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Flint Hills Learning Center reports new curriculum, steady ESL and citizenship classes
Summary
Presenters at the Emporia Board meeting said a new curriculum and Capturing Kids' Hearts practices have increased student engagement and grades at the Flint Hills Learning Center; adult ESL attendance remains steady and the center now offers citizenship classes in English and Spanish.
Justin Sargent, director of the Flint Hills Learning Center, and teacher Karen Sargent presented program highlights to the Emporia Board of Education.
Sargent said the center adopted a new curriculum this year that staff report has "increased the rigor and increased the student engagement" and led to higher grades; presenters said students responded positively to learning note-taking routines. Staff also described ongoing practices from Capturing Kids' Hearts, daily greetings and affirmations that they say help teachers notice students' needs early in the day. Teacher Karen Sargent said the change has already produced measurable outcomes — "So we already have seven graduates," she said — and praised the curriculum as "amazing for our program."
The presentation noted steady attendance in adult English-as-a-second-language classes, a culinary-arts elective offered with the migrant-education program, and a new citizenship class taught in English and Spanish; presenters said one student already completed naturalization and three more are working toward it. Board members asked for a rough split between morning and evening attendance; presenters said evening participation has increased this year.
Board members acknowledged the program's community engagement, including students meeting with a mall manager to discuss events and retail options. The board did not take action on the presentation; it was received as information.
