The Primary Program
Position Statements

Continuous Progress

Continuous progress offers children opportunities to build progressively on their developing knowledge and understanding of themselves and their world. It capitalizes on the interests and capabilities of students, while considering individual learning rates and styles. It provides success at all stages learning so children see themselves as competent, worthwhile human beings who are self-aware, self-confident, and sensitive to others.

Teachers structure a supportive learning environment and approach curricula purposefully to make decisions about appropriate experiences and resources for individual learning. This learning environment encourages the removal of grade barriers. Ongoing assessment and evaluation of the child’s learning would then replace such practices as promotion and retention. The teacher’s evaluation of the child’s level of development considers the learning demonstrated by the child, the goals of the program, and the widely held expectations for children’s learning and the descriptors of children’s learning.