Superintendent's Message
January 2020
Happy New Year! Welcome to 2020 and a new decade here in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District! January provides a wonderful opportunity to reflect on what we have accomplished, as well as what to look forward to in the upcoming year.
Here in KPBSD we continue to work hard on the goals set forth in our 5-Year Strategic Plan. We continue to make progress and look forward to continuing with these efforts. To review our strategic plan please click this link: https://www.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/strategicplan.aspx?id=27170
With a new legislative session just around the corner, we are certainly in a better place than we were last February when Governor Dunleavy released his proposed FY20 budget to the legislature. This year the governor has essentially funded K-12 Education at the same level as last year, minus the additional one-time $2.1 million dollars that KPBSD was allotted last year. The mayor has committed to funding KPBSD to the maximum allowable and this certainty in funding is very much appreciated. This certainty will allow us to focus our energies on Juneau and any new legislation that will have impacts to education, Alaska’s economy, and social well-being. KPBSD continues to serve our students and communities well, as evidenced by the amazing things happening in our schools, the positive impact we have on our community, and the accomplishments of our students and alumni. We will continue to work closely with state and local leaders to ensure they understand how our district uses its funding and the results we are able to accomplish due to the funds we receive.
As we embark on this new year, we do so with a sense of excitement and optimism for the future of this school district and the State of Alaska. Take care.
John O'Brien, Superintendent
Learn more about PL, or read on:
Personalized Learning in KPBSD
Personalized learning shifts from a one-size-fits-all factory model of education to better prepare students for the jobs and needs of their future. The design of instruction and the classroom allow educators to respond to the individual needs of students instead of expecting students to fit the current mold or adapt to unsuccessful learning structures. PL does not replace teachers with computers. Many of our teachers implement elements of PL in their classrooms right now, and we will now build on this foundation to create an even better learning environment. Key elements your child will experience include:
- Teachers integrate digital content, which allows for a differentiated path and pace based on individual student needs
- Teachers use targeted instruction based on specific student needs and learning goals
- Teachers use current and relevant data to help inform instructional decisions and groupings
- Students engage in ongoing self-reflection that promotes ownership of their learning
When will PL formally start in KPBSD schools?
Every KPBSD school is doing some degree of work with personalized learning. However, the formal work of individual schools and teachers working directly toward personalized learning will be rolled out in three "waves" over the next year.
- Wave 1 schools began their work in spring 2017, and will continue in the fall of 2017.
- Wave 2 schools will begin their formal work with Education Elements in the fall of 2017.
- Wave 3 schools will begin their formal work with Education Elements in the spring of 2018.
Links
Personalized Learning
webpage
KPBSD Personalized Learning Blog
Personalized Learning
FAQs
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