Benchmark Enrichment Learning (BEL)

The Issaquah School District's Benchmark Enrichment Learning (BEL) Services' mission is to provide intensive intervention for students not meeting standard in reading who don't qualify for other services. The goal of the program is to accelerate learning for these students, bring them quickly to standard, and exit them from the program.

Traditionally, students not meeting standard have been tracked into remedial classes that slow down the pace of learning and simplify the content of curriculum. Though this practice of remediation is intended to allow students to catch up to their peers, research finds that remediation actually causes students to fall farther behind. Instead of a remediation model, Issaquah uses an acceleration model that provides each student with powerful learning experiences that stress complex and engaging activities and direct teaching of relevant content. Learning and skill development is accelerated, so students catch up to their peers.

The BEL service goals are met through school-designed supplemental reading programs. At elementary schools, certificated teachers provide reading support before-school, after-school or during school in a pull-out model. Student learning is aligned with the general reading program. At the secondary level, reading classes are offered. Teachers trained in reading instruction work in classes with a maximum of 20 students to strengthen reading skills.