At the January 13 meeting, the Board of Education discussed the agreement for joint operation of the John C. Dunham STEM Partnership School, an innovative multi-district school on the Aurora University campus. The STEM Partnership School will open fall 2014 and serve approximately 200 students in grades three through eight from East Aurora, West Aurora, Indian Prairie and Oswego school districts.
The school’s curriculum will be aligned to new educational standards and is being developed by the four participating districts, the university, the corporate sector, and governmental and not-for profit partners. All subjects required by the Illinois State Board of Education will be taught, preparing the community’s talented young learners in ways that will ignite their interest in mathematics and science.
Equally important is the opportunity to develop the school as a model center for teacher preparation, faculty development and education research. Approximately two to three teachers will be drawn from each of the four partner districts and participate in graduate courses and professional development opportunities related to teaching and learning in STEM areas during their time at the school. Teachers then will return to their home school districts ready to serve as leaders and share their enriched knowledge of content and pedagogy with their colleagues.
Fifty students from each school district will have the opportunity to attend the school at no additional cost. Pending approval of the agreement from all four school districts, Aurora University will arrange a series of parent meetings where more information will be shared regarding application and admission procedures. University officials anticipate those meetings will occur in early spring. District 204's Board of Education is expected to vote on the agreement at its January 27 meeting.
More information on the John C. Dunham STEM Partnership School is available at:
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The school’s curriculum will be aligned to new educational standards and is being developed by the four participating districts, the university, the corporate sector, and governmental and not-for profit partners. All subjects required by the Illinois State Board of Education will be taught, preparing the community’s talented young learners in ways that will ignite their interest in mathematics and science.
Equally important is the opportunity to develop the school as a model center for teacher preparation, faculty development and education research. Approximately two to three teachers will be drawn from each of the four partner districts and participate in graduate courses and professional development opportunities related to teaching and learning in STEM areas during their time at the school. Teachers then will return to their home school districts ready to serve as leaders and share their enriched knowledge of content and pedagogy with their colleagues.
Fifty students from each school district will have the opportunity to attend the school at no additional cost. Pending approval of the agreement from all four school districts, Aurora University will arrange a series of parent meetings where more information will be shared regarding application and admission procedures. University officials anticipate those meetings will occur in early spring. District 204's Board of Education is expected to vote on the agreement at its January 27 meeting.
More information on the John C. Dunham STEM Partnership School is available at: