During Jeff's update on curriculum, he talked about the impact of the budget cuts on the music program. A couple of key ideas here:
1) Instrumental Music will still be available to all 5th and 6th grade students. This is great- there was a lot of support for instrumental music during the discussions, so it's good to see that this is staying.
2) I need to get more detail, but Jeff mentioned that they were trying to work out some better options for kids who don't want to play an instrument. It wasn't 100% clear what this might look like (drama classes? art appreciation? music theory?) but it was great to see that we're not just flushing things away. I'll try to get more data on this and update the posting.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Curriculum Updates - Math
During the Board meeting this week, Jeff Baier provided a couple of updates on the Curriculum.
In the "Normal Update" topic: We've already discussed that the Math Curriculum is being updated this year. The pilots are going well. For those interested in looking at the materials, they are:
Scott Forseman enVision Mathematics
Houghton Mifflin (no link available)
You can also check out the materials in the district office.
One big benefit of the new math curriculum is that both texts support letting students work at their own pace foe each unit. If a child is "at grade level" for multiplication, they can do the exercises for "at level" students. However, if they are more adept at geometry, they can take on the more challenging geometry exercises.
The one concern raised about this concept of having three streams in a single classroom is that we'll need to make sure the teachers are pushing the kids and teaching across all three levels. The texts are designed with a single set of instructional materials, but different exercises. The parent who spoke up (not me) was concerned that the teachers might not push the kids to attempt the harder materials. This is definitely something we have discussed at the District Curriculum Council. We'll see how the feedback comes in from the 30+ pilot classrooms we're running.
In the "Normal Update" topic: We've already discussed that the Math Curriculum is being updated this year. The pilots are going well. For those interested in looking at the materials, they are:
Scott Forseman enVision Mathematics
Houghton Mifflin (no link available)
You can also check out the materials in the district office.
One big benefit of the new math curriculum is that both texts support letting students work at their own pace foe each unit. If a child is "at grade level" for multiplication, they can do the exercises for "at level" students. However, if they are more adept at geometry, they can take on the more challenging geometry exercises.
The one concern raised about this concept of having three streams in a single classroom is that we'll need to make sure the teachers are pushing the kids and teaching across all three levels. The texts are designed with a single set of instructional materials, but different exercises. The parent who spoke up (not me) was concerned that the teachers might not push the kids to attempt the harder materials. This is definitely something we have discussed at the District Curriculum Council. We'll see how the feedback comes in from the 30+ pilot classrooms we're running.
Updates from the Board Meeting
I attended the Board meeting Tuesday night. Key take-aways:
- As expected, the Board approved the layoff plan for all classified staff. We knew this was part II of the process. My only complaint is that they don't actually read the resolution out loud before they vote on it. If they decided to change who was affected, how would we know?
- There were a couple of Curriculum Updates, which I'll include in a separate post.
- We are now looking for 4 principals. This seems strange, given that last year we also hired 4 principals. That amounts to 100% turnover in just 2 years. There hasn't been any public discussion about this. It would be interesting to know if this has hit anyone's radar.
In the context of the budget, the admin staff has agreed to cap their benefits next year as a way of helping save money. The exact dollar amount of savings was not discussed. While any savings is good, I can't help but be a bit underwhelmed. Usually in situations like this, management sets the example by taking a greater cut than everyone else. If this is the best "management" puts on the table, it would not be entirely surprising that the LATA might take a hard line. Even if LATA makes a concession now, I will not be stunned to hear of bitter negotiations at the next contract discussion. Essentially the message this sends to certificated staff is "if you want to save the jobs of your colleagues, that's up to you."
Monday, March 23, 2009
Reminder: Important Board Meeting Tonight
All-
Just a quick reminder that the LASD Board meets tonight. At the last board meeting, they agreed to the plan to reduce certificated staff. That is generally "core teachers". Tonight they'll discuss reduction in certificated staff. Certificated staff ranges the spectrum from the secretaries in the office to, librarians and in some cases folks we think of as "teachers". Please make every effort to attend and show support for these important and valued employees.
-DJS
Just a quick reminder that the LASD Board meets tonight. At the last board meeting, they agreed to the plan to reduce certificated staff. That is generally "core teachers". Tonight they'll discuss reduction in certificated staff. Certificated staff ranges the spectrum from the secretaries in the office to, librarians and in some cases folks we think of as "teachers". Please make every effort to attend and show support for these important and valued employees.
-DJS
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Advanced Math at Egan
At the Board meeting, a couple of folks expressed concern about having ~75-100 more drop-offs at the Jr High Schools. I am aware that there have been some issues- these same folks have come to the meetings previously and asked the Board to help them. Adding more bodies at the peak time seems daunting.
I suggested to Jeff Baier that they shift the start time just for kids taking Adv Math. Those 6th graders will all be in the same sections, and their classes will all start first thing in the morning. Rather than have them start at 8:12 like the rest of the school, I suggested that they start at 7:55. Their drop-offs would then be out of the peak drop-off time (giving parents like me an easier trip from Egan to Gardner Bullis to drop off my other child.) It would also create 20 minutes of prep time for the Adv Math teachers, between their 1st period and their second period class.
Jeff needs to look into some things to see if this is doable. (For one thing, it means the teacher would have to start earlier). I'd be interested in comments from folks about whether you think this is a good idea.
I suggested to Jeff Baier that they shift the start time just for kids taking Adv Math. Those 6th graders will all be in the same sections, and their classes will all start first thing in the morning. Rather than have them start at 8:12 like the rest of the school, I suggested that they start at 7:55. Their drop-offs would then be out of the peak drop-off time (giving parents like me an easier trip from Egan to Gardner Bullis to drop off my other child.) It would also create 20 minutes of prep time for the Adv Math teachers, between their 1st period and their second period class.
Jeff needs to look into some things to see if this is doable. (For one thing, it means the teacher would have to start earlier). I'd be interested in comments from folks about whether you think this is a good idea.
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