Instructional Program

Please click here for TMSA's full charter application (PDF, 28 MB).

Under North Carolina Charter School Law, charter schools must offer innovative and unique themes in education to increase students’ achievement. TMSA will employ a research-based curriculum in math, science and reading which has been proven through extensive field studies across the nation. These studies showed that the curriculum has improved student learning and has been found appropriate for all student populations, including at-risk of academic failure and academically-gifted students. Our curriculum is listed below:

Growing with Mathematics (GWM) (K-5)
- Aligned with the NC Standard Course of Study.
- Aligned with National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Standards.
- Identified as one of the 10 promising mathematics programs out of 61 reviewed by the U.S. Department of Education Expert Panel.
- Recognized as one of four elementary research based mathematics education core curriculum programs by National Science Foundation (NSF).
- Included in federally funded Catalog of School Reform Models published by Northwest Regional
  Educational Laboratory (NWREL).
- Research based through extensive field testing and in depth research.

Connected Mathematics Project (CMP) (6-8)
- Aligned with the NC Standard Course of Study.
- Aligned with NCTM Standards.
- Funded by NSF and headquartered at Michigan State University.
- Identified as the only Exemplary Mathematics Program by the U.S. Department of Education Expert Panel.
- Ranked highest by The American Association for the Advancement of Science (1999), stating that it contains both in-depth mathematics content and excellent instructional support.
- Research based through extensive field testing and in-depth research.

College Preparatory Mathematics (CPM) (9-12)
- Aligned with the NC Standard Course of Study.
- Aligned with NCTM Standards.
- Identified as an “Exemplary Program” by the U.S. Department of Education Expert Panel in 1999.
- Research based through extensive field testing and in-depth research.

Science and Technology for Children (STC) (K-5) and Science and Technology Concepts for Middle School (STC/MS) (6-8)
- Aligned with the NC Standard Course of Study.
- Aligned with the National Science Education Standards (NSES).
- Developed by the National Science Resources Center (NSRC), a nonprofit organization jointly operated by the Smithsonian Institution and the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering and Institute of Medicine to address the critical problem presented by the "A Nation at Risk" report.
- Research based through extensive field testing and in depth research.

Open Court Reading 2002 (OCR) (K-5)
- Aligned with the NC Standard Course of Study.
- Complete literature, reading and language arts program.
- Published and developed by SRA/McGraw Hill through nearly 50 years of intense study and field-testing.
- It maintains strong instruction in the areas of the followings:
  - Decoding (learning how to read)
  - Comprehension (understanding what you read)
  - Inquiry and investigation (learning how to apply what you have read)
  - Writing (how to communicate with others in print)

In addition to these proven successful programs, TMSA staff will utilize current best practices in their teaching to improve student learning in all areas. These approaches can be summarized as:

Integration of technology and Constructivist Learning
Multi-sensory approach to learning
Integrating science program with non-science curriculum
Teacher specialization in/after 4th Grade
Interdisciplinary Learning
Multiple Intelligences
Alternative Assessments
Peer Tutoring, Mentoring
Teachers as Homeroom Advisors

TMSA will have policies and procedures to ensure that all children with disabilities residing in the school’s jurisdiction, regardless of the severity of their disability, and who are in need of Special Education and related services, are identified, located, and evaluated in accordance with "NC Procedures Governing Programs" and "Services for Children With Disabilities" entrance and exit requirements as well as graduation requirements.

TMSA will offer free after-school and weekend tutoring programs for students especially who are at risk of academic failure and need extra help to pass their classes. TMSA will also prepare its students for regional, statewide, national, and international competitions such as Math Counts, American Mathematics Competitions (AMC), Science Fairs and International Science Olympiads. These programs will be accomplished through adequate training, efficiently designing the work days of faculty members and staff, and making the required time commitment a part of their employment contract.

The State Law holds charter schools accountable for meeting measurable student achievement results. TMSA aims to be one in the top 15 % among schools with similar demographics in Guilford County using State’s ABC Accountability Model. Being a school of choice, TMSA will also be accountable to the parents and students. It will send parent/student satisfaction surveys each year, which will be used to better understand and improve the areas of concern.

TMSA Board, having two NC A&T professors, will seek opportunities for partnerships with regional universities and institutions. These partnerships will help us offer the best quality education, share resources and hunt for grants from federal agencies such as National Science Foundation and Department of Education.

Triad Math and Science Academy