San Carlos, CA (PRWEB) May 27, 2014
Education Elements is excited to announce that Landmark Academy at Reunion students made tremendous gains in student achievement as the result of a high fidelity blended learning implementation.
93% of Landmark kindergarten students met their growth target this year, compared to 61% last year and 90% of students were above grade level compared to 76% last year. First grade students saw similar increases in achievement with 71% vs 42% meeting their growth target and 90% vs 80% above grade level. Finally, 74% of second grade students met their growth target compared to 60% last year.
With a grant from The Colorado Education Initiative, Landmark Academy began work with Education Elements in spring of 2013 to design and implement a literacy-focused blended learning model for K-2 grade. In September 2013, students and teachers began using the Education Elements platform, Highlight, to access digital content and data and implemented an in-class rotational model with a tight integration between instruction and technology.
Academic Dean Jennifer Stengel said "We implemented a blended learning pilot in grades K-2 this year because we wanted to increase student achievement and student engagement. We have achieved both of these this year, we believe, due to the blended learning model we implemented. It allows teachers to easily create individualized learning plans for their students, maximizing their small group instructional time. We plan to continue using the blended learning model, adding at least one grade level each year."
Kindergarten teacher Sue Ciccarelli agreed, “Using technology as a teaching tool has helped my students show amazing growth this past year. The key is analyzing the data. Being able to individualize instruction for each student is critical for success. I can go to each student's account and enable or disable lessons according to their needs. While students are working on their computers, I am able to work with other students in small groups. This is a win-win for all!” Adrian, a 6 year old in her class, added, “It gets you ready for 1st Grade.”
Landmark principal Matt Carlton is extremely happy with their decision to implement blended learning alongside Education Elements and the resulting gains in academic outcomes. In particular, he has found the model strengthens new teachers. “This instructional model has been a great fit for new teachers, blended learning helps them move from novice to proficient much more quickly than a traditional school model,” Carlton said.
Education Elements CEO, Anthony Kim, remarked, “These are the types of results we see when strong leaders and teachers come together around the goal of transforming traditional classrooms to personalize learning for students. We are excited about the tremendous results from Landmark and look forward to hearing similar news for the 30,000 students we support with our platform across the country.”
Education Elements is a nationally recognized solutions company that helps districts develop and implement personalized learning strategies. Ed Elements' services help districts to create strategies, design instructional models and support teachers in integrating technology and instruction. Our platform provides students, teachers, and administrators each with a single entry point to access digital content and the detailed performance data they need to guide instruction and learning. This innovative cloud service offers simple and accessible data visualizations with actionable insights for users of all types. Education Elements has worked with over 100 schools across 40+ districts in the US; more than any other company.
The Colorado Education Initiative (CEI) is an independent nonprofit working in partnership with the Colorado Department of Education and public education stakeholders to accelerate bold improvement in student achievement through innovation, collaboration and capacity building. CEI believes that increased student achievement for all Colorado students requires effective leaders in every school, effective educators in every classroom and healthy and engaging environments that ignite a passion for learning in every student.