How does Pathways work?
Our program is founded on the model of the educational team, which is a partnership between the student, parent or guardian (as the day-to-day teacher), and the Pathways independent study teacher. Together this team will select materials and methods that best fit the student’s needs and support the completion of the state standards. After discussing the child's previous learning environment, current performance levels in the core subjects, desired learning formats and learning styles, the teacher will help design a learning plan which will include a combination of the following:
- Credentialed teacher support
- Curriculum from our resource library
- New educational materials purchased through our catalog vendors
- Online curriculum and classes
- Classes at a regional learning center
- Activities with vendors in the community
- Field trips, workshops, co-ops, etc.
- Intervention and support for struggling students
Roles of the Educational Team Members
We serve a diverse range of families, each of whom has a different set of needs in terms of the support provided by the school and teacher. In combination with designing the learning plan, the teacher will also discuss the roles of each member of the educational team. Below are the typical roles within an educational team but, for families who want more support, the teacher can provide more direct guidance and oversight through weekly meetings.
Pathways IST (Independent Study Teacher)
- Ensures standards are being covered
- Provides access to appropriate curriculum and assignments
- Approves educational materials orders
- Monitors student progress
- Offers support to parent/guardian
- Evaluates student work and awards grades
Parent/Guardian
- Acts as day-to-day teacher and monitors daily school work completion
- Records attendance on daily log
- Reviews and grades student work as directed by Pathways IST
- Provides transportation and access to resources such as learning center classes
- What educational approach do you want to use?
- There are a range of approaches, from traditional textbooks and materials, to project-based thematic units. Some of these approaches may also align with specific educational philosophies, such as Waldorf or Classical Education.
- What types or methods of instruction do you want to include?
- As you learned at the orientation session, we offer a range of instructional methods and materials to reach the grade level standards, including curricula/texts, learning center classes, classes in the community with approved vendors, online curriculum, online classes, projects, and parent-designed units.
- How much guidance do you need as a parent/guardian?
- It is important to consider not only your child’s needs, but yours as well. As you step into this role of teacher, how much and what type of support do you need? Some parents want a curriculum that lays out daily lessons while others are more comfortable piecing together various elements from a variety of materials. The level of support you desire or need will influence the frequency with which you meet with your teacher.
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |
Learning Activities
Daily engagement required.
Number of hours varies by grade level.
See assignment sheet.
|
Student:
Independent Study assignments at home, such as workbooks, projects, readings, etc.
Parent role may include direct lessons, overseeing work completion, grading work, transportation to classes or field trips.
Optional
Afternoon Middle School Math and Science classes at the learning center.
|
Student:
Independent Study assignments at home, such as workbooks, projects, readings, etc.
Parent role may include direct lessons, overseeing work completion, grading work, transportation to classes or field trips
|
Student:
Independent Study assignments at home, such as workbooks, projects, readings, etc.
Parent role may include direct lessons, overseeing work completion, grading work, transportation to classes or field trips
|
Student:
Independent Study assignments at home, such as workbooks, projects, readings, etc.
Parent role may include direct lessons, overseeing work completion, grading work, transportation to classes or field trips
Classes at the learning center for Grades K-8.
|
Student:
Independent Study assignments at home, such as workbooks, projects, readings, etc.
Parent role may include: direct lessons, overseeing work completion, grading work, transportation to classes or field trips
Morning math tutoring at the learning center for Middle School.
|