Sophomore

March 22, 2010 Teacher’s Workshop Group #2 – sophomores Facilitators: Craig Campbell and Dan Hylan What’s next for the sophomore team/year? Questions/suggestions for moving forward. Lots of questions, not many answers: When can we know if heterogeneous vs. tracking will be happening? It was explained that it will have to be approved by the Program and Policy then the school board. It has not happened yet. Would Rick let the teachers know when this would be on the agenda at the Program and Policy meeting?

Can we have more prep and extend start of time line for sophomores? Change is coming; teachers would like to be involved in those changes. Sophomore waits until September 2011. Let’s see how the freshmen go.

Non Core specific staff: where do we fit on team/teams? How do we support SP ED students with heterogeneous grouping? IF a 5 period class day, then the opportunity would be there to allow for student to go outside of team. Double up on classes or to do more classes if advance student. I.e. biology 2 How do student who fail fit into the mix? Example: failed Freshman Algebra I, where on the team would that student fit in sophomore team? Concern: Heterogeneous will work in some subjects but not all. Discussed English and math for examples When/how can teachers get training for heterogeneous grouping? I.e. things like tier teaching When will teachers have time to develop team approach before actual implementation? Need to know what is happening so planning can be done –teacher do not wish to go and plan for heterogeneous grouping and then be told a few months or a year from now, it will not be going that way. Science would like to know what they are getting ready for. No lab period next year changes things.

“We need somebody to make a decision” Is teaming and heterogeneous grouping the only way to get where we need to be? Advantage of team idea is that teacher’s will have common students and common planning periods. That would be a good idea.

Is there room for department difference? Example: Within a team could it be heterogeneous in math but not in English? English discussed that given the tracking has worked better then heterogeneous. Having levels make more since for English. They have tried and found that heterogeneous does not mean higher scores, but have better social growth. With Read 180 in place, it would be tracking. Why do the team approach/heterogeneous grouping need to go beyond grade 9?

Asked about the running of next’s year’s schedule. It is on hold. Summary of meeting: time issue, When and if it will be Heterogeneous grouping, frustration and/or guidance is lacking.