Q: What is a comprehensive assessment?
A: A comprehensive assessment is a tool we use to discover which math topics a student has mastered, and which topics they need extra support with.
Q: What things do you learn about a student when they take a comprehensive assessment?
A: The assessment helps us identify the topics that challenge a student and WHY it is a challenge. Do they understand the steps, are they making careless mistakes, or have they not learned it at all yet? The assessment also gives us an opportunity to glimpse the students' thought process as they approach different problems.
Q: What is a customized learning plan?
A: Once the assessment has been completed, we use the data to create a learning plan based on the topics each student needs more practice on, so each student's learning plan looks a little different. The learning plan is our guide to assigning and printing topics for students to work on, when they come in for their sessions. Our Mathnasium curriculum is designed to meet each student at their current ability and then extend their knowledge.
Q: How do you gauge progress?
A: Our curriculum has a built-in system of quizzes (mastery checks) and progress checks, which are similar to the original assessment. Communication with families regarding progress is frequent, and we welcome calls and visits from parents looking to check in and see how their child is doing!