STEEL VALLEY STRONGER - ACADEMICS

In order to best prepare our students for success in a rapidly changing world, it is imperative for the Steel Valley School District to ensure that every student has an opportunity to thrive.

With the help of federal funding following the COVID-19 pandemic, Steel Valley is continuously investing in our students through new curriculum programs, additional resources to combat learning loss and specific needs, and technological changes that will help the district better track student progress.

Two recent investments in our elementary school curriculum are already making an impact. “Into Reading” and “Into Math” provide new learning opportunities for students in both elementary schools, with a modern curriculum that keeps students engaged and prepares them for middle school. The program offers training for Steel Valley teachers, which enables them to grow and further develop their skills as educators.

At the high school, the district recently tweaked its math curriculum so that it aligns with the NCAA Clearinghouse. Steel Valley is proud of the number of student-athletes who have flourished on the field and in the classroom, and these adjustments will enable our student-athletes to maintain their eligibility with the NCAA so they can pursue their dreams of becoming college student-athletes. The district is evaluating its core curriculum on a regular basis and is constantly searching for ways to ensure it is providing a modern, robust educational experience.

A new program has been implemented to track student progress more efficiently from kindergarten through eighth grade. This system provides teachers and staff with better data so they can evaluate which students are ready for a new challenge and which students need some more assistance.

Though the pandemic has subsided, the effects of learning loss will continue to be felt for several years. Steel Valley is committed to providing students with the resources they need to catch up. We have enhanced our summer programs and after school programs to help students catch up. More programs are in the works for the future.

Whenever possible, Steel Valley wants to provide students and their families with the resources necessary for them to thrive right here at home. A program called Connections helps students who have been diagnosed with dyslexia improve their reading ability. Several Steel Valley teachers have already been trained in the program, which allows them to lend extra support to those students. The district is exploring options to provide additional training so that it can help students stay in the district while they receive the support they need.

With more students in need of additional resources, the district is exploring ways of using federal funding to bring on new staff to provide more support to our students.