Targeted Direct Instruction At The Charter School Of San Diego

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The Alternative Learning Center is located across the parking from the main building. The bells do not ring at the ALC, nor do we get the announcements or other PA broadcasts. The student population is small compared to the main building, but this is by design. There are many reasons why our student population needs additional one-on-one time with their teacher. Many of our students had, for whatever reason, a rough beginning to their high school career. As a result, these students are short on credits their senior year. Other members of our student population suffer from some sort of chronic illness, and these students need the flexibility provided by the ALC. The last major segment of our population needs a quiet and stress free learning …show more content…

It involves giving the student just enough information to help that student with a problem she or he is having at that moment. Direct instruction in general is not a strategy that is used in the blended classroom, such as the ALC, where students work primarily on computers with an instructor for supervision and help. Since every student in the classroom is working on a different lesson, it is impossible to present a lesson as one would do in a traditional classroom. The alternative method of targeted direct instruction is the least disruptive way to help a student while maintaining a quiet learning environment.

I do believe that this targeted approach does work, and this is demonstrated in the following two charts. Most of the targeted direct instruction I do is in math.

Monitoring student progress is vital to success in the ALC. I use the Classroom Connector and the A+ dashboard to continually monitor student progress. If a student is falling behind, I discuss options with that student in regards to getting back on track. Often this leads to at least a temporary expanding of time at the ALC. If a student has an IEP, this can also mean a modification of the curriculum in accordance with the student's …show more content…

Student transcripts and graduation requirements must be continually monitored and any gaps must be reported to the student and the counselor immediately. Part of this strategy is the timely grading of student work. At the Charter School of San Diego, there was a mandatory turnaround time of three business days for the grading of all student work. Any issues, especially with writing assignments, must be communicated to the student as soon as possible. The lessons in A+ must also be monitored as students revise and complete