“At a macro level, it is important for the district in partnership with a solution like Fuel Education to think through what goals they are trying to achieve and what the key objectives are that they want to meet in implementing blended learning. They need some sort of strategic framework as to what they’re trying to accomplish, how they want to do it, and what the multi-year ramp is to how they want to think about doing it,” says Levin. “They don’t have to have it all figured out, but just sitting down and thinking about it for a half a day makes the initial implementation a lot more successful.”
Furthermore, schools must ensure that the curriculum they use is standards aligned. Springs Studio operates in Colorado, which is a very “online learning-friendly” state that focuses on student growth as well as achievement. This has provided Springs Studio with more flexibility in regards to the curriculum they chose to implement.
With Springs Studio’s implementation of blended learning, they have nearly outgrown their current building due to increased enrollment. Implementing Fuel Education and creating an active and exciting learning environment that supplements that curriculum has increased student achievement and maintained students’ interest in learning.
“We want the engagement level and the social aspect of our building to attract kids to want to come in. I think that’s what’s been so successful. We have built and environment where kids want to come in,” says Knoche. “I’m the only principal in this country who gets hate mail on snow days.”
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