Gearity receives Straight A grant

Gearity Professional Development School in University Heights.

Gearity Professional Development School earned a Straight A grant award for $484,608 from the Ohio Department of Education, pending state controlling board final approval on July 28. Gearity’s project, DigiLit (Digital Literacy), will transform the look and feel of the elementary school classroom to engage students and significantly improve student achievement.

“This will be an exciting opportunity for the Gearity staff to teach in a new and innovative way to motivate students while learning,” reported Kristen Abdow, lead literacy teacher.

John Carroll University’s (JCU) Department of Education and School Psychology is a key partner in this innovative project. The team lead is Kathleen Roskos, Ph.D., who conducts reading research and is widely published on literacy development and reading education topics. Roskos commented, “The DigiLit project gives us a golden opportunity to develop, implement and evaluate an innovative model of English Language Arts instruction.”

Joining Roskos, and Gearity’s principal and teaching staff, are professors from JCU, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland State University and University of Akron. Heights Libraries will partner to provide digital literacy opportunities to families, and Gearity PTA will support DigiLit through parent meetings and communication.

The DigiLit classroom is a flexible, participatory environment that weaves together virtual and physical learning spaces where students can explore, create and share work, and collaborate. Using iPads and Chrome books, students will access e-books, e-texts, applications (apps) and other content; use video and audio software for recording; and edit, build and create using technology such as mini-3D printers.

In project-based learning spaces which support the STEM focus of the school, students will explore, experiment and problem-solve. For example, using iPads, students can take on the role of digital reporters to raise schoolwide awareness about local issues and topics of personal interest. DigiLit will involve remaking the physical space of the elementary school classroom into an environment that supports innovation, creativity and increased academic achievement.

Straight A, funded by lottery funds, was developed to support innovative and sustainable education projects in the state of Ohio. After the first project year, Straight A awardees must demonstrate that the project can be sustained at no additional cost to the district. Gearity’s project, slated to begin this fall, projects an annual reduction of $14,453 at the school through decreased paper and textbook costs.

The DigiLit Implementation Team will provide reports on its progress throughout the 2014–15 school year. For more information, contact Susan Pardee, coordinator of school improvement/federal programs, at 216-397-3869 or s_pardee@chuh.org.