Pennsylvania’s Phoenixville Area School District Launches New Partnership with Discovery Education to Create Digital Social Studies Lessons that Deeply Engage Middle School Students

7th and 8th Grade Educators to Receive Award-Winning Digital Curriculum and Professional Learning as Part of School System’s Effort to Build Modern Learning Environments

Silver Spring, Md. (March 28, 2019) – Pennsylvania’s Phoenixville Area School District (PASD) today launched a new partnership with Discovery Education, the global leader in standards-aligned digital curriculum resources, engaging content, and professional learning for K-12 classrooms. Through this collaboration, PASD’s 7th and 8th grade educators will receive access to Discovery Education’s high-quality, digital Social Studies curriculum and professional learning. With these new resources, district educators will be empowered to create engaging Social Studies lessons that prepare students for college, career, and citizenship.

Located approximately 20 miles outside Philadelphia, the Phoenixville Area School District is dedicated to preparing, inspiring, and graduating students to meet the challenges of the future, while serving as the educational hub of the community. To meet that mission, the district has undertaken a concerted effort to create dynamic digital learning environments that mirror students’ use of technology outside the classroom. This effort is supported by a companion PASD initiative to provide all teachers ongoing professional learning that supports the integration of new technologies and resources into classroom activities.

To support PASD’s efforts to create digital learning environments and build teacher capacity, Discovery Education is providing all 7th and 8th grade teachers access to its award-winning Social Studies Techbook. Currently used by approximately 5.6 million students across all 50 states and Canada, Discovery Education’s Techbooks are fully interactive, comprehensive digital curriculums. Updated regularly at no cost, Discovery Education’s Techbooks include detailed lesson plans, hands-on activities, digital simulations, and robust teacher supports that immerse students in instruction.

Discovery Education’s Social Studies Techbook utilizes an inquiry-based instructional approach that emphasizes informational text literacy, analytical writing, and problem-solving skills that students will apply in the classroom and beyond. Each subject area includes primary source documents and activities, digital investigations, multimedia reference library, interactive maps, and more.

“The Phoenixville Area School District believes all children have the ability to maximize their potential, and that it is the school district’s responsibility and mission to provide multiple opportunities to help each child achieve that goal,” said Phoenixville Area School District Supervisor of Curriculum Jessica Kilmetz. “The integration of the Social Studies Techbook into instruction aids our effort modernize the learning experience for our students and brings us closer to our goal of helping all students reach their fullest potential.”

To ensure the PASD educators using their new digital curriculum are fully supported throughout their implementation, Discovery Education experts will provide robust professional learning opportunities to district teachers. Through these interactive professional development opportunities, participants will learn best practices for integrating technology and digital content into teaching and learning in ways that will maximize the power of their new resources, increase student engagement in instruction, and improve students’ academic achievement.

PASD educators will also be supported by the Discovery Education Community as they transform students’ learning experiences with dynamic digital media. A global community of education professionals, the Discovery Education Community connects members across school systems and around the world through social media, virtual conferences, and in-person events, fostering valuable networking, idea sharing and inspiration.

“The Phoenixville Area School District is the latest Pennsylvania school system to partner with Discovery Education to meet their district goals, and we are honored to have been chosen to support the district’s work,” said Discovery Education Partnership Manager Doug Long. “We look forward to collaborating with Phoenixville educators at all levels on our joint mission to support the success of all learners.”

For more information about Discovery Education’s digital curriculum and resources, visit www.discoveryeducation.com, and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through Facebook, follow us on Twitter at @DiscoveryEd, or find us on Instagram and Pinterest.

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About Discovery Education:

Discovery Education is the global leader in standards-aligned digital curriculum resources, engaging content, and professional learning for K-12 classrooms. Through its award-winning digital textbooks, multimedia resources, and the largest professional learning network of its kind, Discovery Education is transforming teaching and learning and improving academic achievement around the globe. Discovery Education’s services are available in approximately half of U.S. classrooms and primary schools in the U.K. and reach over 5 million educators and 51 million students in more than 90 countries. Inspired by the global media company Discovery, Inc., Discovery Education partners with districts, states, and like-minded organizations to empower teachers with customized solutions that support the success of all learners. Explore the future of education at DiscoveryEducation.com.

Contact:

Stephen Wakefield
Discovery Education
swakefield@discoveryed.com, 240.463.2894