This month, COMMUNITY EDUCATION MATTERS features MACAE member John Clark and his company, Alpha II, an individualized learning system for classrooms that uses diagnostics to place students at appropriate learning levels to master skills.

Born out of a consulting firm more than 40 years ago, Alpha II provides individualized lesson plans for students using material from publishers. The use of mastery tests helps make sure students are not only at the appropriate level, but understand the material. Students will periodically take criterion reference tests to make sure they are mastering skills needed for daily work, Clark said. The program has found that students are not intimidated once in the lesson plan, as compared to a traditional classroom.

 “More times than not they will taste success immediately,” Clark said, adding that if the students are having difficulty, there is room to adjust them to a better-suited level. “The teacher will know exactly where they need help and what with.”

As students work through the lesson plan and take mastery tests, the system can automatically advance them up to the next level when ready. The system also shows where students are placed in the program as far as skill level and can also show gains, an important feature for students to see, Clark said.

In an exciting development, Alpha II will soon be coming out with a new math program.

 “Content will be aligned with the K-8 (Grade Level Content Expectations) in math, algebra 1 and 2, and should be finishing up by the end of the school year and be good to go next fall,” Clark said. “A student may be behind in grade level, but will start working at GLCEs in the appropriate level to get caught up and see that gain.”

Alpha II has recently been heavily involved with Jackson Public Schools, working with at least 500 junior-high level at-risk kids. The learning system is helping students become more proficient in skills such as reading, Clark said.

For a list of schools that use this program throughout the state, please see the program reference page at http://www.alpha2-learning.com/references.htm.