ADAMS TWP — A new program meant to increase students’ thinking will begin soon in the Mars School District.

The school board Wednesday approved the Lead to Learn program.

Superintendent Wesley Shipley explained that representatives from Lead to Learn, based in North Carolina, first will do an evaluation in all schools to determine where students and teachers are regarding higher order thinking.

A long-term plan will then be developed that will be used for professional development sessions, Shipley said.

He said Lead to Learn also will assess the district’s technology and work with the newly named technology coaches appointed in the district.

“They are not coming to bring new curriculum,” Shipley said. “It’s all about making minor changes to our philosophy on how we engage students in their learning.”

The district administrators will be the first to be trained in the Lead to Learn methodology.

According to leadtolearn.com, the company helps administrators and coaches become educational leaders who are trained to identify and promote highly effective classroom methods that increase student achievement.

The process will be used in all grades.

The cost will be $27,000.

“It’s really going to make some drastic changes in our children’s approach to thinking,” Shipley said.

He hopes to get the project started in November.