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River's Edge students and teachers showcase 'Fusion Learning' pilot to Richland School Board
Summary
River's Edge High School students and teachers described a year-long, single-teacher 'Fusion Learning' pilot that they said reduced stress, improved grades and social skills; board members praised the results and discussed possibilities for expanding the model to neighborhood high schools.
River's Edge High School teachers and students presented the board with an overview of a new Fusion Learning pilot, describing a model in which students remain with the same teacher for an extended block of time and complete a mix of in-class and at-home work.
At the board meeting, a teacher introduced the program and the students, who said the predictable schedule and fewer transitions helped them focus. “This works for me because it forces me to communicate not in a way that makes me feel uncomfortable, but in a way that makes me feel connected with my peers,” a student presenter said, attributing improved academic performance and reduced confusion to the program's structure. Another student told the board, “I get a lot more accomplished in this program than I did any other year in high school.”
A parent who spoke during the recognition portion said the program had “shifted the trajectory” of her son, reporting higher grades and confidence. Teachers described community partnerships with Habitat for Humanity and the Benton Conservation District; board members asked about scalability, staffing and credit structures. Board members agreed the teachers' passion and the program's small size made it effective now, and discussed options for replicating the model, including a halftime model to allow neighborhood high schools to offer similar options.
The presentation also described weekly community volunteering and project-based learning tied to local needs, and noted the pilot currently enrolls 24 students with capacity for one more section in future years. Board members and the superintendent praised staff and called for follow-up on whether the model could be offered in other high schools if staffing and interest permit.
The board thanked the students, parents and teachers for the presentation and invited further updates on outcomes and any plans to expand the pilot.
