Focused Learning program boosts student achievement

Bellefonte Elementary School has implemented a program called Focused Learning (FL) in their elementary schools to help close achievement gaps and give every student the opportunity to succeed. Students enter kindergarten with differing levels of readiness. In the FL program, students rotate in small groups through literacy and writing stations in four classrooms throughout the day. In each station they receive differentiated instruction, tailored to their skill level. Teachers involved in the program said that they see students advancing in social and literacy skills faster because educators have longer periods of time to work with them and the instruction is more focused. The program was funded by a grant from the William Penn Foundation. Watch a video to learn more.