Diagnostic Materials

Various diagnostic tests determine student entry level skills and deficiencies. These tests inform the instructor of objectives previously mastered while outlining prerequisite skills for unmastered areas. These tests are scored instantly via a cardreader/scanner used with either a Macintosh or IBM computer.

Placement and Prescription

As a result of the diagnostic testing, students receive objective based prescriptions. These prescriptions place students in the Alpha II program at appropriate instructional levels. This assures students will experience immediate success. Assignments will prove to challenge the student, but not intimidate.

Instruction

Prescriptions are sequenced in small step assignments that are less threatening to students and cover specified objectives. The instructional materials listed within student prescriptions are included in each Alpha program, eliminating the need for the staff to search for their own materials. However, the prescriptions do not restrict the educator from adding his or her own materials or instructional presentations.

Management

The Alpha II Reading and Math software provides management of student progress and records. The software determines prerequisite skills, thus furnishing students with appropriate objective based prescriptions. The management software will score and record criterion reference tests, providing reports of objective mastery. The software will keep student records updated for prescriptive and tracking purposes.

Evaluation

Evaluation is an ongoing process. Students’ daily assignments are evaluated and require minimum score of 80% for mastery. Criterion reference tests are administered to students intermittently while working in their prescriptions. These CRTs cover each objective taught within the prescription and must be passed at a minimum accuracy of 75% for each objective. These tests help measure long term attainment of objectives, skills, and concepts.