Annual Report 2005-06 | Page 7

The schools’ comprehensive assessment program captures all aspects of student achievement. Assessment includes norm-referenced and criterion-referenced testing, authentic and alternative assessment through portfolio assessment, as well as student goal setting and follow-up surveys. Determination of student promotion or retention is based on satisfactory performance on the aforementioned assessments as well as student participation, attendance, and homework completion. Our extensive assessment program ensures that students will grow in their ability to use critical thinking, to act independently, and to become leaders in their communities. Instructional Approach: Teachers thoroughly plan their instruction employing research-based approaches such as cooperative and whole language learning, student goal setting, and computer assisted instruction. Teachers develop a course syllabus by considering students’ goals, needs, demographic characteristics (such as language and level of education), as well as results from norm-referenced assessment administered at the beginning of the course. Teachers utilize this critical information to prioritize curricular objectives so that each course is tailored to meet students’ needs directly. Based on the course syllabus, teachers develop lessons that scaffold upon students’ prior knowledge, creating a learning environment where all students can learn to their full potential and improve their self-motivation and confidence. Students receive on going feedback through Students discuss and collaborate on their portfolio assessment, mid-semester and final assignment. conferences, and informal class assessments. Ninety-nine percent (99%) of Carlos Rosario Charter School students are LEP/NEP, therefore no special provisions are needed. 3. Brief Description of key mission-related programs: The School fulfills its mission through its literacy, ESL, GED Preparation, Citizenship, Computer Application and S