Pasadena USD Expands Blended Learning To Improve Student Support

The Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) has teamed with a private partner in an effort to support struggling high school students and those interested in accelerating their learning with a series of blended learning programs.

Using programs provided by Thesys International, the four initiatives will focus on improving student retention, improving academic performance, increasing participation in online learning and preparing students for college.

The new contract with Thesys builds on an existing partnership in which the company provided blended course content for one of the district's alternative schools, the Pasadena Unified Center for Independent Study Academy (CIS). Students in the program met with teachers two to four times a week, depending on the course, and spent the remainder of their time in a teacher-supervised lab to work on blended learning materials.

"Through the new contract, Thesys will work with Pasadena Unified to continue existing blended learning programs operating in the district's alternative education schools, initiate a Thesys online school program in the district's high schools for GPA and credit recovery, implement the Thesys ELLoquence English language learner program across the district and create a repository of courses that will support the district's work with designing an online school," according to a news release.

"Through its partnership with Thesys, Pasadena Unified is making strides in its longstanding commitment to equip more students for college," said Jack Loos, CIS and Rose City High School principal, in a prepared statement. "The results show that blended learning has enhanced the classroom experience for both teachers and students to such a degree that it makes college a viable option for those who previously had little interest in school."

The Pasadena Unified School District serves approximately 19,000 students in grades preK-12 with about 1,000 teachers and 1,400 staff at 15 elementary schools, three K-8 schools, five middle schools, four high schools and three alternative schools. More information is available at pusd.us.

Visit thesysintl.com to learn more about Thesys.

About the Author

Joshua Bolkan is contributing editor for Campus Technology, THE Journal and STEAM Universe. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • classroom scene with students gathered around a laptop showing a virtual tour interface

    Discovery Education Announces Spring Lineup of Free Virtual Field Trips

    This Spring, Discovery Education is collaborating with partners such as Warner Bros., DC Comics, National Science Foundation, NBA, and more to present a series of free virtual field trips for K-12 students.

  • glowing padlock shape integrated into a network of interconnected neon-blue lines and digital nodes, set against a soft, blurred geometric background

    3 in 4 Administrators Expect a Security Incident to Impact Their School This Year

    In an annual survey from education identity platform Clever, 74% of administrators admitted that they believe a security incident is likely to impact their school system in the coming year. That's up from 71% who said the same last year.

  • horizontal stack of U.S. dollar bills breaking in half

    ED Abruptly Cancels ESSER Funding Extensions

    The Department of Education has moved to close the door on COVID relief funding for schools, declaring that "extending deadlines for COVID-related grants, which are in fact taxpayer funds, years after the COVID pandemic ended is not consistent with the Department’s priorities and thus not a worthwhile exercise of its discretion."

  • pattern of icons for math and reading, including a pi symbol, calculator, and open book

    HMH Launches Personalized Path Solution

    Adaptive learning company HMH has introduced HMH Personalized Path, a K-8 ELA and math product that combines intervention curriculum, adaptive practice, and assessment for students of all achievement levels.