Fall/Winter Edition 2013
ISD 273
Edina Public Schools News
Personalized Learning the Focus for Next Generation’s Success Secondary academic study looks at how to implement customized and flexible learning options for all students As part of the district’s implementation of the 2012-15 Strategic Plan, Edina Public Schools (EPS) has conducted a Secondary Academic Program Study to develop a grade 6-12 customized learning system that combines innovative choice and quality with accelerated and flexible learning. Since last fall, the District has conducted surveys with parents, staff, students and community members, led focus groups and brainstorming sessions, and held parent and community dialogues in an effort to develop the next generation of its secondary schools.
throughout the process and have an opportunity to provide feedback and suggestions. With over 320 face-to-face interactions and 750 online survey responses received, Smasal said the number of people engaged in the study has surpassed the district’s expectations. “We want to hear from all of our families that represent the diversity in our schools,” Smasal Credit: Jake Freeman, EHS Zephyrus said. “Sharing with the community that they are a part of the process stakeholders of the District have to say and how of the study is what will make the outcome those ideas will be implemented. The process a success and provide us with the best is ongoing, and as refinements are made, the methods to implement the feedback for future committee will return to stakeholders for a final generations of Edina Public Schools students.” review before presenting its recommendations
“We have a lot of good stuff going in Edina and we want to maintain that excellence at the core,” said Randy Smasal, Director of Teaching and Learning for EPS. “From there we want to continue to think The feedback collected of ways that we can “Our goal is to continue to from teachers, students advance the quality engage all students at a high and parents, as well as of our teachers and research gathered from learning of our students level so that they are very around the world on above and beyond motivated to explore their innovative 21st century that core to areas of secondary schools, are advanced excellence so spark and passions and to get major factors in how that our students have the best education they can.” the team of school and a full complement of district administrators opportunities that will position them well for will develop options for future EPS secondary the complex world that awaits them.” schools. Since the latest round of survey and Smasal noted that a key part of the study is input sessions in January, the committee page ad 111212 printer.pdf 1 has 11/13/12 1:08 evaluating PM ensuring thatPIP all 8x2 stakeholders are to involved been busy what valued
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to the School Board later this spring. “We have a lot of people engaged in the process and we want to continue to engage them as we refine the options and they evolve into recommendations,” Smasal said. “Our goal is to continue to engage all students in their learning at a high level so that they are very motivated to explore their spark and passions and to get the best education they can.” Smasal noted that through the secondary study, the District has been able to define personalized learning as the extent to which Continues on page 3
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