South Lancaster News

A joint public hearing of the Senate Education Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee reviewed the Total Experience Learning Program today, which leads students in experience-based learning activities and trains teachers in new methods to improve student outcomes.

Sen. Dave Argall (R-29) and Sen. Scott Martin (R-13) both expressed support for the mission of the program during the hearing.

“This program is making a real impact on student growth and teacher retention in Berks County,” said Argall. “Learning more about successful programs like Total Experience Learning is key as we consider how to better prepare our students for the realities of the 21st-century workforce.”

“As policymakers, our goal should be to promote new, exciting, and impactful educational opportunities for young people that encourage critical thinking and problem-solving techniques,” said Martin. “This unique and innovative program brings together educators, students, and the community to focus on hands-on learning opportunities involving complex real-world problems.”

The committees heard perspectives from an eleventh-grade student, Addy Alexander, and an English and Communications Teacher, Abigail McKay, about how Total Experience Learning changed their educational experience at the Governor Mifflin School District.

Operated by Albright College, Total Experience Learning was founded by Dr. Adelle Schade, who taught science for more than 25 years before pursuing her goal to change how students are educated.