Linn-Mar School District Breaks Ties with Iowa BIG, Launches Venture Program for Project-Based Learning
MARION – In a significant move, the Linn-Mar Community School District has decided to end its partnership with Iowa BIG and create its own project-based learning program. The district’s new initiative, called the Linn-Mar High School’s Venture Program, aims to make project-based learning accessible to all high school students, irrespective of schedule conflicts or transportation barriers.
The decision to break ties with Iowa BIG was driven by budgetary concerns, according to Superintendent Shannon Bisgard. With school budgets being particularly tight in these challenging times, the district saw it as a necessary step. The Iowa BIG program cost Linn-Mar over $400,000 annually, including the provision of two teachers to Iowa BIG.
Iowa BIG, launched in 2013 in collaboration with Cedar Rapids and College Community school districts, focuses on enabling high school students to partner with businesses on projects. It offers a unique opportunity for students to acquire real-world skills such as leadership, accountability, and teamwork while earning high school credit. Over the last five years, Linn-Mar has had between 70 and 100 students enrolled in the program each year.
The new Linn-Mar Venture Program is expected to see enrollment from around 400 students in its inaugural year. The goal is to provide expanded opportunities for project-based learning to a larger number of students and integrate it into the high school curriculum. The program will introduce 10 learning tracks, covering a range of subjects including advanced business, behavioral science, environmental science, and more.
Unlike the traditional model of individual 45-minute classes, students enrolled in the Venture Program will experience a super block of multiple classes within a three-hour period. For instance, a student in the government and law track will attend a government class, law class, and college writing class, which will then culminate in a project. However, students will still have the option to take classes in the traditional format as standalone courses.
The introduction of the Venture Program comes with no additional expenses for the district, making it available to all ninth to twelfth-grade students. The district aims to ensure that all students’ learning needs are met, acknowledging that not every student learns in the same way.
Mark Hutcheson, Director of High School Teaching and Learning, emphasized the desire to provide students with a voice in their learning and the flexibility to choose projects that align with their interests. The new program aims to offer an immersive experience for students, encouraging them to explore and deepen their knowledge and skills.
While the decision to end the partnership with Iowa BIG saddened Executive Director Trace Pickering, he wishes Linn-Mar the best with their new venture. The cost of the program, previously shared among four districts, will now be divided among three. Linn-Mar’s withdrawal will certainly have a financial impact.
As Iowa BIG closes its location on Blairs Ferry Road, primarily serving Linn-Mar students, the program will continue at its long-standing location in Czech Village. There, students will continue to have the opportunity to engage in project-based learning.
In conclusion, Linn-Mar School District’s decision to launch its own project-based learning program marks an exciting new chapter for the district. The Venture Program will provide expanded opportunities for students to acquire real-world skills and deepen their knowledge. While bid adieu by Iowa BIG, the district is hopeful for the success and impact of its new venture on student learning and engagement.
