eSpark, a supplemental elementary education tool, recently showcased Utica Community Schools as a leader in utilizing the platform to support student achievement. eSpark invited school districts from across Michigan to UCS to learn more about how our team works with the program.
“There were two main reasons we wanted to highlight UCS to other districts,” espark Director of Customer Success, Elizabeth Birkovitz, said. “One was the district’s strong implementation; the other was the recent Amplify CKLA rollout.”
Amplify CKLA (Core Knowledge Language Arts) was introduced this school year as the Language Arts curriculum for UCS students in kindergarten through 5th grade.
“We really wanted to highlight this for other districts for them to envision how eSpark could support their core curriculum initiatives they have in place,” Birkovitz added.
UCS has utilized eSpark since 2012 for kindergarten through 3rd grade students and has had great success with the tool.
“The data shows that when our students are using eSpark, they have improved achievement in NWEA growth,” said Catherine Einhaus, Executive Director for Elementary Curriculum and Programs.
Elementary teachers typically utilize eSpark during their small group, skill based time. For instance, while the teacher is meeting with students to work on their skills, the rest of the class is able to work independently with eSpark during that time. Most students work on eSpark three to four times a week.
“We have strong usage from students, our teachers love it, and we have seen academic growth because of it – eSpark is a win-win for us,” said Einhaus.
eSpark can be accessed by students at home, and Einhaus wants UCS parents to know that the platform meets their child where they’re at academically.
“It provides students with the appropriate activities at their level that is going to help support their literacy development. For our students who are our earliest learners, it’s going to emphasize their letter recognition and letter sounds, and for our students who are older and more proficient, eSpark will help them with their comprehension and fluency.”
