The State College Area School District wants to expand learning enrichment opportunities for students in kindergarten through eighth grade.
Superintendent Bob O’Donnell briefed the school board on Monday night about expanding learning enrichment opportunities at the elementary and middle school levels to match the number of opportunities available to students at the high school.
The learning enrichment program, established in 1986, aims to create experiences that supplements the district’s curriculum through opportunities including more advanced learning opportunities, hands-on projects and trips, and one-on-one mentoring.
O’Donnell said the learning enrichment program is in need of improvement because different elementary schools approach the program in different ways, causing inconsistencies across the school district. These inconsistencies are exaggerated once elementary students are funneled into the same middle or high school, creating difficulties for teachers who have to teach to a wide range of students with different learning speeds and experiences.
SCASD Director of Human Services Jeanne Knouse said the first step in improving the learning enrichment process is to determine how many students are eligible for the advanced learning opportunities. A new student screening system being implemented this year will, among other things, identify students who could benefit from the learning enrichment program.
From there, O’Donnell wants to examine similar programs at other school districts and engage with district teachers, parents and students to obtain feedback about the enrichment program and where they see opportunities for improvement.
School district parent Kate Hynes also addressed the school board, thanking the board members for considering the district’s more advanced students. She stressed the value of input from district parents, relaying some of the difficulties her own son has faced when he was bumped up to a higher grade level in certain subjects.
Hyne also recommenced the board consider bring aboard an advanced learning professional to provide outside perspective about the school district and where the learning enrichment program can be improved.
The school board also approved a contract with State College-based contractor Paul Olivett to begin developing an educational foundation to act as a fundraising organization for the school district.
The district has agreed to pay a flat fee of $4,000 plus $50 an hour for Olivett to oversee the creation of the foundation, recruit foundation board members and analyze the district’s fundraising needs and goals.
