Continuous Progress Alternative
CONTINUOUS PROGRESS- A District-Wide Educational Program
The Continuous Progress Program at Vista Grande Elementary School is currently accepting fourth and fifth grade enrollments for the 2009/2010 school year. The program is open to all students in the San Ramon Valley Unified School District. Click here to view the Press Release for the same.
Click here to view a short video regarding the Continuous Progress Program
Philosophy
The Continuous Progress Alternative Program recognizes the vital importance of a three-way partnership in education involving the parent, student and teacher. The students are expected to maintain a high standard of achievement commensurate with their individual skill levels.
The Continuous Progress Alternative Program recognizes the vital importance of a three-way partnership in education involving the parent, student and teacher. The students are expected to maintain a high standard of achievement commensurate with their individual skill levels.
The approach is individualized in that students are challenged to work to the best of their ability as they move through the program. Ability grouping is done in language arts and mathematics. Academic instruction utilizes the traditional district curriculum in a continuous progress format. Emphasis is on the basic skills, academic tools and critical thinking skills for future learning. The program seeks to build within each student a sense of responsibility, self-discipline, confidence and pride in accomplishment in a nurturing environment. An assertive discipline code with logical consequences is maintained.
This program requires a commitment from the staff, students and their parents working together for the development of each student. Frequent communication between parent and teacher is instrumental to the support systems of the program. Parents sign a support statement prior to enrollment in the program. Progress reports on students are provided by teachers. Conferences are held with the students, teacher and parents to review the student's progress, portfolio, and report cards. Parents share responsibility by being classroom and program volunteers. An annual contribution by Program parents pays for classroom para-educators, Spanish instructor, supplies, and other essentials deemed necessary by the classroom teacher and/or the Advisory Board. The total cooperation of home and school ensures the best possible learning environment for the students.
Background The Continuous Progress Alternative Program, located at Vista Grande Elementary School, had a grass roots beginning in the spring of 1984. The Board of Education approved the program which began in September, 1984. The State of California encourages alternative programs according to:
Section 58500 of the Education Code
Alternative Schools,
Establishment and Maintenance; Definitions.
The governing board of any school district may establish and maintain one or more alternative schools within the district.
For the purpose of this article, an alternative school is defined as a school or separate class group within a school which is operated in a manner designated to:
(a) Maximize the opportunity for students to develop the positive values of self-reliance, initiative , kindness, spontaneity, resourcefulness, courage, creativity, responsibility and joy.
(b) Recognize that the best learning takes place when the student learns because of his/her desire to learn.
(c) Maintain a learning situation maximizing student self-motivation and encouraging the student in his/her own time to follow their own interests. These interests may be conceived by him/her totally and independently or may result in whole or in part from a presentation by the teacher of choices of learning projects.
(d) Maximize the opportunity for teachers, parents and students to cooperatively develop the learning process and its subject matter. This opportunity shall be a continuous, permanent process.
(e) Maximize the opportunity for the students, teachers and parents to continuously react to the changing world, including but not limited to the community in which the school is located.
Program Description
What is the goal of the program?
To encourage each student to progress to the best of his or her potential, allowing for differences in each child's current learning level.
Section 58500 of the Education Code
Alternative Schools,
Establishment and Maintenance; Definitions.
The governing board of any school district may establish and maintain one or more alternative schools within the district.
For the purpose of this article, an alternative school is defined as a school or separate class group within a school which is operated in a manner designated to:
(a) Maximize the opportunity for students to develop the positive values of self-reliance, initiative , kindness, spontaneity, resourcefulness, courage, creativity, responsibility and joy.
(b) Recognize that the best learning takes place when the student learns because of his/her desire to learn.
(c) Maintain a learning situation maximizing student self-motivation and encouraging the student in his/her own time to follow their own interests. These interests may be conceived by him/her totally and independently or may result in whole or in part from a presentation by the teacher of choices of learning projects.
(d) Maximize the opportunity for teachers, parents and students to cooperatively develop the learning process and its subject matter. This opportunity shall be a continuous, permanent process.
(e) Maximize the opportunity for the students, teachers and parents to continuously react to the changing world, including but not limited to the community in which the school is located.
Program Description
What is the goal of the program?
To encourage each student to progress to the best of his or her potential, allowing for differences in each child's current learning level.
How is this accomplished?
The program recognizes that each child learns best when he or she is ready. To allow for this, children are grouped for language arts and math according to their skill level, using materials appropriate to their needs. Throughout the day, other small groups (not determined by skill level) are used for other areas of study.
The program recognizes that each child learns best when he or she is ready. To allow for this, children are grouped for language arts and math according to their skill level, using materials appropriate to their needs. Throughout the day, other small groups (not determined by skill level) are used for other areas of study.
What is a Continuous Progress format?
The individual student is challenged to continue on to the next learning level within their own classroom when he or she is ready and is not restricted to grade level materials.
The individual student is challenged to continue on to the next learning level within their own classroom when he or she is ready and is not restricted to grade level materials.
What is the parent commitment?
The continuous progress format relies upon active parent participation in and out of the classroom. Parents sign a support agreement addressing the philosophy and needs of the program.
The continuous progress format relies upon active parent participation in and out of the classroom. Parents sign a support agreement addressing the philosophy and needs of the program.
How is funding provided?
Parents take responsibility for providing the funds for the classroom para-educators, enrichment materials, foreign language instructor and other essentials, The donation amount is determined annually and approved by the Advisory Board. While funding is strictly voluntary, the suggested parent donation is necessary for the operation and continuation of the program.
Parents take responsibility for providing the funds for the classroom para-educators, enrichment materials, foreign language instructor and other essentials, The donation amount is determined annually and approved by the Advisory Board. While funding is strictly voluntary, the suggested parent donation is necessary for the operation and continuation of the program.
Structure
- Grades K-3 have a longer school day. K is in session from 8:30 to 1:00. Grades 1 -3 are in session from 8:30-3:00.
- By fourth grade, children have received an additional seven months of instruction.
- Students are grouped by ability for language arts and math.
- Lower child to adult ratio through paid aides and parent volunteers. Kindergarten has a full-time aide. Grades 1-5 have aides for about 19 hours per week.
- Continuity of curriculum and classes. Classes stay together throughout the program. Teachers coordinate students' transition to the next grade.
- Additional aides specifically for math and reading
Content
- Spanish language instruction
- Computer instruction
- Supplementary math program (Saxon)
Strengths
- Emphasis on parent/teacher/student partnership in education.
- Parent input through Advisory Board
- Periodic student led conferences with portfolios and report cards.
- Participation as one school with Vista Grande traditional program including school library, computer lab, weekly VGTV broadcast, art, science, music, as well as grade level and school-wide activities throughout the year.
- Program is highly successful..
What is the Advisory Board?
The Advisory Board is comprised of nine members: seven elected parents, the school principal and one teacher. One teacher representative and at least one parent representative from each class attend monthly meetings of the Advisory Board.
The Advisory Board is comprised of nine members: seven elected parents, the school principal and one teacher. One teacher representative and at least one parent representative from each class attend monthly meetings of the Advisory Board.
The program is incorporated with the State of California as a non-profit public benefit corporation. The Articles of Incorporation are on file. The program operates under a set of bylaws which are available on request.
Who is eligible?
The program is open to the San Ramon Valley Unified School District. There is no screening process and acceptance is determined solely on a space available basis with priority given to siblings. If necessary, to prevent diversions, priority may be given to Vista Grande resident students.
Attendance at an Orientation Meeting prior to enrollment is mandatory for all entering students.. This ensures that the parents are making an informed judgment as to whether the program is appropriate for their child. The program is open to the San Ramon Valley Unified School District. There is no screening process and acceptance is determined solely on a space available basis with priority given to siblings. If necessary, to prevent diversions, priority may be given to Vista Grande resident students.
How do I apply for the Program?
After you have completed the entire kindergarten registration process at your resident school, you can get further information and pick up an application at Vista Grande School office. All paperwork should be returned to the Vista Grande office. Applications will be chosen by lottery according to the Kindergarten Admission Policy for the program. Applications may be submitted anytime for grades 1 through 5. Class assignments will be available one week before school begins.
