Hatboro-Horsham School District Hybrid Learning Students Outperforming Traditional Learners

Horsham, PA, January 28, 2015 –The Hybrid Learning Institute (HLI) and Dellicker Strategies recently released the findings for the Hatboro-Horsham School District Hybrid Learning classrooms in its Hybrid Learning Program Results. Hybrid students in Hatboro-Horsham School District scored an average 7% better in all subjects compared to non-hybrid classrooms matched for comparison.

The program results document academic outcomes in 31 hybrid learning programs in Pennsylvania for academic year 2013-14. The hybrid learning model combines up to three methods of learning into one classroom – direct instruction from teachers, group activities with peers, and student use of adaptive digital content. Hybrid learning increases student engagement and enables students to work at an individualized pace and allows for more one-on-one time between teachers and students.

“Last year was our first year in the Hybrid Learning program,” said David Weber, Hatboro-Horsham’s Director of Curriculum for Educational Programs and Assessment. “We piloted the program in math and world languages. Needless to say, we’re very pleased with the results we’re seeing and we’re looking forward to expanding our program.”

Hatboro-Horsham successfully implemented a rotational model with fidelity in all of the classrooms that piloted the program. The district operates five elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. During the first year of piloting the hybrid model, a handful of classrooms in five of the district’s schools participated. In 2014-15, the hybrid pilot has expanded to include classrooms in all buildings.

Susan McGorrey, a world language teacher at Hatboro-Horsham Senior High School, who used the hybrid instruction model with her Spanish classes said, “The integration of technology into my program has opened up the range of formative assessments available. The feedback is instantaneous and the students know whether they understand the concepts. It has allowed me to better tailor the activities for students. The rotations model has given me time to work with pairs or groups that have specific needs.”

“One of my students told me, ‘hybrid is like having two teachers. They teach differently, but that’s good, because if I don’t get it with one of them, I usually get it with the other one,’” reported Jean Shutt, a math teacher at Keith Valley Middle School.

Montgomery County Intermediate Unit 23 (IU 23) provides support for Hatboro- Horsham as members of the Hybrid Learning Institute. IU23 provided several full days of training and has monthly professional development sessions with the teachers. A hybrid learning coach meets with the teachers on a regular basis in their classrooms to provide just-in-time support, feedback and resources.

This year’s report included information from 19 school districts and local educational agencies, 31 school buildings, 211 teachers and 8,010 students kindergarten through 12th grade. It highlights the school districts of Eastern Lancaster County, Lebanon, Spring Ford, Hatboro-Horsham, Indiana, and Pittston.

In addition to academic performance, the report measures digital age competencies, classroom engagement, teacher confidence and school productivity. In all grades and in all subjects, hybrid learning classrooms are exceeding expectations and producing promising results. As hybrid learning continues to grow and HLI adds additional school districts, future results will continue to show the effectiveness and benefits of blended learning.

About The Hybrid Learning Institute and Dellicker Strategies

The Hybrid Learning Institute helps schools adopt innovative technologies and teaching methods to personalize learning and motivate students. Dellicker Strategies is the lead consultant to The Hybrid Learning Institute, a national effort to promote, plan and implement promising blended models for student-centric education in mainstream schools. For more information visit: www.dellicker.com or www.hybridlearninginstitute.com