Two new schools will debut in fall 2005, but not in new buildings. Based on preliminary staff discussions, their curriculum and philosophy will have a facelift to accompany the renovated buildings.
When school officials proposed a $84.7 million bond issue in 2003, it included the premise of realigning grades as part of the plan to alleviate overcrowding and consolidate programs and staff. The current Clarkston and Sashabaw middle schools will be renovated so one building will house sixth and seventh graders, while the other will be the campus for eighth and ninth graders.
John Diliegghio, executive director for middle and high school education, told the school board Monday, Jan. 12 of questions to be asked and the timetable to be followed as curriculum development accompanies building construction.
Some of the early concepts being discussed include same-sex classes, accelerated class sequences and earlier requirements for a world language.
‘It’s just a start,? Diliegghio said. ‘There’s a lot of brainstorming and a lot of great ideas.?
The ‘brainstorming? had begun with a December meeting of teachers and administrators at the eighth and ninth grade levels. A similar committee for sixth and seventh grades was to begin their work late last week.
While Diliegghio said some of the talking points ‘could raise some eyebrows,? the intent was ‘to really start to generate some discussion among the teachers.?
While the 6-7 building will be considered as an ‘upper elementary? school, the 8-9 building will be designed to help a smooth transition to high school ? and higher academic expectations. One proposal is to have eighth graders study algebra, with ninth graders taking geometry (both one year earlier than the current sequence).
‘That’s a large leap for the teachers, and they had some comments on that,? Diliegghio said, but even state education officials have recently talked of establishing higher benchmarks in math.
‘While I think it is raising the bar, it’s not being unrealistic to expect Clarkston kids to be able to do algebra in the eighth grade,? Superintendent Al Roberts said.
Citing research in the differences in how boys and girls learn, Diliegghio said same-sex classes are being given serious consideration.
‘We’ve had some personal testimony from teachers in other districts? with experience in boys-only and girls-only classes, he said.
In addition to the possible requirement for a world language in eighth grade, Diliegghio said computer science should be ‘fully integrated? into the curriculum at the 8-9 level. There must also be discussion on how to handle requirements in fine arts, physical education and health.
With more emphasis on career planning and development, some have suggested a model of block scheduling and special courses similar to that offered at the Oakland Science, Math and Technology Academy.
Diliegghio said a major change of philosophy will be to emphasize high school-style ‘credits? for eighth graders, since there is an ‘age-old problem? of eighth graders not worrying about formal credits and being unprepared for high school work.
‘Well, they’re going to have to worry about it now in eighth grade,? he said. ‘We’re going to take a look at how we move students from eighth to ninth grade. We want to make sure they’re credentialed and, if they’re not, how do we remediate that.?
Some of the same questions need to be asked about the 6-7 building, Diliegghio said, with the need to recognize the ‘upper elementary? focus.
Some of the unique questions will involve the balance of ‘team teaching? with some folks? desire to have a single-teacher sixth grade classroom. Areas such as fine arts should have a more ‘exploratory? focus, and required reading classes will be considered.
Emphasizing the early stage of discussions, Diliegghio said the committees will float their proposals to central administration and parent groups by May, then streamline the proposal for full board consideration in November or December.
Board President Karen Foyteck said the board should get copies of the May draft proposal before it goes to parents.
‘We’re likely to get questions, and I don’t want to be uninformed when a parent says, ‘I went to a presentation? and I have to say, ‘I don’t know a thing about it,?? Foyteck said. ‘That would not be good.?
An interesting byproduct of the curriculum discussions will be the impact on high school curriculum. Diliegghio admitted the need to do some reevaluation there as 2005 approaches.
‘Every move you make will have a reaction somewhere,? he said.