CURRICULUM
The Turning Point Academy (TPA) vision is to provide a high standard technology-enhanced educational alternative to conventional curriculums and government-directed education. With the outstanding research-based curriculum of The NEW College Preparatory Academy (NCPA), TPA offers students the most effective way to learn. Students are prepared to evaluate information, determine what is important and integrate that information. They learn to organize information so it is easier to absorb, remember, and recall. Students retain and recall what they have learned for a lifetime, not just for testing. TPA provides one-on-one mentoring and step-by-step academic assistance that teaches students how to earn A’s.
Students each receive an individualized program specifically tailored to their learning objectives. Student mentors guide students through the learning process. In addition to being academic guides, mentors challenge students to develop the character and discipline essential to becoming effective leaders.
How it works
Preparation for Success
When students enroll with TPA they begin by completing a diagnostic exam. This provides the mentor, school, and parent with vital information on the student’s academic strengths and weakness. If necessary, the mentor will assign leveling courses in areas indicated on the assessment.
Upon completion of the Diagnostic Exam, the student mentor prepares an Academic Plan tailored to the unique learning needs of your child. Students, who have accumulated middle or high school credit, will have the credits evaluated by the mentor and added to their Academic Plan.
Strategies for success
In the next step of the ramp up process, the student’s mentor assigns the Ultimate Read Program. The student learns speed reading and memory tips from Mr. Howard Berg, “the World’s Fastest Reader,” as cited in the Guinness World Book of Records. (see "Today's Learning Crisis" video on the homepage) Students receive powerful reading strategies that utilize the way the mind understands and reads text. This includes learning how to find hidden information in surprising places, how to gain comprehension for all types of reading material. Students practice three times a week with 16 minute speed reading exercises that help them to steadily increase their reading speed.
"In our knowledge based economy, knowing how to learn,
gives students the power they need to succeed."
- Howard Berg
Math
Students are assisted in an individual math program. TPA includes two separate math options geared to the learning needs of students. The math options are: Omega Math www.omegamath.com and the Aleks program www.aleks.com.
Study and Test
Once the student’s mentor determines that a student has ‘found his or her rhythm’ the student proceeds to the next step which is the “Study and Test” sections of the “NEW Learning Edge” program. During this time the student learns efficient study skills so that the student can:
- Adjust studying strategies over a broad range of learning needs.
- Understand the meaning and significance of what was learned rather than simply rote learning information.
- Think more productively so they are more efficient and actually work less studying.
- Assimilate a significant amount of textual material in a minimum of time.
- Quickly target the most important information needing to be learned.
- Apply multiple note-taking techniques.
- Learn the most efficient manner to take in-class notes while reading text.
- Manage study time to become more effective and efficient.
- Learn improved Test-Taking Strategies
The World Book Encyclopedia instead of text books
TPA uses the World Book Encyclopedia online (store.worldbook.com) instead of textbooks. The curriculum is designed to allow students to use the accelerated methods they have been taught with the exceptional technology of The World Book Encyclopedia. Access to information is reduced by 42%, saving the student valuable time. The World Book comes with both auditory and visual picture enhancements that improves student understanding of the material. Links are provided in each article so that students may easily research in greater depth the subjects of their choice. There is a built-in dictionary function which allows students the opportunity to double-click words that are unfamiliar and receive the definition instantly. This function improves students’ vocabulary and word usage in a very ‘real learning’ environment. But most importantly, the World Book Encyclopedia is updated each year, so that there are no out-of-date textbooks for TPA students!
Writing
Interestingly enough only 10% of High School graduates can write a reasonably understandable paragraph. Writing is a critical component to success. TPA teaches students:
- To recognize and use the different types and categories of writing
- To use templates to organize writing.
- To expand the length and depth of writing in a systematic manner.
- To use computers to increase the speed and quality of their writing.
- To develop intellectual and emotional rapport with their reader/listener.
- To develop the personal/emotional component of writing to increase creativity and overcome writer’s block.
- To stay focused and remain creative over long projects.
- To polish a finished work using analytical and structural techniques
Important to Maintain Parent Relationships
The research shows that the more parents are informed, the better students do in school, (Appelbaum, 2009). The educational professionals at TPA are personally vested in the success of each student. TPA communicates regularly with parents by phone, email, and webinars. TPA informs and discusses any concerns immediately with parents. In addition, parents receive student progress reports.
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