Board advances Penn partnership, OGEP and Algebra 1 Academy to strengthen math instruction

The Allentown board moved forward three instructional investments March 26 aimed at strengthening mathematics instruction and instructional leadership across the district.

Dr. Coleman described a proposed partnership with the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education to implement a year‑long observation, feedback and coaching endorsement program, with a total district investment of $105,000 paid from a Ready‑to‑Learn allocation. "Participants will engage in a 3‑part course sequence implemented from May 2026 through May 2027," she said, adding the program will award an instructional coaching endorsement and Penn GSE credits to participants.

Coleman also requested approval to contract with the Ongoing Assessment Project (OGEP) to provide professional learning and in‑class coaching for K–8 math educators (cost $46,000, funded by Title I). She said the OGEP model emphasizes learning progressions, formative assessment probes and teacher diagnostic knowledge to identify misconceptions early.

Finally, the district proposed an Algebra 1 Academy (also developed with Penn GSE) to strengthen ninth‑grade algebra instruction across high schools; the academy would enroll roughly 30 participants and is budgeted at $105,000 (Title I / Ready to Learn funding). Coleman told the board the three items are intentionally designed to build capacity and coherence across district leadership, school leaders and teachers.

Board members asked about capacity and scale. Coleman said the Penn endorsement begins with 30 participants and will employ a coach‑cascade model so training filters down to school staffs, and administrators noted the district is one of the few in the Lehigh Valley pursuing Penn GSE partnerships. All three items were moved to the regular meeting for formal approval.