District rolls out Project Lead The Way modules and new elementary science curriculum; training and kit costs constrain rollout
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Summary
Grain Valley R-V is starting to implement Project Lead The Way in elementary classrooms as part of a newly written science curriculum; staff will train teachers via a train‑the‑trainer model and buy kits as funding permits, with grants of about $5,000 cited as typical kit‑purchase increments.
The Grain Valley R-V School District is beginning to implement Project Lead The Way (PLTW) modules at the elementary level as part of a newly written science curriculum adopted this school year.
District staff said PLTW was intentionally written into the new science curriculum with a goal of roughly one PLTW module per quarter at each grade level. The district is using a train‑the‑trainer model: instructional coaches who are PLTW trainers are providing required PLTW training to early‑adopter teachers this year through the Valley Learning Pathways program, and the district plans to expand training through summer workshops and stipended sessions during the school year.
Staff noted constraints: PLTW requires teacher training and specialized kits that are costly; the district said it typically can obtain about $5,000 at a time in grant funds and that each grant only purchases a limited number of kits. The district will slowly expand both its teacher-training capacity and kit inventory as funding and staffing allow.
Why it matters: PLTW is a widely used K–12 STEM curriculum that requires teacher certification and materials; a phased rollout means some classes will see PLTW lessons this year while full implementation across all grade levels will take multiple years and continued grant support.
Board members asked about implementation details and training cadence; staff said they will continue to offer multiple training opportunities and to buy kits as funds become available.