Winston Preparatory School Publishes Research on the Winston Support Questionnaire (WSQ) as a Student-Centered Tool for Understanding Support

The article, titled “What Support Truly Means to Students With Learning Disabilities: Centering Student Voices in Developing the Winston Support Questionnaire,” introduces the Winston Support Questionnaire (WSQ), designed to assess the extent to which students with learning disabilities perceive support from their teachers and families. In their research, the team proved that the WSQ is a reliable and valid tool for studying how supportive relationships in school and at home contribute to outcomes for students with learning disabilities. 

The WSQ was developed based on input from students with learning disabilities, using their authentic voices rather than relying on adult or neurotypical perspectives. This was a key component of the study as it allowed students to directly identify what their needs are in order to feel supported by teachers and their families. 

In phase one, researchers found that students defined meaningful support not as having tasks completed for them, but as a collaborative, relational process. Specifically, students most valued teachers who fostered their independence through guided problem-solving and open communication, and families who provided steadfast encouragement, advocacy, and mutual understanding. 

In phase two, the WSQ was developed and validated. Statistical analysis confirmed that the questionnaire reliably measures two key areas: Teacher Support and Family Support. 

“The publication of our paper is a direct realization of our mission, translating our core philosophy into a validated, actionable tool,” shared Amber DeBono, PhD,  Director of Research and lead author. 

Debono also shared that this research topic is connected to the team’s Lives Over Time Study, a broader initiative that surveys Winston Prep alumni and identifies factors that predict long-term life success, and seeks to influence the wider educational landscape outside of Winston Prep.

For more information, contact Amber Debono, Ph.D., Director of Research, at (917) 336-4074 or adebono@winstonprep.edu.

Founded in 1981, Winston Preparatory School is a national school network that offers individualized programming for students with learning disabilities such as dyslexia, executive functioning challenges (ADHD), and nonverbal learning disorder (NVLD). The school’s mission is to facilitate the independence and meaningful participation of students with specific learning disorders through a Continuous Feedback System that develops skill acquisition and the Qualities of a Sustainable and Independent Learner. It also seeks to influence the field of education with research and implementation models that achieve these ends in this way. To learn more, visit www.winstonprep.edu.