Academic Program Evaluation
Evaluation of the program takes place through external standardized tests, behavioral observations and a comprehensive, nationally recognized individualized testing model. All students in the program are monitored by Durham Public Schools systems. The schools provide benchmark testing in the fall, practice tests in January, and a yearly End of Grade achievement test. These give an objective measure of reading progress.
Along with standardized tests, students in the YLFT Learning Centers are monitored by teachers and tutors, given incentive rewards and tracked in their reading progress by the number of books they have completed.
Our most effective evaluation tool is the Weschler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI) and Individualized Achievement Tests (WIAT). Our staff has been trained by a psychologist to administer these highly specific tests which show the exact reading and math abilities of students. The tests are designed to measure reading comprehension, phonics recognition, decoding along with inductive and deductive visual and auditory school. These tests are administered because of their focus on individual abilities, limited cultural bias, and recognition by the educational community.
Long-term, each child will be entered into a data-base with the Darrell Green Foundation in which his/her Goals, Plans, and Achievements (GPA) will be tracked throughout his/her school years. We have already tracked students through High School and seen GPA’s maintained above the level achieved at the Learning Centers.
