NEWS
MERIDIAN SCHOOLS EXPLORE STEM -BASED PLAN TO HELP STUDENTS GRADUATE
The Meridian Public School District is exploring a way to engage high school students and to facilitate graduation through hands-on learning.
The Board of Education approved the acceptance of a grant — contingent upon contract review — to implement a technology-based, hands-on program designed to reach students who have hit some obstacles in their past years of schooling. Board members voted unanimously in favor of the plan, pending legal review, at Monday evening’s regular meeting.
John Taylor, the district’s assistant superintendent for curriculum, said that the program is called the Star Academy and that it comes with a grant of $1 million for a three-year term. He said the district’s application has already been accepted.
“It’s designed to be a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) approach to dropout prevention,” Taylor said. “The program extends itself to those students who have disengaged or who otherwise would be potential dropouts.”