Continuous Progress

Uses a nontraditional organizational structure:
  • Teams of teachers work with the same group of students for a two or three year period of time.
  • Multi-age families allow children to progress successfully at their own rate of development.
  • Flexible grouping methods are used to optimize learning.
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Provides effective strategies for the implementation of curriculum, instruction, and assessment to promote attainment of state and local standards and benchmarks:
  • Standards and benchmarks guide instruction and assessment.
  • Subject-focused lessons are taught to meet specific academic needs.
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  • Integrated thematic units allow for high-interest, in-depth opportunities to apply knowledge.
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  • Continuous assessment informs future instruction. A variety of measures are used to assess student progress, such as:
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    • Student portfolios
    • Teacher observation and anecdotal records
    • Performance of authentic activities
    • Paper and pencil tests
    • Standardized testing
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Benefits of Continuous Progress

  • Clearly identifies what students should know and be able to do as a result of instruction.
  • Enables teachers to build a long-term relationship with each child, during which time growth can be monitored and shared with parents in greater depth.
  • Fosters self-esteem, leadership qualities, sensitivity to others, and reduces stress in children.
  • Strengthens student’s positive attitude about school.
  • Removes yearly time restraints, allowing students to work at a developmentally appropriate pace toward established benchmarks.
  • Matches challenging activities to the child’s needs, interests, and current learning levels.
  • Uses cooperative learning strategies to promote higher achievement, to encourage shared learning experiences and responsibilities, and to provide a balance between individual and group work.
  • Recognizes that schools and families are mutually reinforcing partners in the education of children.
  • Creates a caring atmosphere that allows established partnerships to continue over time.

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