LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Students in Oldham County returning to class Wednesday can expect to find a renewed emphasis on technology and reading.
The Oldham County School System has 12,000 students in 10 elementary schools, four middle schools and three high schools, and this year a new superintendent has taken the reigns: Dr. William Wells.
Wells says his focus will be on improving students' reading skills, and this year teachers will be sent to what Wells is calling a reading academy. The goal is to have every student reading at or above grade level by third grade. The intense instructional program is part of a partnership with Bellarmine University.
"We know that if we provide this intense instruction for teachers to know how to teach those early fundamental reading skills, and then how to intervene if their instruction isn't working, that would help every one of our students to be successful, which is our goal," Wells said.
Wells says Oldham County Schools have also undergone a massive network upgrade to make sure every school is equipped with wireless access. Teachers are encouraged to get students to use iPads, tablets and even cell phones in their lesson plans.
"Our students live in a wireless environment when they're not with us so we're trying to engage them in the real world of technology that they live in every day," Wells said.
Elementary schools in Oldham County dismiss at 2:25 p.m. while middle and high school students are dismissed at 3:30.
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