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Friday, March 29, 2024

New learning support model aims to benefit K-2 students

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District-203JOINT STATEMENT from Naperville School District 203 and Naperville Educational Support Professionals Association

The Naperville School District 203 is planning for a new Learning Support Model for the 2014-15 school year that will benefit students, learning and classrooms in grades K-2

According to the late afternoon news release that came with apologies just prior to spring break, the model is based on best practices of 21st Century classrooms. This change is being recommended because it is a much better model for children, noted Superintendent Dan Bridges.

The old model of pulling out young children for support or enrichment that is disconnected from the curriculum is outdated. The new approach will have assistants and teachers in the classroom collaborating in a way that connects kids to the core curriculum based on their need, whether for support or enrichment.

Under the new plan, there will be 48 new full-time positions of Instructional Assistants. While there will be fewer assistants, all will be full-time. There will also be increased number of contact hours between students and adults. Thirty-one (31) full-time and 40 part-time staff in four position categories LEAP (reading intervention), K-LEAP (kindergarten reading intervention), reading assistants and enrichment assistants will end. Full-time staff members will have “recall rights” for the new position of Instructional Assistants. They will be hired for the new positions based on seniority.

“Our assistants are experienced, know our children, and they will be essential to our new approach,” said Bridges in the release.

“NESPA and District 203’s priority are the students,” said Cis Meyer, president of the Naperville Education Support Professionals Association. “NESPA will continue to provide educational support for the students and collaborate with the teachers and all District 203 employees for the success of the students,” she said.

Classrooms are very different places than they were even three years ago. Technology, apps and a more effective way of teaching allow for more individualized learning.

The benefits are many. Among them are:

  • Students will be the beneficiaries of support in the classroom.
  • All instruction will be directed by our teachers. 
  • Teachers can quickly identify students who are struggling and need help, or ones that need enrichment. 
  • Teachers can respond to needs more immediately and modify the curriculum or instruction as warranted.Student learning will be much more connected to a rigorous and challenging core curriculum.
  • Students will be enriched in the curricular area, which will be more rigorous. 

This new Learning Support model will provide greater support for classroom teachers and greater numbers of students, he said. That help or instruction will now be given in the classroom, led by the teacher. The role of Instructional Assistants would include working with small groups of students, conducting assessments of students, collaborating with teachers on student progress, providing individual support or enrichment, and managing student behavior.

The administration will provide an update to the Board at 7PM during its Mon., April 7 meeting, at the Administrative Center, 203 W. Hillside Rd., Naperville.

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Naperville Community Unit School District 203
Naperville Community Unit School District 203http://www.naperville203.org
Naperville Community Unit School District 203 is a nationally recognized pre-K-12 school district of 17,500 students in two high schools, five junior highs, 14 elementary schools, and one early childhood center. The educational program of the Naperville 203 school district is designed to provide excellence for all students, and founded in the mission of educating students to be self-directed learners, collaborative workers, complex thinkers, quality producers, and community contributors.

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