Melissa Gorman (right), special education teacher at Academy for Design and Construction at Union High School in Grand Rapids, Michigan works with Delvonte Jackson-Stewart (left), a 16 year old 11th grader in his ‘blended learning’ class Friday morning, September 21, 2012. This course takes place in the school’s computer lab and lessons are fully online. These blended learning courses have four adults working with students, including a lead instructor, a special education instructor, a paraprofessional, and a tutor. Because of the number of adults in the classroom, the adult-to-student ratio goes down from 1 or 2-to-32 in traditional classrooms to 1-to-8 in the blended learning classes. District leaders from Grand Rapids began a blended learning program to emphasize college and career preparation while providing students with greater exposure to technology. This course takes place in the school’s computer lab and lessons are fully online. These ‘blended learning’ courses have four adults working with students, including a lead instructor, a special education instructor, a paraprofessional, and a tutor. Because of the number of adults in the classroom, the adult-to-student ratio goes down from 1 or 2-to-32 in traditional classrooms to 1-to-8 in the blended learning classes. District leaders from Grand Rapids began a blended learning program to emphasize college and career preparation while providing students with greater exposure to technology. –Brian Widdis for Education Week
