Students are placed in a grade level based on their academic
achievement as measured on a nationally normed reference
scale.
The assessment tools used by the Higher Ground Academy are
the
Group Mathematics Assessment and Diagnostic Evaluation
(GMADE) and Group Reading Assessment and Diagnostic
Evaluation (GRADE) scales. In using these assessments, it is the Academy’s
position that a student’s score on these assessments tools
are a measure of what a student has learned in mathematics
or language arts at the time of the assessment and by no
means represents the student’s ability or intelligence.
Annual pre and post assessments are
done to document a student’s progress. Based on the evidence
of a student’s progress they are placed in courses that are
commensurate with a student’s academic achievement level.
However, based on a student’s performance in class and
teacher observation, a student can be promoted into a
higher-level class.
As a result of using this approach to student placement,
teachers are able to teach more effectively with less
differentiation and students in turn are able to learn more
effectively |
