Math Foundations I
Math Foundations I offers a structured remediation solution based on the NCTM Curricular Focal Points and is designed to expedite student progress through 3rd- to 5th-grade skills. The course is appropriate for use as remediation for students in grades 6 to 12. When used in combination, Math Foundations I and Math Foundations II (covering grades 6 to 8) effectively remediate computational skills and conceptual understanding needed to undertake high school-level math courses with confidence.

Math Foundations I empowers students to progress at their optimum pace through over 80 semester hours of interactive instruction and assessment spanning 3rd- to 5th-grade math skills. Carefully paced, guided instruction is accompanied by interactive practice that is engaging and accessible. Formative assessments help students to understand areas of weakness and improve performance, while summative assessments chart progress and skill development. Early in the course, students develop general strategies to hone their problem-solving skills. Subsequent units provide a problem-solving strand that asks students to practice applying specific math skills to a variety of real-world contexts. (back)

Math Foundations II
Based on the NCTM Curricular Focal Points, Math Foundations II is designed to expedite student progress through 6th- to 8th-grade skills. The course is appropriate for use as remediation at the high school level or as a bridge-to-high-school or as middle school curriculum. The program simultaneously builds the computational skills and the conceptual understanding needed to undertake high school-level math courses with confidence.

The course's carefully paced guided instruction is accompanied by interactive practice that is engaging and accessible. Formative assessments help students to understand areas of weakness and improve performance, while summative assessments chart progress and skill development. Early in the course, students develop general strategies to hone their problem-solving skills. Subsequent units provide a problem-solving strand that asks students to practice applying specific math skills to a variety of real-world contexts. (back)

Introductory Algebra Core
Introductory Algebra Core provides a curriculum focused on beginning algebraic concepts that prepare students for success in Algebra I. Through a "Discovery-Confirmation-Practice" based exploration of basic algebraic concepts, students are challenged to work toward a mastery of computational skills, to deepen their conceptual understanding of key ideas and solution strategies, and to extend their knowledge in a variety of problem-solving applications. Course topics include integers; the language of algebra; solving equations with addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; fractions and decimals; measurement; exponents; solving equations with roots and powers; multi-step equations; and linear equations.

Within each Introductory Algebra Core lesson, students are supplied with a scaffolded note-taking guide, called a "Study Sheet," as well as a post-study "Checkup" activity, providing them the opportunity to hone their computational skills by working through a low-stakes, 10-question problem set before starting a formal assessment. Unit-level Introductory Algebra Core assessments include a computer-scored test and a scaffolded, teacher-scored test.

To assist students for whom language presents a barrier to learning or who are not reading at grade level, Introductory Algebra Core includes audio resources in both Spanish and English. (back)

Introductory Algebra
Introductory Algebra is a comprehensive course that provides students with the groundwork for success in Algebra I. Through a "Discovery-Confirmation-Practice" based exploration of beginning algebraic concepts, students are challenged to work toward a mastery of computational skills, to deepen their conceptual understanding of key ideas and solution strategies, and to extend their knowledge in a variety of problem-solving applications. Course topics include integers, number lines, and inequalities; variables and variable expressions; solving equations with addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; fractions and decimals; measurement; exponents; solving equations with roots and powers; multi-step equations; and linear equations.

Within each Introductory Algebra lesson, students are supplied with a post-study "Checkup" activity, providing them the opportunity to hone their computational skills in a low-stakes, 10-question problem set before moving on to a formal assessment. Additionally, many Introductory Algebra lessons include interactive-tool-based exercises and/or math explorations to further connect lesson concepts to a variety of real-world contexts.

To assist students for whom language presents a barrier to learning or who are not reading at grade level, Introductory Algebra includes audio resources in both Spanish and English. (back)

Algebra I Core
Algebra I Core provides a curriculum focused on the mastery of critical skills and the understanding of key algebraic concepts, preparing students to recognize and work with these concepts. Through a "Discovery-Confirmation-Practice" based exploration of algebraic concepts, students are challenged to work toward a mastery of computational skills, to deepen their conceptual understanding of key ideas and solution strategies, and to extend their knowledge in a variety of problem-solving applications. Course topics include an Introductory Algebra review; measurement; an introduction to functions; problem solving with functions; graphing; linear equations and systems of linear equations; polynomials and factoring; and data analysis and probability.

Within each Algebra I Core lesson, students are supplied with a scaffolded note-taking guide, called a "Study Sheet," as well as a post-study "Checkup" activity, providing them the opportunity to hone their computational skills by working through a low-stakes, 10-question problem set before moving on to a formal assessment. Unit-level Algebra I Core assessments include a computer-scored test and a scaffolded, teacher-scored test.

To assist students for whom language presents a barrier to learning or who are not reading at grade level, Algebra I Core includes audio resources in both Spanish and English. (back)

Algebra I
Algebra I is a comprehensive course that provides an in-depth exploration of key algebraic concepts. Through a "Discovery-Confirmation-Practice" based exploration of algebraic concepts, students are challenged to work toward a mastery of computational skills, to deepen their conceptual understanding of key ideas and solution strategies, and to extend their knowledge in a variety of problem-solving applications. Course topics include an Introductory Algebra review; measurement; an introduction to functions; problem solving with functions; graphing; linear equations and systems of linear equations; polynomials and factoring; and data analysis and probability.

Within each Algebra I lesson, students are supplied with a post-study "Checkup" activity, providing them the opportunity to hone their computational skills in a low-stakes, 10-question problem set before moving on to a formal assessment. Additionally, many Algebra I lessons include interactive-tool-based exercises and/or math explorations to further connect lesson concepts to a variety of real-world contexts.

To assist students for whom language presents a barrier to learning or who are not reading at grade level, Algebra I includes audio resources in both Spanish and English. (back)

Earth Science Core
Earth Science Core offers a focused curriculum that explores Earth's composition, structure, processes, and history; its atmosphere, freshwater, and oceans; and its environment in space. Topics include an exploration of the major cycles that affect every aspect of life, including weather, climate, air movement, tectonics, volcanic eruptions, rocks, minerals, geologic history, Earth's environment, sustainability, and energy resources. Optional teacher-graded labs encourage students to apply the scientific method. (back)

Physical Science Core
Physical Science Core offers a focused curriculum designed around the understanding of critical physical science concepts, including the nature and structure of matter, the characteristics of energy, and the mastery of critical scientific skills. Topics include an introduction to kinematics, including gravity and two-dimensional motion; force; momentum; waves; electricity; atoms; the Periodic Table of Elements; molecular bonding; chemical reactivity; gases; and an introduction to nuclear energy. Teacher-graded labs encourage students to apply the scientific method. (back)

English Foundations II

Reading Skills and Strategies1
Reading Skills and Strategies is a course is designed to help the struggling reader develop mastery in the areas of reading comprehension, vocabulary building, study skills, and media literacy, which are the course's primary content strands. Using these strands, the course guides the student through the skills necessary to be successful in the academic world and beyond. The reading comprehension strand focuses on introducing the student to the varied purposes of reading (e.g., for entertainment, for information, to complete a task, or to analyze). In the vocabulary strand, the student learns specific strategies for understanding and remembering new vocabulary. In the study skills strand, the student learns effective study and test-taking strategies. In the media literacy strand, the student learns to recognize and evaluate persuasive techniques, purposes, design choices, and effects of media. The course encourages personal enjoyment in reading with 10 interviews featuring the book choices and reading adventures of students and members of the community. (back)

Writing Skills and Strategies1
Writing Skills and Strategies develops key language arts skills necessary for high school graduation and success on high stakes exams through a semester of interactive instruction and guided practice in composition fundamentals. The course is divided into ten mini-units of study. The first two are designed to build early success and confidence, orienting students to the writing process and to sentence and paragraph essentials through a series of low-stress, high-interest hook activities. In subsequent units, students review, practice, compose and submit one piece of writing. Four key learning strands are integrated throughout: composition practice, grammar skill building, diction and style awareness, and media and technology exploration. Guided studies emphasize the structure of essential forms of writing encountered in school, in life, and in the work place. Practice in these forms is scaffolded to accommodate learners at different skill levels. (back)

Geography and World Cultures Core1
Geography and World Cultures Core offers a tightly focused and scaffolded curriculum that enables students to explore how geographic features, human relationships, political and social structures, economics, science and technology, and the arts have developed and influenced life in countries around the world. Along the way, students are given rigorous instruction on how to read maps, charts, and graphs, and how to create them. (back)

World History Core
World History Core offers a tightly focused and scaffolded curriculum that uses multiple perspectives to trace the development of civilizations around the world from prehistory to the present. The course covers major events in world history, including the development and influence of human-geographic relationships, political and social structures, economics, science and technology, and the arts. Students investigate the major religions and belief systems throughout history and learn about the importance of trade and cultural exchange. Other topics include the development of agriculture, the spread of democracy, the rise of nation-states, the industrial era, the spread of imperialism, and the issues and conflicts of the 20th century. Students learn to use primary historical documents as evidence as they learn about past events.

World History Core is designed as the second course in the social studies sequence. Students develop confidence in their analytic writing through a scaffolded sequence of short analytic pieces and short essays, including document-based questions. Primary documents are embedded in the instruction to encourage students to make frequent connections to evidence from the past. (back)

French I Core
French I Core teaches students to greet people, describe family and friends, talk about hobbies, and communicate about other topics, such as sports, travel, and medicine. Each lesson presents vocabulary, grammar, and culture in context, followed by explanations and exercises. Vocabulary includes terms to describe school subjects, parts of the body, and people, as well as idiomatic phrases. Instruction in language structure and grammar includes the verb system, adjective agreement, formal and informal address, reflexive verbs, and past tense. Students also gain an understanding of the cultures of French-speaking countries and regions within and outside Europe, as well as insight into Francophone culture and people. (back)

French II Core
French II Core teaches students to communicate more confidently about themselves, as well as about topics beyond their own lives - both in formal and informal address. Each lesson presents vocabulary, grammar, and culture in context, followed by explanations and exercises. Vocabulary includes terms in cooking, geography, and architecture. Instruction in language structure and grammar includes present- and past-tense verb forms and uses, negation, and direct and indirect objects. Students deepen their knowledge of French-speaking regions and cultures by learning about history, literature, culture, and contemporary issues. (back)

Spanish I Core
Spanish I Core teaches students to greet people, describe family and friends, talk about hobbies, and communicate about other topics, such as home life, occupations, travel, and medicine. Each lesson presents vocabulary, grammar, and culture in context, followed by explanations and exercises. Vocabulary includes terms to describe school subjects, parts of the body, and people, as well as idiomatic phrases. Instruction in language structure and grammar includes the structures and uses of present-tense verb forms, imperatives, adjective agreement, impersonal constructions, formal and informal address, and reflexive verbs. Students explore words used in different Spanish-speaking regions and learn about the cultures of Spanish-speaking countries and regions within and outside Europe. (back)

Spanish II Core
Building on Spanish I Core concepts, Spanish II Core students learn to communicate more confidently about themselves, as well as about topics beyond their own lives - both in formal and informal situations. Each lesson presents vocabulary, grammar, and culture in context, followed by explanations and exercises. Students expand their vocabulary in topics such as cooking, ecology, geography, and architecture. Instruction in language structure and grammar includes a review of present-tense verb forms, an introduction to the past tense, the conditional mood, imperatives, impersonal constructions, and reported speech. Students deepen their knowledge of Spanish-speaking regions and cultures by learning about history, literature, culture, and contemporary issues. (back)