CONTINUOUS PROGRESS / MASTERY LEARNING MODEL

The continuous progress / mastery learning model at CSA provides a process that allows students to move through the curriculum at their own pace, with the expectation for mastery of the essential curriculum designated for each learning unit before moving on to the next unit.   The continuous progress schedule is based on a 3 term year at CSA.    With the exception of student transition to the Navigator Unit from the Advanced Kindergarten classroom, and student transition to the middle school unit, the opportunity for students to accelerate to the next learning unit occurs in December, March, and in June.  Learning Units at CSA are non-graded and multi-age in their organizational design, and reflect a differentiated instructional model to meet the needs of students as individuals in each classroom and unit.   

Kindergarten Unit

Kindergarten

• Students in this class turn five years old before December 1 of the year they enroll.
• Students move to the Navigator Unit after one full year in Kindergarten.
• Students may move to Navigator at the end of a term when they achieve all Kindergarten curriculum benchmarks.  

Advanced Kindergarten

• Students in this class turn five yearsold before December 1 of the year they enroll.
• Students may enroll in the Advanced Kindergarten Class in September if they meet the designated entry criteria in reading and mathematics; assessments are administered by CSA staff in August of each year.
• Students in this class may move to the Navigator Unit after one full year in Advanced Kindergarten.    

Navigator Unit

• Navigator covers – at a minimum – curriculum equivalent to 1^st and 2^nd grade as described in the Michigan Curriculum Framework.
• Students may enroll in Navigator if they have spent one full year in Kindergarten at CSA, or at another school, or if they demonstrate mastery of all kindergarten curriculum benchmarks.
• Students will spend the equivalent of two full years in Navigator.
• Students may leave Navigator and move to the Voyager unit early when they achieve a beginning 3^rd grade level or above in reading and mathematics, and have completed all Navigator curriculum benchmarks. 
• Students who complete two years in the Navigator unit and test below 2.5 in mathematics or reading will be given a comprehensive evaluation to determine if they are in need of an individual educational plan.  The comprehensive evaluation will result in a formal referral for special education, or a TST Individual Plan, and a recommendation regarding entry into the Voyager Unit.    

Voyager Unit

• The Voyager Unit covers – at a minimum – curriculum equivalent to 3^rd and 4th grade as described in the Michigan Curriculum Framework.    
• Students may enroll in the Voyager Unit if they have spent two full years in the Navigator Unit at CSA, or have completed the equivalent of three years in an elementary school, or another school and CSA.
• Students will spend 2 full years in the Voyager Unit.
• Students may leave the Voyager Unit and move to the Explorer Unit early when they achieve a beginning 5^th grade level or above in reading and mathematics, and have completed all Voyager Unit curriculum benchmarks. 
• Students who complete two  years in the Voyager Unit and test below 4th grade in reading or mathematics will be given a comprehensive evaluation to determine if they are in need of an individual plan.  The comprehensive evaluation will result in a formal referral for special education, or a TST Individual Plan, and a recommendation regarding entry into the Explorer Unit. 

Explorer Unit

• The Explorer Unit covers – at a minimum – curriculum equivalent to 5^th grade as described in the Michigan Curriculum Framework.
• Students may enroll in the Explorer Unit if they have spent two full years in the Voyager Unit at CSA, or have completed the equivalent of five years in an elementary school, or another school and CSA.
• Students will spend 1 full year in the Explorer Unit.
• The opportunity for CSA students to move to the middle school unit occurs in September of each year.  Prior to entry into the middle school, students must achieve a 6^th grade level or above in reading and mathematics, and have completed all Explorer Unit curriculum benchmarks.  Students who complete one full year in the Explorer Unit and test below a 6^th grade level in reading or mathematics will be given a comprehensive evaluation to determine if they are in need of an individual plan.  The comprehensive evaluation will result in a formal referral for special education, or a TST Individual Plan, and a recommendation regarding entry into the Middle School Unit. 

CSA Middle School 

• The CSA Middle School covers – at a minimum – curriculum equivalent to 6^th, 7^th, & 8^th grade as described in the Michigan Curriculum Framework.   

• Students may enroll in the CSA Middle School each September if they have spent one full years in the Explorer Unit at CSA, or have completed the equivalent of six years in elementary school at another school, or another school and CSA. 
• Students will spend three full years in the CSA Middle School.
• Students may graduate early from the CSA Middle School when they achieve a beginning 9^th grade level or above in reading and mathematics, and have earned all CSA Middle School credits.
• Students may graduate from the CSA Middle School with a Certificate of Excellence & Quality through the completion of all middle school curriculum benchmarks, achievement of a beginning 9^th grade level or above in reading and mathematics, and having earned the designated number of required credits.
• Students may graduate from the CSA Middle School with a Certificate of Competence by completing all exit criteria, achievement of a beginning 8^th grade level in reading and mathematics, and earned the designated number of required credits.