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New Perspectives -
Jun, 2000 Issue #70
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Bachman
Learning Center
David Passmore
McDonald, Tennessee
423-479-4523
info@bachmanlearningcenter.org
“Bachman Learning Center has been in the ministry of serving children,
youth and families for over eighty-six years,” serving over “8000 children from all over the State of Tennessee.” First a school,
then an orphanage, this past year they decided to focus their efforts on helping students with learning differences. Seeking “to effect
a positive and enduring change in young lives through the love and power of God,” they provide educational and vocational programs
for students who struggle with ADHD and other learning challenges. They seek “healing for the whole person, focusing on the physical,
mental, spiritual, and family aspects…” with “family involvement a major component of our program.”
“Early Intervention and care for our students is critical and the
current needs continue to grow. Evidence shows that over 15 million Americans have difficulties in many areas of learning, boys outnumbering
girls 3 to 1.”
The Bachman Learning Center offers its instruction in a “home like”
setting, with only eight students in each home. They provide each child with an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) along with an
Individual Plan of Care (IPC). Every aspect of the program is “Faith Based and founded on Christian principles,” seeking to enable
youth to “develop a relationship with God, come to an understanding of His grace and forgiveness, and build a strong base of faith.”
Their academic program is designed to help students meet their potential, motivate a love for learning, and foster a sense of self-worth
and respect, both for themselves and others.
Their child-centered campus is family focused and “faith based.”
The educational curriculum emphasizes the “basic foundations of learning (Math, Reading, English, Science, Social Studies, and Computer
Science),” also including daily physical exercise and outdoor adventure. Each student’s individualized program may include vocational
training, intensive reading instruction and training in study skills. Instruction takes place in a variety of learning environments
and is “strengthened by the Behavioral model that provides structure and accommodates individual differences.” Their teachers are
certified, and coursework is supplemented with art, music and drama programs. They also offer athletics and a wilderness program with
rope courses. Social Development is also emphasized, and Biblical Perspectives are provided within a Christian setting. Their program
operates year- round.
Their campus is on 250 scenic acres of farmland located in the East
Tennessee mountain range, just 20 miles northeast of Chattanooga, Tennessee. It has a pool, gymnasium, fishing, camping and a wilderness
program. There are also many resources available within the surrounding counties. They have classrooms on-site with four homes for
residential care of students. They also provide vocational and prevocational training in auto-mechanics, carpentry, animal husbandry,
and landscape design/nursery.
Copyright © 2000, Woodbury Reports, Inc. (This article may be reproduced without
prior approval if the copyright notice and proper publication and author attribution accompanies the copy.)
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