crowd, UNLV offers a number of programs to serve Southern Nevada children.
Zeiter Literacy Development Center
The Gayle Zeiter Literacy Development Center is one example of how the College of Education is helping children prepare for a successful future.
The center provides one-on-one reading, writing, and word study tutoring for elementary and middle school students in the Las Vegas Valley. UNLV students who are seniors or graduate students in elementary education serve as tutors as part of their coursework.
Parents bring their children in for an hour-long tutoring session once a week. The Zeiter Literacy Development Center tutors approximately 35 students each semester for a small fee, which is based on income. It ranges from $25 to $100 for all 10 sessions.
UNLV/CSUN Preschool at the Lynn Bennett Early Childhood Education Center
The preschool's full inclusion philosophy recognizes the diverse needs, abilities, and interests in a setting where each child is valued and respected as a unique individual developing at his or her own rate. "All children, including those with special needs, learn and grow together," said Claire Tredwell, preschool director.
The preschool has an interagency agreement with support services from the Clark County School District for children with disabilities who have an Individualized Education Plan.
College of Education students come to the preschool for training and research. One classroom is equipped with cameras and microphones so researchers can observe the children's interactions and teaching instruction.
The preschool has 251 children ranging in age from 6 weeks to 5 years and is nationally accredited through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Students, faculty, and staff from UNLV, as well as community members, can access the facility for childcare while taking classes or working.
UNLV Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders
The Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders (CASD) educates and trains families and professionals dealing with autism and conducts research into effective interventions.
The center supports individuals with autism from birth through adulthood, though most children are not diagnosed until after age 2 or 3. Early intervention is key and can lead to a better quality of life and improve future learning and development for children with autism, said Shannon Crozier, associate director.
"Our success is the success of our families," Crozier said. "The greatest indicator that we are achieving success is when parents report back that they now understand their child's challenging behaviors and are able to effect positive change."
Since being established in 2006, the center has helped more then 35 families of children with autism and intensive behavior needs. It also has trained more then 500 parents, professionals, and graduate students on positive behavior supports and behavior intervention strategies.
UNLV GEAR UP
UNLV's Center for Academic Enrichment and Outreach runs the federal GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs), an initiative that helps low-income Clark County students prepare for and succeed in college as well as postsecondary education. The program targets students in at-risk middle and high schools.
Keith Rogers, the center's deputy director for operations, said that students need opportunities to acquire the appropriate academic skills, financial assistance, and psychosocial support to succeed in college.
Some of the services GEAR UP provides, include:
- Academic and career counseling
- Tutoring
- Homework assistance
- College field trips
- UNLV summer residential program
Related Information
College of Education
UNLV/CSUN Preschool
GEAR UP program
Invent the Future campaign story
