When USD 290 was selected as one of the schools for redesign by the state a couple years ago, district officials immediately went to work to come up with some new ideas that would fit the state’s blueprint of redesign. At the high school level, an open hour at Ottawa high school, drop schedule at the middle school and standards based grading at the elementary schools. Superintendent Doctor Ryan Cobbs says so far, so good.
He adds that some high school teachers and staff will visit a school in Omaha soon that takes the open hour concept to a new level in allowing students more freedom guide their own education.
