Project SOAR

The Learning Institute and Project SOAR, 2004-2009, $1,050,000

In 2009, the PEF contributed $50,000 toward the use of The Learning Institute and SOAR now used in all 42 Little Rock School District Schools. This tool provides formative assessment, model lessons, and national, state, and local student achievement results by district, school, class, and student. This student data is used to assist schools and teachers in evaluating past performances, highlighting successful practices, and identifying areas of student improvement.

The Learning Institute and SOAR builds and supports learning communities in schools that have a strong focus on data-driven instruction and targeted professional development for teachers. Funding for the Learning Institute and SOAR was provided through a powerful partnership of state and regional foundations and corporations such as the Trinity Foundation, Riggs Benevolent Trust, Entergy, Acxiom, Walton Family Foundation, Bank of America, and the Lisenne and Win Rockefeller Family.

All LRSD Students in grades 2-9 are tested quarterly on the skills outlined by the LRSD curriculum maps. The Learning Institute houses data from student tests and makes the data available to teachers and administrators. These 'spot checks' of student understanding completed while a student's knowledge is being formed will allow teachers to identify and address every individual student's needs. Quarterly Project SOAR testing helps prepare students for the annual Arkansas Benchmark Exams and nationally normed reference tests.