Quaker Valley School District officials have approved changes in the program of studies for the middle school.
The board voted on April 26 to replace two English language arts classes with a new ELA class.
The new course incorporates reading comprehension, vocabulary development, the writing process and grammar skills. Throughout the year, students will read, discuss and evaluate several genres, including fiction and non-fiction in novels, short stories and poetry.
The board also approved a pilot Project Lead the Way course, design and modeling in the sixth-grade course exploring engineering and design.
The district obtained a $10,000 grant from PLTW, a nonprofit organization that develops STEM curricula for elementary, middle and high schools, to pilot the program next school year.
Funds will also cover the PLTW participation fee for two years should the district adopt this curriculum after the pilot.
