District Gets Web-Based Grant

Wills Point ISD is one of 13 school districts across the state selected to receive grant funds as part of a pilot program for a web-based learning program.

The Intensive Technology-Based Academic Intervention Pilot Program Grant provides $40,000, to be matched by the school district over the next two years, to introduce the program.

"We have purchased licenses for all of our students which enables them to access online core curriculum content 24 hours a day, from any computer with Internet access" said assistant superintendent Suzanne Blasingame.

The program is designed to meet the needs of every student, whether they are lower level or advanced placement. Students will be able to access tutorials, test views for ACT and SAT, as well as lessons.

"Diagnostics will assist teachers in developing an individualized plan for struggling students, or allow others to move forward at a faster pace," Blasingame said, and added that the program will help with dropout prevention and credit recovery.

The program can also be used in conjunction with a projector for use in a classroom setting, and capabilities for foreign language instruction and online classes for credit.

The district selected APEX Learning as the service provider for the two-year pilot program. Core curriculum teachers and tech support personnel will spend the district fair day learning the program.