Synthesis
Every student in grades 7-12 is required to demonstrate mastery of computer skills each year. This is accomplished through the use of Mastery exams offered throughout the school year and during the summer.There are currently five levels of Mastery, corresponding to grades 7, 8 ,9, 10 and 11/12. The Computer faculty at Horace Mann have created a Mastery Guidebook which defines and teaches the skills necessary for successful completion of each Mastery. The Guidebook also contains the Mastery exams for each level.
The Mastery exams differ from traditional school tests in several important ways. The students are given a copy of the Mastery in the Guidebook on the first day of the workshop. They are encouraged to practice for the Mastery as often and as thoroughly as possible. Since the definition of "successful completion" is a 100% correct outcome, students may retake the Mastery repeatedly until they are able to complete the entire exam on their own without help from a teacher or another student. In this way, we can be certain that every student achives mastery of certain basic skills.
In the later grades (11/12), students may be given the opportunity to take the Mastery before attending any Instructional Workshops. If the student completes the Mastery successfully, he or she has completed the requirement for that school year and is exempt from Mastery training.
We expect that many students will require instruction and/or support to complete the Mastery successfully. We offer short, specific Instructional Workshops to teach the basic skills needed to complete the Mastery. We create our own materials for use in our workshops.