Annual Report 2015-16 | Page 16

CROSS PROGRAM INTE GRATION Soft Skills Soft skills around communication, collaboration, integrity, persistence, and lifelong learning are integrated into all of our courses. As students increase their literacy and language skills, soft skills need to keep pace for students to be successful and gain meaningful employment. Numeracy 16 Arts and Culture FOUNDAT I ON A L LI T ERA C Y AND SKILL S P ROGRA MS GED Test Preparation (English and Spanish) This program supports students whose goal is to obtain an official high school credential through passing the official GED exam. Academic content areas covered are language arts (writing and reading), social studies, science, and mathematics. Students enter the GED Program with a wide range of educational backgrounds. GED classes are offered in both English and Spanish. Plazas Comunitarias Through the Plazas Comunitarias Carlos Rosario Program, students are able to earn internationally recognized elementary and middle school diplomas in Spanish thanks to a partnership with the Mexican Consulate. 2 0 1 5 - 1 6 S TATS : 31 Students earned the GED Diploma 324 Students working toward high school diploma in English and Spanish GED programs 50 Earned elementary and/ or middle school certificates Through an innovative arts integration program students build higher-order thinking and critical reasoning skills through visual and performing arts. These activities engage student prior knowledge, bridge migration experiences, give students new avenues of expression and build cultural competencies. Additionally, students celebrate their rich diversity through a variety of cultural events including student- led heritage festivals, interactive workshops, and guest speakers. Partnerships with organizations such as the Phillips Collection, the Smithsonian Programs and the Writers Center have proven success in enhancing student learning. Civic Engagement Recognized as a model program by UNESCO in 2016 Civic engagement is incorporated into the curriculum and school culture in various ways. Students who are eligible to become naturalized can prepare for the exam through citizenship classes. Throughout this election cycle the school has also served as a hub for voter information and resources with supports for new American voters. Opportunities to volunteer and give back to the community are offered through various activities, often coordinated by student government representatives, such as community clean up days, visits to the D.C. city council, volunteer days at local direct service nonprofits, and drives to collect goods and funds for those in need. 17 Recent studies show strong correlations between numeracy skills and increased wages (PIAAC, 2013). We are integrating numeracy at all levels of ESL and workplace curriculum to help students apply, interpret and communicate mathematical information and ideas into their every day and professional lives.