General News: School Districts Develops Advanced Curriculum
March 21, 2008
Students who are seeking an academic challenge in the seventh and eighth grades at Cornwall middle school will be able to take more rigorous English and social studies classes next year.
Cornwall schools superintendent Timothy Rehm announced earlier this week that his staff will be developing a curriculum for advanced studies in those areas to replace what had been known as the honors classes. The current accelerated math and science classes will remain in place, he said.
Earlier this month, parents expressed concern to Rehm and the school board that the honors program for seventh and eighth grade students would be eliminated. The proposed school budget includes a proposal to hire two enrichment teachers for the third through sixth grades.
Rehm also said that the district is still committed to the long-term goal of differentiated learning, where students at all levels of learning are combined in one classroom. Rehm said that training of teachers in this style has begun but that they still need to develop a level of expertise before differentiated learning could be introduced in the classroom.
“If you’re not at that point, then you have a responsibility to address the needs now of those students who seek a more rigorous approach,” Rehm said in a phone interview, explaining how the district is working to meet those needs with the new advanced curriculum that will be followed during the next school year.
Comments:
I support differentiated learning. why is it that no one complains about special services for students who require extra help to succeed, but get all bent out of shape when it comes to accelerated programs for the gifted kids.
