L4T SES PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Learning 4Today's Academic Excellence program is a research-based mastery learning model that combines the effective elements of technology and small group tutoring to accelerate the mastery of basic skills and motivate underachieving students. L4T uses computer technology for what it does best, assessment, reporting and presenting instruction at the student's own pace and path in a non-judgmental, non-threatening environment. The small group tutoring component, One2One Mastery™ provides the level of mastery needed for accelerated learning and deep retention. It provides transfer of skills from computer to paper and pencil, and allows a student to practice mastery of those skills while adding the components of writing, reading fluency and motivation.
The Academic Excellence program uses a computer adaptive diagnostic pre-assessment instrument to determine where the gaps and deficiencies are in a student's reading and/or math skills based on state standards. Comprehensive reports and prescriptive intervention strategies are produced immediately for use in producing learning objectives based on real needs and made available to administrators, teachers, and parents.
Following the pre-assessment, an individualized online tutorial program is designed for the student to address targeted skill deficits. Students spend about one half hour to forty five minutes working on a computer-aided instructional (CAI) program, then they are provided with a tutor specially trained in the One2One Mastery instructional model to complete the transfer of knowledge and mastery of skills gained from the CAI program. One2One Mastery™ tutoring is an objective based mastery learning model that utilizes explicit instruction and motivational support for the delivery of educational content. Tutoring is organized on a mastery learning model with specific objectives and standards of mastery for each unit. Mastery learning is most useful with disadvantaged slow learners at both elementary and middle school levels. One2One Mastery tutoring provides:
- transfer from knowledge and skills gained from the Smart Tutor individualized tutorial to pencil and paper
- instruction in writing through the use of journals
- practice in reading fluency
- remediation of skills that indicate additional needs
- motivation, active encouragement and high expectations for success
- support, practice, and preparation for high stakes testing