New Castle Community School Corporation Envisions Personalized Learning Pathways for All Students
The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing challenges in the New Castle, Indiana community and introduced new ones due to unprecedented disruptions to physical and emotional health, employment, and essential services, including the operation of New Castle Community School Corporation (NCCSC). Fortunately, NCCSC has been awarded a Next Generation School Improvement Grant (SIG) focused on the following goals:
Rapidly addressing the academic and corresponding impacts acutely experienced at New Castle Middle School and New Castle High School
Designing transformational educational opportunities by creating authentic, engaging pathways that may require reimagining the school day, instructional delivery, measures of proficiency, and credit attainment
Sherri Bergum, Director of Curriculum at NCCSC, believes students “will benefit greatly from this grant opportunity,” adding that “it will provide more flexibility and multiple options necessary for students to excel and be prepared for their postsecondary lives, whether that includes employment, enlistment, or higher education.”
Ultimately, NCCSC is fully committed to developing and implementing college-bound, credential-bound, and service-bound pathways that give students the opportunity to develop the skills, mindsets, and practices necessary to reach their potential.
The SIG program includes two phases of funding and support. During the one-year planning phase, NCCSC will collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, as well as SkyBound Education, to develop detailed project plans focused on creating personalized learning pathways for all middle and high school students. One of the guiding principles of this work will be ensuring that students have multiple opportunities to take pathway on-ramps and off-ramps as skills and interests evolve. By doing so, students will be more likely to be invested in their own learning, attend school more frequently, complete rigorous coursework, and pursue meaningful work-based learning experiences.
Using the carefully-crafted project plans developed during the planning phase, NCCSC will shift to a three-year implementation phase. With the additional federal funds provided by the school improvement grant and sustained, focused efforts, NCCSC will help students prepare for worthwhile postsecondary options.
As Adam McDaniel, Assistant Superintendent, notes, “The ever-changing landscape of employment in New Castle provides us with a unique opportunity to guide students on paths that better prepare them for life post-graduation.” He adds that “community leaders, business owners, and all school stakeholders depend on programming offered by NCCSC to equip our students with real skills and authentic experiences to cultivate a better New Castle community.”
SkyBound Education is grateful for the opportunity to support this important effort to ensure that NCCSC students are able to complete personalized learning pathways that honor their unique knowledge, skills, and interests, establishing a foundation for success in school and beyond.
