Curriculum and Testing
Curriculum
Northwest Preparatory Academy uses the CSCOPE curriculum. At the heart of CSCOPE is a process that includes key components listed below:
•A K-12 systemic model in the four core content areas
•Common language, structure, and process for curriculum delivery
•Innovative Technology
•Aligned written, taught, and tested curriculum
•Clarified and specified TEKS/STAAR expectations assembled in a vertical alignment format
•Customizable instructional plans that allow district resources to be integrated into the system
•Lessons in both English and Spanish
Testing
Beginning in spring 2012, the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR™) has replaced the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS). The STAAR program at grades 3–8 will assess the same subjects and grades that are currently assessed on TAKS. *Testing dates can be found on the TEA website at: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/calendars/
Assessed Curriculum
Grade 3 Reading, Math
Grade 4 Reading, Math, Writing
Grade 5 Reading, Math, Science
Grade 6 Reading, Math
Grade 7 Reading, Math, Writing
Grade 8 Reading, Math, Science, Social Studies
Students in Kindergarten through Second grade are tested using the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS). The Iowa Tests offer educators a diagnostic look at how their students are progressing in key academic areas, and offer diagnostic data that can be used to create intervention groups and to drive curricular decisions.
Homework
Students
will be given homework assignments regularly.
The following are time limitations for homework assignments given daily
from the school:
| Each Student is responsible for
completing their own assignments and turning them in on time. |
Pre-Kindergarten –
Kindergarten 20
minutes
1st – 2nd 30
minutes
3rd – 4th 40
minutes
5th – 8th 60
minutes
Ways to help
your child get the most from their homework time:
- Make
homework rules together with your child.
Decide when it will be done, where it will be done, and what will
happen if it is not completed.
- Provide
a quiet place for your child to do homework, such as a desk in their room
or the kitchen table. Make sure
there is sufficient light and that distractions are limited.
- Show
an interest in your child’s homework and ask them about it each night.
- Give
your child a short break from their work, if needed.
- Encourage
your child to work independently.
Assist them, if needed.
- Give
your child positive words of encouragement, such as, “I’m proud of you”,
or “I knew you could do this all by yourself!”
Homework Folders/Assignment Books
Students in
grades Pre Kindergarten (4) -5th grades are expected to maintain a
homework folder.
Pre-Kindergarten red
Kindergarten yellow
1st blue
2nd green
3rd purple
4th orange
5th Lt. Blue
Students in
grades 6th -8th will maintain an assignment book to
record homework assignments in each content area as given by the instructor. Please feel free to contact your child’s classroom
teacher(s) if you have any questions about homework.
School Supplies
Students must arrive at school ready to work with the necessary tools. Parents/Guardians should check the child’s backpack each evening to make sure they have paper, pens, pencils, and all other school supplies. Each teacher will provide a school supply list at the beginning of the school year.
Grading
The
grading scale is as follows:
Pre-Kindergarten
and Kindergarten Academic Subject Rubric:
|
4
|
Understandings
go beyond grade level expectation
|
|
3
|
Exhibits
mastery of skill/concept
|
|
2
|
Exhibits
skill/concept with minimal guidance
|
|
1
|
Exhibits
skill/concept with direct guidance
|
|
|
Not
Assessed
|
|
4
|
Social skills go beyond grade level
expectation
|
|
3
|
Exhibits appropriate social skills
for age/developmental stage
|
|
2
|
Exhibits appropriate social skills for
age/developmental stage with minimal guidance
|
|
1
|
Exhibits appropriate social skills
for age/developmental stage with direct guidance
|
|
|
Not Assessed
|
Pre-Kindergarten
and Kindergarten Behavioral Rubric:
|
|
|
1st
- 8th Grade
|
Academic Subjects
100
- 90 = A
89 -
80 = B
79 -
75 = C
74 -
70 = D
Below
70 = F
|
Conduct
E = excellent
S
= satisfactory
N
= needs improvement
U
= unsatisfactory
|
Progress Reports
The
purpose of the progress report is to periodically keep the parent/guardian
informed of student performance.
Progress reports are issued weekly for Pre Kindergarten and every 3
weeks for grades Kindergarten – 8th.
Report Cards
|
1st Six-Weeks
Progress Report #1
Report Card #1
|
September 21, 2012
October 12, 2012
|
4th Six-Weeks
Progress Report #4
Report Card #4
|
February 1, 2013
March 1, 2013
|
|
2nd Six-Weeks
Progress Report # 2
Report Card #2
|
November 2, 2012
November 16, 2012
|
5th Six-Weeks
Progress Report #5
Report Card #5
|
March 29, 2013
April 19, 2013
|
|
3rd Six-Weeks
Progress Report #3
Report Card #3
|
December 7, 2012
January 11, 2013
|
6th Six-Weeks
Progress Report #6
Report Card #6
|
May 10, 2013
June 6, 2013
|
Conferences
Conferences
are conducted during the teacher’s conference period. Parents/guardians are encouraged to
communicate with their child’s teacher on a regular basis. Arrangements must be made with the office at
least one day in advance.
Honor Roll
Excellence
in education is a goal that every school strives to accomplish. Each grading period students enrolled in
Northwest Preparatory Academy are recognized for their academic excellence and
are placed on the Honor Roll. Northwest
Preparatory Academy uses the following Honor Roll Guidelines:
|
Award
|
Academic
Grades
|
Conduct
|
|
Gold
Silver
|
All
A’s”
All
A’s and B’s
|
E’s and S’s
E’s
and S’s
|
Cheating
Plagiarism is the use of another person’s original idea or writing
as one’s own without giving credit to the true author. Plagiarism will be considered cheating and
the student will be subject to academic disciplinary action that may include
loss of credit for the work in question.
Teachers who have reason to believe a student has engaged in cheating or
other academic dishonesty will determine the academic penalty to be assessed.
