Programs aim to increase children's skills, confidence

By Megan Ma, Town Crier Staff Writer

In a valley bred on high academic standards, supplemental after-school learning programs are increasingly becoming the norm. Two popular programs in the area - Score and Kumon - take markedly different approaches. Yet both cater their adaptive curriculum to the individual student to challenge even the gifted child.

Score, a learning and tutoring program at 650 Fremont Ave., Los Altos, emphasizes positive reinforcement for a child’s learning outside the classroom.

“Our mission is to revolutionize education by looking at the whole child, creating a love of learning and building confidence,” said Leslie White, region manager.

On one recent day, children of many ages were sitting in front of computers, some so young their legs still swung freely off the floor. A few were making wild throws at a basketball hoop in the back, while others were sharing high-fives with their attentive mentors. At the end of a session, each child is offered these small rewards for her effort.

All students who enroll take an initial standardized assessment exam, akin to the California STAR test, to gauge their performance at their grade level. Based on the results, mentors compile a personal program.

The software program Advantage offers skill sets in math, science, reading and reading comprehension. Colorful animation and large prompt bars make the navigation easy and engaging.

When students miss a problem, the program retrieves previous problems of lesser difficulty to reinforce the fundamental concept. The skipped question then reappears later in the skill set.

Seated around a large computer table, students can receive direct instruction but the emphasis is on independent learning, said White. The student to staff ratio is about six students to one instructor.

Score also offers a personalized tutoring program in math and reading, in which students can receive more focused, personal attention. All the work is done under the supervision of an instructor. Neither program assigns homework.

The greatest motivation for learning, White said - summarizing one aspect of the company’s philosophy - is making it exciting and fresh for students.

Two parents who asked that their names not be used out of consideration for their children said they were impressed by the attention and encouragement their children received.

“The teachers are very good, very communicative - they provide feedback on cards after each session,” said one father. “They know the child, the person, and don’t just offer computer-generated results. The motivational aspect they provide is just fantastic.”

At Los Altos Kumon Math Center, 419 San Antonio Road, Mountain View, the din of chatter marks a frenzied atmosphere. From the toddlers who play number tile games in the far corner of the room to junior high kids who pore diligently over their math quizzes, pace is the key.

“We emphasis accuracy and speed here,” said instructor Koji Otsuka. “If students have a strong grasp of the fundamentals, they will do better and feel more confident in school.”

Students of various academic levels in any age group - the youngest learner is only seven months old - attend Kumon biweekly for 30 minutes. Depending on their levels of understanding and performance on an initial proficiency test, students are assigned worksheets that illustrate a concept - whole fractions, for example, or critical reading skills.

The students complete the problem set under timed conditions, gradually ramping up speed as they become accustomed to the problems. After completing the worksheet accurately in the allotted time, students move on to a slightly more challenging assignment.

Patterned in part after the Japanese educational concept of rote memorization to build a strong foundation, the course also takes its cues from the universal American school curriculum.

The difference, said Otsuka, is that students can move at their own pace in Kumon’s program, unlike a classroom situation where the emphasis is placed on the entire group advancing to the next level.

When students do not receive enough individual attention, they can feel left behind, confused and frustrated, said Otsuka. Gifted students are likely to feel bored.

“Kumon is different from school because the course is customized to fit them,” Otsuka said. “We see great improvements in our students and a stronger sense of motivation.”

Homework is assigned daily - from as little as 10 minutes for the younger children to 30 minutes for junior high school students. Daily practice reinforces concepts and instills a sense of discipline, said Otsuka.

The routine is not meant to be binding and stifling for the youngsters, he added.

“Most of the kids here enjoy the work. They learn that studying can be enjoyable,” he said, pointing to groups of energetic children as they lined up to have their worksheets graded.

His daughter Chieko, who also works as an instructor, agreed. It’s a lively environment, she said, far from being rigid or fastidious - especially when 50 or 60 children are there.

Most students stay in the program for about three years, said Otsuka, in which time they are performing at least three grade levels above their peers.

Kumon’s material covers about two years of the grade-appropriate school curriculum each year.

For more information, call Kumon at 948-4124 or Score at 948-8118.