Why RPA

Imagine a school where students receive credit based upon a demonstration of knowledge and skills rather than the amount of time spent in class. Imagine a learning environment where students and teachers collaborate to design instruction that is based upon standards and assessed based upon proficiency. Imagine a place where learning is not constrained by classrooms and schedules but is fostered all day, every day throughout the community.  Imagine education not as a place but as a lifestyle.

RPA is designed to serve a target population of sixth through twelfth grade students who desire a challenging college preparatory curriculum, who desire a more interest-based or self-designed course of study, who seek an accelerated course of study, or who want a flexible learning schedule while still be held to rigorous academic standards. This group of students will work with the RPA to create a school community focused on instruction aligned to standards and graded based on demonstration of student understanding of each standard. Proficiencies in all academic areas will be based on the Oregon standards and other appropriate standards-based criteria such as College Board Standards for College Success and the Proficiency-based Admission Standards System (PASS). Students will work with a teacher in each curricular area to design their learning using the appropriate standards as determined by the teacher and the desired outcome for the student. The student will complete each project or learning activity and submit it for evaluation. The student may choose to complete an online course, complete independent projects that demonstrate proficiency toward the standards, take a comprehensive evaluation, construct a portfolio of experiences, complete interest-based internships, or other methods by which they can demonstrate proficiency toward the pre-determined standards to earn course credit.

The RPA building is a state-of-the-art technology center allowing students to access information, conduct meaningful research, participate in video conferencing, and design professional presentations to demonstrate their learning. RPA has incorporated an art studio into its facilities to allow inspiring artists to explore skills with professionals in the art community. To accommodate many different learning styles, timelines, and instructional delivery methods the building is open to students and parents during the traditional school day as well as evenings and weekends.

Goals

• Provide innovative instructional approaches while meeting all Oregon State standards
• All students meet or exceed all Oregon State Benchmarks on the Oregon State Assessment
• Allow parents the opportunity to be involved in the educational decisions of their students
• All students graduate prepared to attend college

RPA students may earn credits through four different learning pathways. While the pathways are all different and require unique skills to be successful, each is standards based and requires the successful demonstration of learning through various projects, assignments, and assessments. Students may choose to take all courses from one pathway or mix their learning options through the creation of a schedule requiring courses from multiple pathways. Teachers will work with students and parents during the enrollment process to create a personalized education plan utilizing the best educational options for each student.

Imagine a school where students receive credit based upon a demonstration of knowledge and skills rather than the amount of time spent in class. Imagine a learning environment where students and teachers collaborate to design instruction that is based upon standards and assessed based upon proficiency. Imagine a place where learning is not constrained by classrooms and schedules but is fostered all day, every day throughout the community.  Imagine education not as a place but as a lifestyle.

Learning Pathways

RPA Designed Courses (recommended as primary educational model)

RPA designed courses are proficiency based courses created by teachers licensed in each subject area.  These courses have required class attendance and an expectation that students complete the course in the designated time frame.  Courses are offered as 12 week, 18 week, or 24 week classes and credit varies by the time spent and standards learned.   Individual courses include a variety of technology-related instructional delivery methods such as video lectures or podcasting seminars coupled with individualized learning experiences. In most instances, individual or small group instruction, discussions, and student-to-student responses via moodle, are utilized to maximize student learning. All courses are aligned to Oregon, national, or industry standards and will require demonstration of proficiency in each standard. Some courses spell out exactly what projects and assessments students need to complete in order to demonstrate proficiency. Other courses are less structured allowing students to determine what projects will be used to demonstrate knowledge in the subject area. All students are assigned a teacher for each RPA designed course and receive guidance and instruction from that teacher.

Teacher Verification Courses

The Redmond Proficiency Academy recognizes that learning takes place at different times, in many different forms, and in a variety of locations. Teacher verification courses are used when a student, along with his or her parents, wants to create a personalized learning experience. A teacher is assigned to meet with the student and parent to determine the state standards that will be met, how the learning will take place, how the learning will be demonstrated, and create a planned course statement. The student then embarks on the learning experience using a combination of parents, teachers, and others to create the educational experience. The student meets on a regular basis with the assigned teacher to discuss and show the learning taking place.  At the conclusion of the course, the student completes a presentation and other required projects or assessments to demonstrate the learning. Also, the teacher verification process is used to determine credit for prior learning. In this case, the teacher meets with the student to discuss the prior learning and determine the appropriate methods for the learning to be demonstrated.  An approved planned course statement will be created for all courses for which credit will be awarded.

Online Course Options

With its flexibility and customization, RPA has many relevant options for students, including:

Core Academics
Accelerated Learning
Enrichment
Special Education
Reinforcement
Credit Recovery
Student Retention
Remediation
Alternative or Continuing Education

Credit by Assessment

Credit by assessment is available to students who reach required scores on standardized assessments. These include the Oregon Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (OAKS), the SAT Reasoning Test, SAT subject assessments, and the ACT Assessment. Students who earn credit by assessment are required to create a plan that includes how they will continue their education by taking advanced courses in the subject area for which they are awarded credit by assessment.