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Esther Scuderi, Diane Stone and Margo Barath teach at the primary level and along with Debbie Cooper, Susan Baumler and later Jody McCarty, who teach intermediate, and Barbara Stukey who is retired, pioneered the multiage program at TBE. Because it was a relatively experimental concept, it took them over five years of research, meetings and consultations to have the confidence to get approval for and institute the first multiage program in the Collier County school district.
The program, sometimes called "continuous progress," has been implemented successfully in other areas like Kentucky, New York and Canada with many different configurations. Formats are chosen based on the needs of the teachers and students. Over time, teachers and children get to know each other very well and feel like they are part of an extended family. Although testing limits and learning socially appropriate behavior is part of growing up, according to research, classroom management problems have decreased in some schools.
Research shows that children develop academic skills and understand concepts at different rates. In a multiage classroom which combines two to three grades, children are able to work at their own pace. At TBE, three grades are combined. Three teachers share the helm for each mix of primary and intermediate groups and are able to focus on an individual child's needs and give help where it is needed. The long-term relationships provide a sense of community, continuity and trust. Students are also able to interact across age groups which is how they will experience the real world when they leave school.
Typically the primary students watch a morning TV show which is produced at the school by students and then stay with their grades for writing and math. This part is not quite the multiage approach, but the program is flexible and designed to meet students needs. Later that morning, grades are mixed for language, science and social studies and kids move from room to room. In the afternoon, open learning centers allow students to work on art and computer science projects, and Legos and blocks activities.
Intermediate students also watch the morning TV show. Then they practice cursive writing and rotate to each teacher for one hour of academic studies. In the late afternoon they go back to their homeroom for medieval studies. Students work on themes such as studying the oceans and take educational trips. Recently they visited Collier County Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, and Rookery Bay National Esturarine Preserve.
"The people at Rookery Bay were surprised because the students knew most of the answers to their questions," Barath noted. "Kids studied the Everglades, estuaries then out to sea. They love this theme because that is what is here."
The theme approach encompasses reading, poetry, art, science, social studies and music. Students learn the academics by studying one topic in depth.
Research suggests that multiage students tend to have a positive self-concept, a better attitude toward school and a feeling of bonding with the group when students work together for more than one year. The setting appears to be psychologically healthy where younger and older students benefit from interaction. Although teaching styles are individual, teachers work as a team and share the same philosophy.
The multiage philosophy holds that every child has the right to learn at his own pace and on a continuum rather than a series of steps, diversity is a reality and should be embraced, and a classroom of students are a family of learners. The atmosphere is one of nurture rather than competition and encourages children to learn to be accepting of differences. Parents and teachers get to know each other which also benefits students. Also, teachers realize the child will be coming back next year, so when there is a behavior or academic problem they are more likely to deal with it now.
Returning students have less anxiety because they know what to expect and look forward to showing the ropes to younger students. They learn to work independently.
TBE teachers have helped Vineyards Elementary School teachers in Naples start a multiage program with a one and two grade mix.
"The program provides a more natural environment and world setting," Jody McCarty said. "I feel a coming trend in education."
