Governor Corbett Announces $633,000 in Hybrid Learning Grants to 34 School Entities

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 28, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In keeping with his commitment to promote innovative educational programs for Pennsylvania students, Governor Tom Corbett today announced that $633,000 in federal funds has been awarded to accelerate the implementation of hybrid learning programs in 50 school buildings in 34 school entities.

A new approach to provide cost-effective, personalized learning to K-12 students, hybrid learning employs frequent digital assessments to measure student performance and uses the results to identify students for differentiated instruction.

Hybrid learning presents learning in small groups and regularly rotates students among different education stations, including direct instruction with a teacher, independent learning on a computer and group collaboration with peers.

"Blending traditional teaching methods with new technology tools is creating student-centered classrooms that motivate students to succeed and increase their engagement in school," Corbett said.

"This innovative instructional method accommodates all students regardless of their learning style. Hybrid learning is just one of the new 21st century models that keep students at the center of our education system to ensure their success. These schools are to be applauded for incorporating hybrid learning into their educational program for the benefit of students," Corbett said.

This reallocation of federal Title 2A funding will help pay for a rigorous professional development program to help educators transform the culture and infrastructure to accommodate student personalized learning. The program includes onsite evaluations of current academic services, tours of existing hybrid schools and collaborative workshops, and digital content and information systems. 

In 2012, $1.1 million was awarded to 15 districts to launch the first hybrid pilot schools in the state that included more than 1,900 students and 48 teachers.  Early results from this initial phase have been very positive, with evidence of increased student engagement and high levels of satisfaction from teachers, students and parents.

Media contact: Tim Eller, 717-783-9802

Editor's note: Below is the list of grantees by name, county and award amount:

Bethlehem Catholic High School, Northampton County, $17,500
Bishop McDevitt High School, Philadelphia, $13,250
Brandywine Heights Area School District, Berks County, $25,000
Carbondale Area School District, Lackawanna County, $17,500
Dayspring Christian Academy, Lancaster County, $17,250
Eastern Lebanon County School District, Lebanon County, $17,250
Hatboro-Horsham School District, Montgomery County, $18,750
Homer-Center School District, Indiana County, $20,000
Indiana Area School District, Indiana County, $20,000
Lancaster Catholic High School, Lancaster County, $17,250
Luzerne Intermediate Unit 18 Alternative Learning Center, Luzerne County, $17,500
Manheim Township School District, Lancaster County, $17,250
Marian High School, Schuylkill County, $17,500
Mid Valley School District, Lackawanna County, $17,500
Mountain View School District, Susquehanna County, $17,500
New Covenant Christian School, Lebanon County, $11,750
North Schuylkill School District, Schuylkill County, $20,000
North Star School District, Somerset County, $19,500
Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit 19 Learning Center, Lackawanna County, $17,500
Northern Cambria School District, Cambria County, $19,500
Northwest Area School District, Luzerne County, $20,000
Parkland School District, Lehigh County, $25,000
Perkiomen Valley School District, Montgomery County, $18,750
Pine Grove Area School District, Schuylkill County, $20,000
Pittston Area School District, Luzerne County, $17,500
Pius X High School, Northampton County, $17,500
Richland School District, Cambria County, $17,500
Schuylkill Haven Area School District, Schuylkill County, $17,500
Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 Technology Center, Schuylkill County, $17,500
Shanksville-Stonycreek School District, Somerset County, $17,500
Shenandoah Valley School District, Schuylkill County, $20,000
Wallenpaupack Area School District, Pike County, $17,500
Wyoming Area School District, Luzerne County, $17,500
York City School District, York County, $30,000

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor