Innovation in the School District

 

I want to share with you some innovative programs that teachers are going to implement during the next school year.  This list keeps on growing as teachers come forward with more ideas.  I have a firm belief that our teachers will design a world-class instructional experience for our children if given the opportunity.  The ideas that I am sharing with you all come from teachers.  I am excited to share them with you.

1.     Harrison Park’s “Pod”: The Pod is a group of 70 students in grades 3-5 who will be mixed together for math instruction.  Students will be grouped during every math topic regardless of grade level.  The students will learn at their own level and complete a process for every topic that closely resembles the Mass Customized Learning Model that is set forth in the book Inevitable. 

2.     Harrison Park’s “Warrior Workshop”: The workshop is a dedicated room that all teachers and students can utilize to enhance math instruction.  The room will be staffed by a Student Learning Assistant who will organize activities and learning experiences centered on math instruction for students and teachers.  Cutting edge programs such as “Hands on Equations” are available to all students in the school in the Warrior Workshop.

3.     Sunrise 4^th Grade Mass Customized Learning: Two 4^th grade teachers split their group for math instruction and allow students to determine their best learning modality.  The students are given a choice of instruction for every topic after they take a topical pre-test.  The students can choose instruction on a continuum from traditional teacher-based instruction to independent learning with very little teacher input.  The early reports are that the students enjoy the freedom of choosing how they learn and the students are choosing appropriate placement for their instruction. 

4.     The Penn-Trafford Virtual Academy: This initiative started with two high school teachers receiving some training in February because they were interested in placing their classroom instruction and curriculum in a virtual format.  It has grown in that short amount of time to almost 15 teachers from every level (high school, middle school and elementary school).  These teachers are building their classes online to help enhance the learning experience for their students in their classroom.  The goal of the Penn-Trafford Virtual Academy is to give teachers another tool in their toolbox to help their instruction with their students in their classroom.  The PT Virtual Academy is about helping our teachers, in their classroom, with their students, using our curriculum.  As a result of a lot of hard work, the school district will offer a “Blended” (half online, half face to face) English credit recovery class this summer. 

5.     High School English Class Using Kindles (or Nooks):  One of our AP English classes will have students use an e-reader instead of purchasing novels.  The students have to read 25 novels for the class and it is actually cheaper to purchase a $79.00 e-reader then all of the books.  Most of the books that they have to read are offered for free or for .99 cents on the e-reader which is where we can save money.  We want to see whether the e-reader option will work with our students. 

6.     Middle School Social Studies w/out Student Textbooks: The Social Studies teachers in both Middle Schools have chosen to purchase classroom textbooks instead of a textbook for every student.  This is a huge step toward fulfilling the School Board goal of replacing textbooks.  In lieu of textbooks for every student, the money budgeted for textbooks will be spent on an IPad cart for the classrooms.  I feel confident that instruction will be enhanced in our Social Studies program in the Middle Schools as a result of this pilot program.

7.     High School Inquiry Based, Customized Learning:  The high school teachers that traveled to the Downingtown magnet school (about 12 of them) have come back from that experience determined to restructure their instruction and how students experience their class.  The focus will be more on student learning (not just “covering” material) and increasing customizable learning experiences.  The group is exploring the option of being trained in inquiry-based learning and discussing how that type of instruction can be embedded into their classrooms.

8.     Level Green and Harrison Park Inquiry-Based Science Project:  A group of teachers traveled with Mr. DiNapoli to a STEM conference this winter.  A result of that trip will be a pilot program exploring how to incorporate inquiry-based, “hands-on” science instruction in the classroom.  This is a small group because of the cost of the program, but if the teachers find that it significantly enhances our Science program then we will expand it next year.  The inquiry model of instruction will lead toward more critical thinking skills for our students.

9.     McCullough Mass Customized Pilot Program: McCullough has three grade levels where teachers are collaborating to provide instruction that meets the students at their need and ability level.  Students will have a pre-test that determines their current level of proficiency on a specific topic and then the students are broken into groups where instruction will occur that meets their needs.

These pilot programs will move the district closer to meeting the School Board goals and vision.  All of the programs will be evaluated based on student outcomes, financial sustainability and how well they move the district toward meeting the School Board goals.  I am very excited by every one of these initiatives.  They are all teacher created with the administration serving as a resource to build them.  I am proud of the hard work of the teachers in coming up with the ideas and the administrators in putting these programs in place and encouraging innovation within our schools.