Crocker delivers a strong college prep program enhanced by the arts and technology. It is our belief that students excel academically when they receive a solid foundation on which to build. With this in mind, we have chosen to utilize the Louisiana Comprehensive Curriculum (LCC) as our core instructional program. Using the Louisiana Comprehensive Curriculum as our core instructional program ensures that our education program is aligned with the learning standards set by the state. The LCC allows content to be taught prior to state testing, which will allow our teachers time to assess student mastery of the content.
The following research-based instructional methods are organized and implemented in the delivery of instruction: thematic instruction; identifying similarities and differences; summarizing and note taking; cooperative grouping; integrating technologies; providing feedback; cues, questions, and advance organizers; reinforcing effort; and education challenges. Our school emphasizes the use of different and innovative teaching methods to target low performance. These practices stimulate learning, develop high order thinking skills, and enhance the development growth of all students. The pedagogies which form our academic philosophies and values are be supported by the following research-based instructional programs:
· SRA DIRECT INSTRUCTION is a top model for effective early reading, excelling in educating children for life. Long-term research provides evidence of its success as being an effective tool in developing basic skills, cognitive skills, and affecting gains for over thirty years. Known for boosting reading and writing skills in at-risk populations, SRA DIRECT INSTRUCTION was begun as a way to show that disadvantaged children can learn if someone will teach them.
· SAXON MATH has been shown consistently effective with children of varying ability levels and socioeconomic backgrounds. The research base promotes the effectiveness of SAXON MATH’S methods of introducing and reintroducing mathematical concepts throughout the year. What is termed as a continual and distributed approach to presenting and working with math, this systematic practice allows mastery of mathematical concepts therefore ensuring student success.
· DELTA SCIENCE is a research-based program which uses various teaching pedagogies to more effectively engage students in the study of science. These are: Scientific Inquiry; Hands-On Active Learning; Multi-sensory Methods; Student-to-Student Interaction; Discourse and Reflective Thinking. All of these address the multiplicity of learning styles found from student to student, and support active learning and the development of critical thinking skills.