Continuous Feedback System

List of 7 items.

• Understanding

  The design and implementation of each student’s educational program begins with an understanding of their learning profile in the context of a neuropsychological model of learning disorders, such as dyslexia, NVLD, and ADHD. This model is a result of neuropsychological and educational research that describes the learning process as an interactive one that involves three-part processing; language processing, nonverbal processing and executive function. While it is merely a starting point in our ongoing assessment of students’ strengths and weaknesses, it is an important diagnostic characterization that allows us to begin to focus upon and investigate primary areas of learning difficulties.

• Assessment

  Assessment at Winston Prep is meant to be a way to understand a child’s strengths and challenges so that we can most effectively help them learn through individualized curricular design. Assessment is not a ranking mechanism, an end-point, or used for creating labels and limits. It is constant, drives understanding, is individualized and highly focused. Assessment allows educators to measure skills, track progress, refine goals, give feedback, and realize potential and improve ability to learn.

• Response

  The student is continually responding to the individually designed educational program. Responses come in many forms. A student’s response can be as informal as a contribution to a class discussion or conversation, how one navigates a challenging situation, or follows through with a plan. More formally, a response can be performance on an assignment or how one demonstrates the application of targeted skills. WPS learning specialists recognize that with everything we say or do the student then responds. The student works to become more aware of their own ongoing experiences and responses. This response leads us into further assessment which provides information for both the student and instructor, allowing a refined understanding, guiding individualized programming in an ongoing way.

• Self-Assessment

  The student is empowered by learning how to continually assess their own experiences and responses, reflecting to develop an awareness and understanding of oneself. The student’s skill level in applying this process is measured and assessed through the CFS process as well, allowing instructors and the student to build an awareness of which facets require further development and how to approach the facilitation of such skills, as self-assessment and self-understanding are skills just as much as reading, writing, and math. 

• Self-Understanding

  This multidimensional reflective process is explicitly discussed, modeled, and practiced as the instructor helps the student develop a meaningful understanding of their specific learning profile and how that relates to the process as a whole. 

• Decisions, Actions, and Creations

  Through modeling, guidance, and support, the student applies this reflection and understanding to their future decisions, actions and creations. This support is systematically minimized as the student becomes increasingly adept in the application of the CFS, emerging into a sustainable and independent learner. 

• Program

  Educational programs at WPS center on facilitating the independence of students with learning difficulties through assessment-driven individualized education. The typical WPSCT student has 50 minutes of daily instruction in Language Skills (decoding and/or written language instruction), Literature, History, Math, Science, Physical Education and an individualized Focus session. The Physical Education period alternates 2 or 3 days weekly with one of our enrichment courses which may include arts, music, or civics. Through our 'High School Partnership Program' with Norwalk Community College, students who qualify to take college-level classes at NCC are exempt from a corresponding class at WPSCT. They use that time during the school day to work on their NCC course assignments. In addition to the daily schedule, students may choose to participate in an array of after-school enrichment activities including various athletics,  Community Service, Garden Club and study hall, etc.