Self Study Report

with this same style high resolution flat touch screen to enhance visibility with sh arpness that holds its clarity even with all ceiling lights turned on. For 7 th and 8 th Grade math, the schools has maintained the Glencoe series for Pre- Algebra (Math Accelerated) and Algebra (Algebra I). There are supplemental materials that correlate with the Glencoe curriculum, the “All Things Pre -Algebra and All Things Algebra” series. The math department has been flexible in its course offerings in recent years, by offering a full section of high school-level geometry for a group of highly competent 8 th graders just a couple of years ago. The teachers are open to offer higher- level courses whenever necessary. For assessments, both 7 th and 8 th graders will take the ERB exams, since these tests are closely associated with the ISEE tests our 8 th graders will take to complete their application process to area 9 th grade programs. While the school does not incorporate a “level system” or an “honors system” when it comes to course design and student scheduling, there is typically an attempt to group kids largely according to competency level so that the instruction can best address and accommodate student advancement in math. Curricular Effectiveness and Assessment Levine employs a number of strategies to assess the effectiveness of its math program. Among the program evaluation strategies used recently are: ◼ Curricular Calibration - Levine made arrangements with area independent schools in recent years - including S t. Mark’s and Greenhill - to walk through our entire math curriculum, with our math teachers meeting with each of their math department teachers, in order to make sure we are aligning our curriculum in such a way that we are preparing our students to enter into these schools, should they be accepted into 9 th grade, ready to move forward in their Upper School program. ◼ Standardized Testing Analysis - our academic leadership team, in conjunction with our learning support staff, conduct a close study twice a year to understand trends, growth levels, and strengths and weaknesses in our math learning through analyzing MAP scores and ERB scores. ◼ Adoption of MAP Accelerator - our teachers have adopted the MAP Accelerator program, which is designed as a personalized computer teaching method that will provide math problems and instructional features on an individualized bases using data from that student’s MAP math scores. ◼ Annual Interviews with 9 th and 10 th Grade Alums: Each June, we pull into our school our 9 th and 10 th Grade alums to ask them about their high school experiences and to learn about their sense of readiness and preparation — we want to learn the areas in which they felt confident, academically, and the areas they felt they could have used stronger preparation. The conclusion we have found in the last three years is that Levine is on par with the most rigorous programs in the city, and we are preparing our students well to have success at the high school level. We are also able to pinpoint areas for improvement,

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