Individual Education Plans (IEP) and Environmental Impact Reports (EIR) have a lot in common. Both look closely at the health and history of students and land. Both consider social systems or ecosystems. Both are attempts to learn what is best for people and properties. In the Open Space Academy, every student will have an IEP to best serve their learning needs, and every place we visit will be given our own version of an EIR. That means we will closely examine our students and the open spaces we visit to determine what is best for each.
For students, we will pre and post test them for every class they take. We will closely monitor their standardized testing data and information including Common Core tests, NWEA, CAHSEE, PSAT, SAT, and AP testing. We will survey the students and their families regularly, conduct home visits when necessary, and meet frequently to make sure all students are on track to graduate from high school and succeed in college. In addition to academic preparedness and the cognitive domain, we will monitor students' well being and affective domain. Beyond that, we will strive to improve their physical health, stamina, and coordination skills. We know that we are educating a whole person - and possibly their families - in the process of becoming a productive part of changing society.
For the open spaces we visit, we will help or participate in whatever studies are being conducted by others. We will have soil and water testing kits and will be in the habit of making scientific observations where ever we go. Bioblitzes and longitudinal studies of particular preserves will become a regular part of the program. Bioremediation, the removal of invasive species, and habitat restoration will occur under the supervision of experts and the recognized authorities. We will bring GPS devices and surveying equipment to check and make maps. As with an IEP, we will make records over time to track changes. We will look for and occasional leave geocaches, and if appropriate, work with others to improve trails, buildings, and interpretive materials.
Features Facilities Format Mission Mobility Green STEM IEP=EIR OpenMindWalk Feedback
"And this, our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything."
~William Shakespeare
For students, we will pre and post test them for every class they take. We will closely monitor their standardized testing data and information including Common Core tests, NWEA, CAHSEE, PSAT, SAT, and AP testing. We will survey the students and their families regularly, conduct home visits when necessary, and meet frequently to make sure all students are on track to graduate from high school and succeed in college. In addition to academic preparedness and the cognitive domain, we will monitor students' well being and affective domain. Beyond that, we will strive to improve their physical health, stamina, and coordination skills. We know that we are educating a whole person - and possibly their families - in the process of becoming a productive part of changing society.
For the open spaces we visit, we will help or participate in whatever studies are being conducted by others. We will have soil and water testing kits and will be in the habit of making scientific observations where ever we go. Bioblitzes and longitudinal studies of particular preserves will become a regular part of the program. Bioremediation, the removal of invasive species, and habitat restoration will occur under the supervision of experts and the recognized authorities. We will bring GPS devices and surveying equipment to check and make maps. As with an IEP, we will make records over time to track changes. We will look for and occasional leave geocaches, and if appropriate, work with others to improve trails, buildings, and interpretive materials.
Features Facilities Format Mission Mobility Green STEM IEP=EIR OpenMindWalk Feedback
"And this, our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything."
~William Shakespeare