Basic Skills Program for 5th Grade Students
R.A.S.
"Reaching, Achieving, Succeeding"
The Reaching, Achieving, Succeeding (RAS) program is a supplemental program provided to fifth grade
students in reading, mathematics, and writing. Students are eligible for the program based on their
performance on the NJ Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJ ASK) in fourth grade. A teacher checklist
serves as a multiple measure for student participation.
The RAS Program encourages students to be successful learners, not only in the basic skills program,
but in the mainstream classes as well. The major goal of the program is to build the student's ability
and confidence in mathematics, reading, and writing through a variety of meaningful approaches. There
is the belief that self-esteem and skills can be learned. The staff helps students to attribute success to
effort, and instructs the students to think of ability as changeable, rather than a stable, characteristic.
The RAS instructors monitor the progress of the students in the program. An ISIP (Individual Student
Improvement Plan) is developed for each student and serves as the instructional guide for the student.
Pre/post test information is collected on the students and used to assess both student and program
gains.
