What is Expeditionary Learning?

During my campaign I have been talking a lot about innovative education models. This means using cutting-edge technology and integrating it into the curriculum. It means having schools that are designed for 21st Century education--with small group discussion space, teacher work space, and well-equipped science rooms. It also means forward thinking curricula. And the example I use to explain what an innovative curriculum can look like is expeditionary learning.

Expeditionary learning is a project-based curriculum where students complete fieldwork and research to produce a professional-style project. For instance, a recent expedition at King Middle School was called Portland by the Numbers. The students collected data to answer the question: How do kids rate the livability of Portland? They presented there findings, gathered through interviews and analysis, to city officials.

Expeditionary learning is now at place not only at King Middle School, but also Casco Bay High School, and the East End Community School. And all these schools have successes to share. At King, for instance, English Language Learners and special education students have been mainstreamed into regular classes. Also, student involvement in extracurricular activities and sports has increased. At Casco Bay students are testing well above state averages, and are now being offered opportunities to take college courses. In other words, expeditionary learning works.

If you would like to find out more about expeditionary learning and the possibilities it presents for our schools, please visit portlandschools.org and follow the links to the individual schools. Hopefully, you will find yourself as excited by the achievements of Portland's learners as I am.

Expanded Early Childhood Education at Reiche

Is it time to develop a Preschool program at Reiche? How about full-day Kindergarten?

The benefits to the community of Early Childhood education cannot be doubted. A community with Portland's demographics, with many students from transient family situations and large numbers of English Language Learners, would especially benefit. Early Childhood programs increase student achievement, reducing the likelihood of grade retention or placement in Special Education and increasing the probability of graduation from high school. Investing in Early Childhood programs pays dividends well into the future and throughout the community.

What about the costs? Studies show that the long-term financial benefits are many. Spending on strong early childhood education leads to lower costs related to remedial services, criminal justice spending and welfare costs. Not to mention the savings associated with developmental issues that are decreased with strong Preschool and full-day Kindergarten.


Reiche might be positioned to be the right school to begin expanding Early Childhood programs in Portland. It is currently operating under capacity and has a flexible open design. This creates a situation where a small program could be integrated with relatively little cost. As such, if School Committee decides to begin the measured process of expanding Early Childhood education, it should consider Reiche as the place to begin. It would benefit not only the Reiche community, but all the families of Portland.