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| The Importance of Literacy |
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Reading - the most important skill that the learner requires for success
in school is reading at or above grade level.
The ALA reading program consists of two web-based programs: Autoskill Academy of Reading and TeenBiz 3000. Each of these programs focuses on a different aspect of the acquisition of reading skills; each delivers rapid, permanent gains to help at-risk students progress in their education.
Prescriptive Education Plans
A Prescriptive Education Plan (PEP) is developed based on the entry information that each learner will bring to the Accelerated Learning Academy from previous placement in their home school. These documents will include such items as current test results, transcripts, and Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). Upon arrival, each student will participate in online assessment to determine skill levels; these levels will determine the student's starting point for instruction in reading and mathematics.
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| AutoSkill Academy of READING |
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AutoSkill Academy of READING® is an online reading product based on extensive research that has been proven effective in thousands of elementary, middle and high schools throughout the United States. The program delivers a powerful solution that helps at-risk students achieve rapid, permanent gains in reading.
Students develop fluency in foundation reading skills through focused training in phonemic awareness, sound symbol association, phonics and decoding, and comprehension - five core areas identified by the National Reading Panel. The program measures processing speed, accuracy and pace to ensure the automaticity of reading sub-skills. Short, intensive training sessions enable rapid skills development.
Program features:
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A series of tasks is automatically assigned based on each student’s reading abilities relative to their grade
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Students progress at their own pace, mastering skills to achieve fluency
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Real-time progress monitoring helps teachers with formative instruction by providing data on student progress
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Based on interaction between students and the program, training is dynamically modified to meet individual needs
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Students can accelerate through skills where proficiency is demonstrated and review concepts when extra help is required
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TeenBiz3000TM is proven to accelerate reading comprehension, writing proficiency, and vocabulary development. It delivers differentiated reading and writing assignments based on each student's actual Lexile level.
The program utilizes a five-step process designed to increase literacy achievement among teenage students.
- Set a schema - Students read and reply to a daily email, which sets the stage for what they are about to read. Students start reading and writing in an informal environment that encourages them to make personal connections.
- Read for information - The email directs students to an appropriately leveled, nonfiction article that engages and involves students by addressing real-world topics.
- Demonstrate mastery - Students answer questions about the article that monitor comprehension, vocabulary mastery and higher-order thinking skills.
- Construct meaning - Students build critical thinking skills by writing responses to open-ended questions.
- Form an opinion - Students also participate in a poll about the article so they can demonstrate opinions.
Assignments, activities and assessments are all aligned with state standards and are scientifically proven to accelerate gains in reading levels, vocabulary acquisition, writing ability and high-stakes test scores. TeenBiz3000TM is founded on the principles of the National Reading Panel and National Writing Commission.
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| Diagnostic Online Reading Assessment |
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In order to be sure that all students are moving forward at a reasonable pace
in the skills that are most important to success in school — reading and mathematics —
regular assessment in these areas will be scheduled throughout the school year
The Diagnostic Online Reading Assessment (DORA) will be used for this purpose for reading. This valid and reliable online assessment tool allow for multiple administrations; it provides information essential to the Individualized Learning Plan (ILP); in cases where learners are not showing progress, re-evaluation and adjustment of the ILP will be required.
The DORA was developed by educators and teacher educators at the University of California, Berkley, and uses research-based best practices for reading assessment; employs computer-adaptive techniques to individualize testing for each individual, and indicates the relationship between student performance and state standards. Accurate student data is always available; full reports compare students’ performance with state-specific reading and language arts standards.
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