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Academics
With the goal of ensuring that every student graduates from Perspectives prepared to succeed in college and in life, Perspectives works hard to accelerate student achievement growth. We do so by providing differentiated instruction and a rigorous college prep education in every classroom, and by teaching our 26 principles of A Disciplined Life®.
Perspectives puts its students on a path to success. In 2011, 93% of our graduates enrolled in college, nearly 90% of whom are the first in their families on tract to earn a college degree.
Our Curriculum
At Perspectives Charter Schools, all core subject area lessons in our curriculum meet the Illinois Learning Standards and ACT College Readiness Standards. The Illinois Learning Standards define what all students in every Illinois Public School should know and be able to do in seven core areas as a result of their elementary and secondary education. College Readiness Standards define the core knowledge and skills expected of students entering college-level courses.
Assessments and Evaluations
At Perspectives Charter Schools, assessments play a key role in gauging students' strengths and weaknesses. Assessments can also reveal teacher or program effectiveness or ineffectiveness. Perspectives utilizes several formal assessment mechanisms for assessing student learning and program effectiveness:
- All state standardized mandated tests ( e.g., ISAT for middle school, PSAE for high school)
- Nationally recognized norm-referenced tests (e.g., NWEA's Measure of Academic Progress--MAP)
- Any local district assessments required of other public schools in the chartering district (e.g., Explore & Plan)
- Specialized assessments developed by Perspectives Charter Schools for all areas of the academic core (e.g., mastery quizzes/assessments)
- Day-to-day assessments related to specific content or skills (e.g., pre-assessments, quizzes, unit tests)
- Qualitative observations of the process of learning (e.g., learning walks, CEO walks, instructional coaches observational summary logs, principals' qualitative reflection log)
- Passages - Unique to Perspectives Charter Schools, Passages is a graduation requirement for every junior high and high school student. Passages is a long-term project that emphasizes student research and presentation skills. Student projects are judged on criteria and standards clearly communicated at the beginning of the assignment.
