A half a dozen parents and one candidate for the Board of Education attended a presentation on August 22 at the Hampton Elementary School on the implementation of a new educational model that combines students of different grades in multi-age classrooms. The question-and-answer session was conducted by Principal Sam Roberson and Superintendent Frank Olah.

This approach to education isn’t entirely new to the school. For the past three years, students have been learning across grades in diverse ways, in whole school events and in small group activities. But next year students in first and second grades will be combined all day, as will third and fourth graders, and students in fifth and sixth grades. Preschoolers and kindergarteners will participate in some shared activities, but will receive the bulk of instruction in separate classrooms.

The school’s impetus for employing this educational model is multi-faceted. The program offers increased opportunities for social interaction, collaborative projects, and competency based learning, customized to individual student skills, needs, interests and pace. However, small class sizes were the initial rationale for instituting this method of instruction. There are currently 91 students enrolled at Hampton Elementary, with classes ranging from 8 to 12 students per grade. Combining these grades puts approximately 20 students in each classroom and provides them with both a better social and academic experience with peers.

According to Ms. Roberson, two teachers will be responsible for the delivery of instruction in each of the classrooms, with lessons and skills taught to the class as a whole, and smaller groups forming based on levels and interests. Students will generally utilize one classroom, but groups might use separate rooms for certain projects. The school employs no instructional support staff, so the classroom teachers will provide students with the remediation they sometimes need. There are also additional opportunities for students to academically advance. The groups are fluid and may overlap grades, with students in grade two participating in lessons with third graders, for example.

The school is also developing a mastery based report card with more detail regarding acquired skills, and providing a daily opportunity for students to share emotional and social concerns to plan strategies for coping with them throughout the course of the school day. Some of the parents asked questions on this social-emotional component and were assured that topics would involve school experiences, such a dealing with bullying. Parents’ questions on the ways students would progress through the program were also addressed.

Juan Arriola, a candidate on the municipal ballot for the Board of Education, asked questions concerning the teachers’ training, contact with other professionals utilizing similar programs, and on-going support. Ms. Roberson said that several staff visited other schools, many received training, and all participated in professional development toward the goal of team teaching multi-aged classrooms.  The school has also contracted with EastConn for continued support and collaboration with other schools.

With the school set to open its door the following week, participants at the meeting were supportive of the  program, the administration was confident of its success, teachers are teamed and prepared, and the school can always count on the students to supply in copious quantities the most important ingredient: enthusiasm.