When evidence and identity come together in teaching and learning, every student has the opportunity to thrive.
At LD@school, evidence-based instruction and inclusive practice work together. Each strengthens the other when grounded in students’ diverse identities and strengths. Research on how students learn and the lived experiences of Ontario’s students inform our work. Together, they help educators connect direct, specific instruction with equity, identity, and belonging across classrooms.
| Our Focus | Why It Matters | How LD@school Supports |
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| The Science Works When Students Belong | Students learn best when they feel safe, valued, and represented. Belonging and identity-affirming instruction are not extras; they’re conditions for learning. |
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| Evidence & Equity in Practice | Evidence-based teaching has the greatest impact when it is explicit, direct, and accessible for all learners. Equity ensures every student can benefit from the science of reading, math, and learning. |
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| The Neurodiverse Classroom | Learning disabilities and ADHD are part of the learning-science conversation. Understanding executive function, working memory, and attention helps educators design instruction that matches how the brain learns. |
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| Intermediate and Secondary Instruction: Literacy, Mathematics, and Learning Technologies | Explicit, direct, specific instruction in literacy and math supports confidence, motivation, and belonging as learning deepens through the intermediate and secondary years. |
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| From Research to Relationships | Instructional science succeeds when trust, representation, and psychological safety are embedded in everyday teaching. Relationships make evidence come alive in classrooms. |
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| Partnering with Families & Communities | When families and schools share language, knowledge, and strategies, evidence-based practice continues beyond the classroom. Collaboration sustains learning over time. |
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Bringing Research to Practice
LD@school and TA@l’école connect evidence-based instruction with inclusive approaches that recognize students’ diverse identities and strengths. We continue to develop and update resources throughout the year, so check back often for new materials, learning opportunities, and educator supports.