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Cromwell board reviews two-year pilot to departmentalize grades 4–5 starting fall 2025
Summary
Administration proposed a two-year pilot to split fourth- and fifth-grade students between two teachers daily (math block and reading/writing block) with dedicated MTSS/PLT windows; the board asked about teacher communication, special-education coverage, conferences and schedule logistics and asked for monitoring.
Cromwell School District administrators proposed a two-year pilot to departmentalize grades 4 and 5 beginning in fall 2025, shifting students to two teachers per day — one focusing on math and the other focusing on reading and writing — while embedding a 30-minute personalized learning time (PLT) to coordinate MTSS and reduce missed instruction.
“As I moved in my new role... the idea began that we would have our students splitting their day. So the first 3 hours of the day would be with one teacher... and then the students have their recess and lunch switch, and then they go to a second teacher in the afternoon,” Miss Binnington said, describing the proposed schedule and instructional goals.
Administrators said the model aims to increase targeted coaching time for literacy and numeracy, allow more specialized professional learning community (PLC) work, and give students two daily adult connections. The plan reserves third grade and multi‑age classrooms from the change and includes a commitment to monitor both quantitative and qualitative data to judge success.
Board members pressed for operational details: how teachers would communicate mid-day about behavior plans, how conferences and PPT/IEP meetings would include both teachers, how substitutes would be managed, and whether the plan is cost neutral. Administration described proposed PLC scheduling, case-manager coverage for special-education students, and shared lunch/recess plans to ease transitions.
The superintendent emphasized monitoring and a willingness to reverse course if the pilot does not show benefits: administration expects to review both academic and qualitative feedback over two years and bring adjustments to the board if needed.
What happens next: Administration will share details with families before the end of the week and expects a fall 2025 start; the board will watch implementation closely and requested regular progress updates.
