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Voyager Expanded Learning Program
www.iamvoyager.com
Evidence of Effectiveness:
In 1999, 2,121 students in a national study were sampled and administered a pre- post-test in reading; results are as follows:
· 75% of all students made gains.
· Gains were statistically significant at the .05 level.
· Students enrolled in the Time Warp Egypt and Time Warp Greece (Voyager reading programs) had a pre- and post-test difference of .50 standard deviation or above. This effect size is educationally meaningful and statistically significant.
432 third-grade students in the Rising Stars Program in Jefferson County, were administered pre- and post- Stanford Diagnostic Reading Tests; results are as follows:
· 69% to 85% of the students showed gains.
· Normal Curve Equivalent (NCE) gains in reading ranged from 3.2 to 4.8 after approximately 60 hours of Voyager.
· According to Stanford Diagnostic Test specialists, NCE gains made by students in four weeks represent average one-year growth.
In New York City, students who had performed poorly on the district’s assessment test in math or reading, or had failed three subjects during the school year, were mandated to attend summer school and then take the New York City Promotion Assessment. The students who completed the five-week Voyager reading or literacy program performed as follows:
· 86% (n=44) of eighth-grade students passed the test in the Chancellor’s district.
· In District 27, students in all but one school participated in Voyager programs. Results indicate that 51% (n=346) third-graders, 66% (n=259) sixth-graders, and 68% (136 eighth-graders) passed.
· In District 8, 46% (n=205) third-graders, 56% (n=217) sixth-graders, and 68% (n=74) eighth-graders passed.
Summary of an Evaluation Conducted by the Houston Independent Schools (1996-1997 school year)
The report includes the total number and percent of students in 16 schools who obtained passing scores on the reading and mathematics subtests of the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS) and the percent of students who passed, aggregated by school and across all 16 schools. In addition, TAAS standard scores (Texas Learning Index or TLI scores) for 1995-1996 and 1996-1997 were used to assess year-to-year gains in reading and mathematics. Normal Curve Equivalent (NCE) gain scores also were computed, which are standard scores that permit comparison of Voyager participants across time and with other students in school districts across Texas. The key findings of this evaluation are as follows:
· A total of 238 (79%) out of the 302 Title I students tested obtained a passing score on the TAAS reading subtest. Seven of the 16 schools had passing rates for reading above 90%. Eleven of the 16 schools for which test score data were available showed positive TLI and NCE year-to-year gains in reading.
· Similar positive findings were reported for mathematics. Seventy-five percent (228 out of 306) of Voyager students obtained passing scores on the TAAS mathematics subtest. Five of the 16 schools obtained passing rates at or above 90%. Eight of the 16 schools obtained positive year-to-year NCE gains in mathematics; nine schools showed positive year-to-year TLI gains.
Program Description:
Voyager is a national education initiative created and managed by many of the nation=s top public school educators. Voyager provides a variety of after-school, summer, intersession, and in-school programs for children, grades K-8.
Voyager curricula are developed to make each child successful and to build self-confidence. There are no grades; in Voyager, every child is successful. The program generates a lifelong fascination with the concepts and content being explored. By building interest, children are inspired to continue learning outside the confines of the classroom and regular school day. The Voyager approach increases long-term retention and expands knowledge.
Voyager=s learning philosophy is based on such values as teachers as facilitators, student-directed instruction, real-world relevance, interdisciplinary exploration, and discovery-based learning. This philosophy is implemented using multiage grouping, designation of team leaders, group tone, learning station, academic boosters, and skill reinforcement. Essential components in every Voyager curriculum are special events, celebrations to mark program milestones, and opportunities for active involvement by both parents and the community.
All Voyager curricula are built around core subject matter and make complex concepts understandable through age-appropriate activities. All adventures include Gifted and Talented strategies, accommodate English Language Learners (ELL), and are embedded with skill boosters in mathematics, reading, writing and science.
Each Voyager curriculum encompasses content, concepts, and skill building to produce an innovative effective program for elementary-age children or middle school students.
This program addresses the following aspects of reading:
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Currently being completed.
Teacher Support:
Training is a critical factor in achieving a successful Voyager experience. Voyager=s orientation training and ongoing weekly coaching videos rejuvenate teachers and equip them with the latest innovation in teaching strategies. Through Voyager staff development, teachers master techniques that bring Voyager=s curriculum to life and elevate children=s levels of interest, comprehension, and retention.
· Two-day Voyager Training
· On-going support embedded in daily lesson plans.
· Support is available through the Program Support Hotline at 1-888-399-1995.
Equipment Requirements:
· Video Equipment
Costs:
· Treehouse – Kindergarten Reading 1.5 hrs/day/5 days $2,730 23:1
· Middle School Mathematics (6/7) 1.0 hrs/day/5 days $1,730 30:1
· K-6 1.5 hrs/day/3days $2,730 Integrated
· 6-8 1.5 hrs/day/3days $2,730 Integrated
· Discovery Reading Booster (1/2) 1.5 hrs/day/3days $2,730 Reading
· Conquest Reading Booster (3/4) 1.5 hrs/day/3days $2,730 Reading
· Pursuit Reading Booster (5/6) 1.5 hrs/day/3days $2,730 Reading
Summer School Model (18:1) (80 hours)
· Smithsonian Space Command (3-6) $2,370 Math
· Discovery Pre+Med – Community Hospital (K-3) $2,370 Reading
· Discovery Pre+Med – ER (3-6) $2,370 Reading
· Discovery Pre+Med – Code Blue (6-8) $2,370 Math
· Time Warp Egypt Reading Intervention (2/3) $2,370 Reading
· Time Warp Greece Reading Intervention (4/5) $2,370 Reading
· Time Warp America Reading Intervention (6/7) $2,370 Reading
Intersession (18:1)
· Sportmania (K-6) 40 Hours $1,365 Integrated
· T-Rex I (K-6) 40 Hours $1,365 Integrated
· T-Rex II (K-6) 80 Hours $2,370 Integrated
For Information Contact:
Mr. Montgomery
1125 Longpoint Ave.
Dallas, Texas 75247
Phone: (888) 399-1995
Current Location in Nevada:
Clark County School District
Bartlett Elementary Taylor Elementary
1961 Wigwam Parkway 400 McNeil Drive
Henderson, NV 89014 Henderson, NV 89015
Contact: Brad Reitz, Principal Contact: Lisa Babcock
Phone: (702) 799-5750 Phone: (702) 799-8950
Cambeiro Elementary Williams Elementary
2851 Harris Street 3000 E. Tonopah
Las Vegas, NV 89101 N. Las Vegas, NV 89030
Contact: Cenie Nelson, Principal Contact: Linda Griffith
Phone: (702) 799-1700 Phone: (702) 799-7179