5
Content is also aligned to state and Common Core State Standards (CCSS) so that assessment data can be analyzed to ensure positive progress. Teachers and administrators can also increase readiness and reduce anxiety around CCSS by assessing students early in the standards. Early assessment can show teachers where students have already mastered or have gained proficiency in the standards, allowing teachers to focus on those standards on which students need more work.
Castle Learning has comprehensive student data analysis and lesson creation tools to bridge the gap between Common Formative Assessments (CFA) and differentiated student assignments. For example, teachers can look at the data for their students from the CFAs ie. ELA or Math and create customized assignments and activities in Castle Learning to address the needs of each individual student. Custom lessons can also be duplicated and shared amongst teachers school-wide and District-wide.
A Castle Learning Regents Test Prep feature has also been provided as an avenue for extra review. A course in Castle Learning has been created for each High School student called “Regents Test Prep.” The Regents Test Prep course is available for all students in grades 9-12 and some grade 8 students enrolled in a Science Regents course. This resource is available for students to use today, simply by signing in to their Castle Learning account.
In order to provide an extra review mechanism in preparation for the New York State Regents exams in Science and Social Studies, the student Regents Test Prep course has been preloaded with practice Regents
Exams in the following content areas:
Global History
U.S. History
Chemistry
Earth Science
Living Environment
Physics
It is intended as a supplementary, non-credit or grade bearing resource for students that cannot be used as a punitive measure. While students will have access to all review materials listed above, the intent is for them to access materials for Regents courses they are currently taking. Moreover, teachers with active Castle Learning accounts with their students enrolled will be able to view their student’s results from the practice exams. These practice exams can also be further customized to meet the individual needs of students.
Castle Learning has been selected as the District Administration’s Top 100 Products of 2013.
Mr. Robert Alt is a math teacher at South Park High School #206 and he is a utilizing Castle Learning Online daily in the classroom which he calls the
"Castle Learning Room." He teaches Common Core Algebra grade 9 and Seminar Algebra multiple grades. Castle Learning helps him facilitate learning for multiple grade levels at once by utilizing its enhanced assignment features.
He is finding great success using Castle Learning’s Common Core Exercises as a reinforcement for his students. In order to prepare them for the Integrated Algebra exam, Mr. Alt uses data driven instruction methodologies to differentiate lessons and activities in Castle utilizing tools such as JMAP in print, Castle formative assessments on netbook computers, Activinspire flipcharts, and wirelessly linked nSpire calculators.
Supports Classroom Instruction
Self-Generated Student Practice
Response to Intervention (RtI)
Supports Data Driven Instruction
Integratable Differentiated Instruction
Key System Features
5