Lincoln Pursues ‘School Of Innovation’ Distinction

LINCOLN — Lincoln Middle School is applying to be named a School of Innovation as a way to bring recognition to changes it will make next year in learning pathways.

“We want to be a part of the School of Innovation program,” said Stan Karber, assistant principal. “We want to be a model school for that. Being a School of Innovation drives interest and the recognition brings attention to it.”

The school has made a “soft admission” to the program and will finalize its application prior to the deadline. The application will

go before a Schools of Innovation Board and then must receive final approval from the commissioner of education. If approved, a School of Innovations designation is granted for a four-year period.

Lincoln School Board voted 4-1 to give its approval for the application at the board’s Feb. 27 meeting. Board members Connie Meyer, Dax Moreton, Nick Brewer and Lisa Reed voted yes and board member Kendra Moore voted against the resolution, though she didn’t elaborate on why she voted no.

Karber said the program will be implemented whether or not Lincoln is named a School of Innovation using waivers approved for the school last year by the Arkansas Department of Education.

However, the school hopes to earn the distinction so it will receive statewide recognition for its programs for all students.

The middle school will use three pathways of learning next year to reach its students. These pathways will include traditional classrooms, I-School and the Wolf Learning Academy.

Students will submit applications seeking to participate in I- School or the Academy and the application process will include students, teachers and parents.

The I-School will be for students who are self-disciplined enough to handle online or digital classes, Karber said. Instruction will include small group activities, community service projects, experiments and hands-on learning.

Wolf Learning Academy will use blended learning and be made up of 100 students in fifth, sixth and seventh grades. Four classrooms or pods will be set aside for the academy to allow students to participate in a variety of small group, project based and computer instruction.

A key component of the program, Karber said, will be additional activities available for all students. Extra classes will be used as incentives and rewards. For example, students who finish their work on time or complete specific goals could sign up to go biking for 20 minutes or go to a yoga class for 20 minutes.

“This entire campus will be used to provide kids with other resources. We want all of them to meet their education goals and then be able to go meet personal goals,” Karber said.

Principal Michele Price said every student will have an individualized personal learning plan, called “learning profiles.” Teachers will work with children on their profiles and when finished these will be available online for parents and kids. The profiles will follow the students throughout high school and can be amended as needed, Price said.

Karber said education is not just one delivery of the message, followed by one assessment.

“There is not just one way to teach students,” he said, adding, “We want to keep student engagement high. We really need to figure out a way to reach these kids on a level that makes them want to come to school. All teaching and learning should have a purpose for each individual student.”

Goals for the school will include providing a safe place for students, helping students explore their passions and teaching life skills, such as character, socialization and respect.

Karber said he believes the word innovative implies “game changer.”

He wants students to participate in their education, to learn how to learn and to learn to embrace creativity.

“I want them to look beyond graduation … I want kids to see the world and then come back and build up this part of the state,” he said.

A schedule committee made up of teachers will develop the 2017-18 class schedule to help students meet goals outlined in their learning profiles.

Karber said it has been inspiring to him to see teachers take on the challenge to change learning at the middle school.

“It’s a lot of work but we have a whole staff willing to do the work. It’s for the betterment of the kids and everyone is for it.”

Staff have been explaining the pathways and classes to students and next, school staff will have a meeting to explain the plan to parents and the community.

Price

Karber