Achievement Test:

A test given at the end of each level to assess mastery of the completed material, and to determine whether a student should advance to the next level or continue to practice at the current level.

ASHR (Advanced Student Honor Roll):

Kumon's most prestigious international recognition program.  ASHR acknowledges students working one or more grade levels above their current school grade.  Kumon aims to have all of its students achieve the distinction of doing advanced work.

Core Skills:

The fundamental concepts and tools that may be applied by a student throughout his or her academic career to grasp and tackle material in all subjects and at all levels.  The Kumon Method focuses on developing these core skills at every level of the program to ensure that the building blocks of learning are solidly in place.

Feedback:

The interactive process by which the Kumon Instructor, parents, and student communicate regularly about the child's performance, correct work, set goals, and make continual adjustments to ensure optimal advancement.

G by 5:

A term referring to Kumon's stated goal for all students - to achieve Kumon Level G by fifth grade.  This is Kumon's benchmark for successful progress because years of experience demonstrates that students who attain it remain proficient at all higher grade levels as well.  Kumon recognizes this accomplishment with a national award.

Independent Learning / Learning Independence:

A major distinguishing feature of the Kumon Method and the key to unlocking potential.  By working through material on their own, as guided by a Kumon Instructor, students gain mastery, motivation, and the confidence to succeed - without the constant intervention of a tutor or teacher.

Individualized Study:

A systemic feature of the Kumon program whereby the instructor continually assesses and addresses the particular needs of each child, and fine-tunes the program accordingly.

Level (Kumon Curriculum Level):

The largest unit by which material covered in the program is organized, and by which students advance through the Kumon curriculum.  Each level - comprised of 200 worksheets - covers a specific body of skills to be mastered by the student in strict sequence.  There are 22 levels in the Math program and 24 in the Reading program.

Mastery:

The ability to apply a skill or concept with the accuracy, speed, and confidence to demonstrate a total command of the material.  Mastery means that a skill or concept has become second nature and will be permanently retained.  Mastery is the prerequisite for advancement.

Placement Test:

A test given to students prior to enrollment to determine the correct starting point in the Kumon curriculum.  To ensure a solid foundation for advancement, as supported by years of research with thousands of Kumon students, this starting point is often well below the child's current grade level.

Set (Kumon Worksheet Set):

A booklet of ten Worksheets focusing on a particular skill or concept, such as "multiplication by 2."  Sets are developed and assigned in strict sequence, and practiced until the material covered is mastered.  In this way, students advance step-by-step through the program.

Standard Completion Time (SCT):

A prescribed number of minutes to complete a particular Worksheet with a perfect score.  Kumon determines and continually re-evaluates SCT based on the actual performance of tens of thousands of students.  The Kumon Instructor pinpoints within a designated range the appropriate SCT for each individual student.  Successfully completing Worksheets within the SCT demonstrates that the student has mastered the material and is ready to move on.