Allentown, PA – The Allentown School District is excited to announce that K-6 Newcomer Academy is a recipient of Pennsylvania’s first-ever dedicated computer science funding. The PAsmart Targeted K12 Computer Science and STEM Education grant is designed to bring high-quality STEM education into elementary, middle and high schools across the commonwealth by expanding access to physical technology and STEM-related curriculum in the classroom.
This grant will support the district’s commitment to the Strategic Framework, specifically to center the district’s work on personalized learning and instruction. The targeted grant will be used to train teachers during the spring and summer months, with full implementation of computer science classes beginning at Newcomer in the fall of 2019. Nearly 70% of new jobs created in Pennsylvania will require computer science skills, and ASD is committed to ensuring that our students graduate from our District college and career ready.
“As we work towards the goal of becoming a 1-1 district, this grant provides the District with the opportunity to put more deceives in the hands of our students,” said Thomas Parker, Superintendent of the Allentown School District. “While acquiring technology is one component, it is equally important to provide our staff with training that allows them to effectively enhance the curriculum and classroom instruction.”
K-6 Newcomer Academy offers focused English Language instruction and supported content courses to students who are arrivals to the United States with minimal English Language skill. Increased access to technology can help better connect the culturally and linguistically diverse students and staff at the school. The targeted grants were specifically awarded to schools and districts with little to no computer science infrastructure or programming.
About Allentown Area School District
The Allentown School District serves nearly 17,000 students in a network of 25 early childhood, elementary, middle and high schools throughout the city of Allentown, PA. The Allentown School District is the third largest urban school district out of 500 districts in the Commonwealth. The District’s Mission states that each and every student will graduate college and career ready by having their individual needs met through active engagement in a rigorous, safe and nurturing learning environment. Our core values reflect a commitment to excellence, partnership and equity. The Allentown School District employs approximately 2,400 teachers, staff and administrators. Founded in 1866, ASD serves students from 51 countries speaking 26 languages with nearly 90 percent household qualifying as low income. www.allentownsd.org.
