SkillSet is Mainstream Development Educational Group’s model for delivering high-quality educational services to the growing number of students progressing from grade to grade with gaps in their skill and content knowledge base. With best practices such as differentiation, balanced math/literacy, and data-driven design paving the way, SkillSet helps fill in the learning gaps that leave students at an academic disadvantage.
Customized Support to Meet Academic Standards
Mainstream focuses on the unique needs of each school. It begins with listening as those needs are articulated by a variety of stakeholders – administrators, teachers, parents, students – and then defining a customized action plan to support what works and address the challenges and barriers. The goal is to insure that students are achieving in accordance with the state’s academic standards as well as the district’s learning targets. Data indicate that 79% of students who complete Mainstream’s program have shown academic improvement in reading and math.
Mainstream’s programs and services are aligned with Common Core State Standards, established college readiness standards, and other relevant academic measures. Mainstream’s instructional materials and methodologies are designed to improve student skills, confidence, and performance in 21st Century classrooms and work environments.
Mainstream’s Core Principles
Five core principles drive Mainstream’s program design and offerings:
- Flexibility is the ability to adjust to new measures, standards, and methodologies without deserting proven educational practices
- Individuality recognizes that each student, family, community, and school district is unique and has a right to skill development plans that build from existing strengths while improving weaknesses
- Integrity describes Mainstream’s commitment to honesty and transparency in all of its business transactions
- Persistence is based on the understanding that improving the academic performance of underachieving students requires commitment, patience, and a well-designed plan of action
- Vision helps focus our attention on supporting each student until his or her highest potential is achieved
Mainstream develops all of its programs and services using instructional strategies and curricular content that is firmly based in research and proven to be effective with the targeted student population. Most of Mainstream’s services are delivered in urban communities with students who are at increased risk of academic failure due to risk factors beyond their control. Those risk factors include poverty, a high mobility rate, limited English proficiency, and limited parental academic success.
To meet the needs of these students, Mainstream’s programs are adaptable; intentionally designed with significant input from school leadership teams with respect to how, when, and where services are provided; and rigorous in their focus on differentiated delivery of instruction and modalities for learning. These practices are grounded in the evidence base of highly effective instructional strategies.
Download the Research Supporting the Mainstream Model factsheet (pdf format for Adobe Reader).
College and Career Readiness
One of the most significant measures of college and career readiness is a student’s performance on the ACT. To achieve to their highest potential on the ACT, students require proper exposure, practice, and guidance. For far too many students, limited family resources result in poor preparation for this high-stakes test. Mainstream’s Test Ready Program levels the playing field, allowing all students – regardless of income – the opportunity to gain the experience, confidence, and ability to perform at their best. Mainstream has realized significant impacts, with student scores averaging in the range of 26-34 after completion of the Test Ready Program.