What is the purpose of the Catalyst Program?
This program is designed to keep our top readers moving forward in their progress and
instill a love of learning through reading.
Where is the program taking place?
The Catalyst program is in place all the large elementary schools.
What takes place in the Catalyst program that is different from a regular reading class?
The Catalyst teacher will pre-test the students with the end of the theme assessment to
determine the skills that the students have in place for the up coming unit. This data helps
the teacher determine the concepts that the students have already mastered. The teacher
also knows which skills have not been mastered and can target instruction to those who
need assistance in those areas. This allows the class to progress through the material at a
quicker pace. The time gained is spent in a variety of activities and lessons that are
aligned to standards and the curriculum that add both depth and complexity. These
lessons are designed with higher level thinking and problem solving in mind.
Connections across the subject areas are designed into the curriculum so that the students
are seeing the big picture of how what they are learning fits into the world.
How are the students selected for placement in the Catalyst reading program?
At the primary level the children are chosen based on the yearly average reading scores
and the spring IRI scores. The classes are filled with the top students based off the data.
This usually means that the students will have an average score in reading of 96% or
better. The class sizes are generally held at twenty-five.
At the intermediate and junior high level (advanced courses) the data used to place
students consists of the yearly average grade, Star reading level, ISAT reading and
language arts scores, Direct Writing Assessment, attendance, and teacher
recommendation.
All the student’s scores are ranked. The students with the highest overall scores are then
offered placement in the class.
If a grade level doesn’t have enough classes to develop a full fledged Catalyst program
(three or more classrooms) enrichment services will be provided during focus group time.
This is generally thirty to forty-five minute daily block of time.
These groups are more flexible in the placement of students. Pretests from the reading
theme will be used to determine who is placed into these groups at the beginning of a
new theme. These are based once again off of the mastery of skills.
Is there a possibility that my student can be placed into the Catalyst program in the middle of the year?
If there is an opening in the Catalyst class a team consisting of the principal, GT
coordinator and the reading coach, if applicable, will review the original placement
data. The next child on the list will be considered based on current data. The child’s
classroom teacher will be consulted to determine if this is a good placement. If in fact,
this is in the best interest of the child the parents will be contacted to determine the final
outcome.
What happens if the Catalyst program is not a good placement for my child?
Communication is the key element. If a teacher or parent is picking up negative feedback
from the child a conversation needs to take place to find the root of the problem. Then
appropriate actions need to take to place to correct the issue. If in fact, the problem is
deep rooted and can not be fixed through an intervention a conference will be held. The
parents, student, Catalyst teacher, home room teacher, GT coordinator, and principal will
determine if removal from the program is the best course of action.
Are there any plans for expanding the program into other subject areas?
Currently there is work taking place in the area of math. Some elementary buildings in
the district are starting math focus groups similar to the reading groups. The district will
expand these services as needed.
