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the Challenge g n i t e e M Mother of Sorrows School 3264 Evergreen Drive, Murrysville PA 15668 Next Generation Science and Technology For More Information Call 724-733-8840 www.mosschool.org Comprehensive Special Education and Therapy Services For Children Ages 3-8 With Autism Or Other Special Needs THREE LOCATIONS: CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP 8057 Rowan Road, Cranberry Township, PA 16066 · MURRYSVILLE · BALDWIN Contact us for information about our programs and services for children and adults with disabilities Call: 412-281-7244 ext.1269 Email: [email protected] Visit: www.eastersealswcpenna.org 14 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE ❘ icmags.com Education Special Section “The way students learn, share ideas, get access to content, create, and collaborate is fundamentally different,” says Anthony Salcito, vice president of worldwide education at Microsoft. “Their mindsets are different, and the workplaces we are preparing them for are different, so we have to recognize there has been a lot of change. What we’ve now got to do at a system level, the institution level, is not only embrace that change but use it in a purposeful way to drive a different dynamic in classrooms.” Experts believe that the human psychology of learning has seen little change over time, but external factors, including the digital revolution, have unstoppably shaped the way in which we learn and teach. Technology has brought about exciting and innovative ways for personalized learning and novel approaches for teachers to address gaps in learning processes. Yet one constant remains in education, and that is the critical role of teachers. Human interactions are undoubtedly crucial both inside and outside of the classroom. The inspiration and support provided by teachers is what can make a student successful, even if that student is provided all other tools and opportunities needed to succeed. PRESCHOOL EDUCATION If you’re interested in potentially taking on the cost of a second mortgage, look no further than sending your child to preschool. When seeking out the program that is right for your child, many considerations are taken into account including safety, cost, location, teacher credentials, accreditations, and how each of these will meet your child’s individual needs. Once thought of only as daycare, preschools are shaping their early education programs to mold even the youngest of students for future success. Across the U.S., the demand for quality early learning programs is on the rise, with STEAM concepts (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) making their first appearance to students at the age of 3. Early Learning facilities are proving their worth through implementing quality metrics, investing in technologies, and by offering an array of options for curriculum- versus non-curriculum- based learning to best suit the learning style of young students. Preschools and educational daycares, a newly coined term, are implementing Quality Rating Improvement Systems (QRIS) as a standard for success in early education. The National Center on Early Childhood Quality Assurance, funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, developed QRIS as a systemic approach to assess, improve, and communicate the level of quality in early and school-aged care and education programs. In Pennsylvania, the Keystone STARS (Standards, Training/Professional Development,