The Mountain Focus Group met Monday, December 13th. They were very impressed
with Roy Shimp's efforts to  write out an excellent
WASC/CDE Focus on our Learning Schoolwide Criteria Narrative. . Corrections are noted
below in red located in parentheses in the original text.
 
Support for Student Personal and Academic Growth :
 
PAGE TWO :
Paragraph One:
The students’ scores on the previous year’s STAR tests, or CAT tests, or in some
cases, the Wide Range Achievement Test, are used to help determine placement
level or
approximate ability level with a given curriculum or other educational material. The
results of the benchmark exams will also help to determine curriculum choices
for the
coming year. Based upon this determination, curriculum is selected to meet the
students’
level of ability, reading level, challenge, interest, and strengths. In many
cases, the level
of ability students may have in one growth area may differ considerably from that in
another growth area, so considerable attention is paid to customizing curriculum
to the
student rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. ((THEREBY PROVIDING A UNIQUE
ADVANTAGE OF THE SCHOOL, WHICH IS EXTREMELY VALUABLE FOR THE STUDENT'S
SUCCESSFUL LEARNING EXPERIENCE )) High school students have a wide range of
curriculum available to meet their individual needs, ranging from a lower
reading but higher interest level, to grade level, to college preparation
levels. As additional input to help determine this, students and parents alike
are encouraged to complete a Personal Learning Style questionnaire that gives
significant clues as to a student’s individual learning style.
 
Paragraph two:
(Middle of the paragraph - the procedure has changed slightly)  "In addition, a letter is sent by the ES notifying the parent that if a second schedule appointment is missed......"
 
Paragraph three:
When students choose to attend site-based courses sponsored by Connecting
Water Charter School, the instructor of the course also communicates with the
parents
(( REMOVE – AND THE FAMILY'S ES)) regarding the student’s attendance and
performance in the course.
 
PAGE FOUR :
Last paragraph -
The self-directed and performance based strategy allows the students to learn at
their own pace. Because of this some students are able to accelerate the
curriculum they
have chosen. CWCS offered several site-based courses with which students could
supplement their educational work. Courses were offered in various towns within the
service area of CWCS including Modesto, Turlock, Gustine, Ceres, Manteca, Linden,
San Jose, Oakland, Murphys, Waterford, Delhi, Dublin, Coulterville, and several
others.
Some of the course topics included art, music, pre-algebra, writing, beginning
Spanish,
health and fitness, hands on science, math, Spanish, Tae Kwon Do, Irish Dance,
Biology
Lab, French, Drawing, Computer-Aided Illustration, and several others. Some of the
Group Educational Activities sponsored by CWCS included (( REMOVE SIX FLAGS)),
the Nutcracker Ballet, science camp, Dodge Ridge, Bear Valley, ((REMOVE
LEGOLAND)), and others. ((WE SUGGEST REMOVING THE TWO AMUSEMENT PARKS AS NOTED
ABOVE))
 
PAGE FIVE:
Second paragraph -
Generally, the students enrolled in Connecting Waters Charter School ((are –
replace with MAKE UP A)) healthy
and happy student body. Much of the learning that goes in is self-directed and
performance-based(what does performance based mean in this context?)((ADD –
DEMONSTRATING LEARNING THROUGH MASTERING OF THE SUBJECT)). The students enjoy a
greater sense of freedom and responsibility that comes with that freedom. The
parents and student establish their flexible schedule, search and research and
choose their curriculum with the help of their Education Specialist, determine
their own course, and are generally happy to have a greater sense of control
over their own lives. Attendance is generally high and discipline tends not to
be an issue. As Connecting Waters establishes itself and is becoming known, the
enrolled population is growing more ethnically diverse and promotes a culture of
inclusion and community.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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