The results in lower grades are even better, said Coefield. The second grade advanced a little more than two grade levels in the same amount of time. For the ARI program, FES faculty took two weeks of training over the summer as well as continuing professional development. Students are tested to assess their skills and potential problems. Then teachers create lessons for the different levels.
Students get the opportunity to work in small groups and individually with teachers.
During Monday's meeting, Superintendent of Education Danny Mobley said personnel and some school programs could be cut due to proration. To make the problem worse, the school system also lost more than three teacher units. Based on the number of students, the state recommends how many teachers should be employed in each school. Funding for school nurses, exit exam remediation, and transportation was reduced. Transferring and reducing personnel were also options to consider.