Share:
Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 18, 2013 09:26 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator David G. Argall |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Establishing the Hybrid Learning Entrepreneurial Fund |
| In the near future, I will be introducing legislation that would create a $10 million Hybrid Learning Entrepreneurial Fund. Hybrid learning is an educational model that I have utilized as a college instructor which uses a blend of digital resources, classroom teaching and peer collaboration to create a more personalized learning environment at school. Its purpose is to deliver cost-effective individualized instruction to increase student engagement and improve academic performance. Last year, 15 schools in Pennsylvania tried hybrid learning for the first time and the results have been very positive. In nearly all cases, students participating in the hybrid program performed well on standardized tests for academic achievement and demonstrated high levels of academic growth. In addition, surveys indicate that parents, teachers, administrators and students are very satisfied with the hybrid program. Hybrid learning has expanded rapidly in Pennsylvania with a small amount of assistance (about $1.9 million) from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, however no additional funds are available. In fact, 40 schools from across the Commonwealth already have plans to try hybrid learning but no funds to get started. Although hybrid learning leads to stabilized instructional costs over time, schools need start-up funds to plan, launch and implement new hybrid learning during the first few years. These start-up and transition costs are the focus of the Hybrid Learning Entrepreneurial Fund. Schools from across Pennsylvania that meet certain criteria will be eligible to apply for funds. The Pennsylvania Department of Education will administer the program. My legislation will also include strict accountability and reporting measures that schools receiving funds must meet. Please contact Jon Hopcraft of my office at 787-2637 or at jhopcraft@pasen.gov with any questions. |
Introduced as SB1241