Good evening, my name is Patrick Kozel. Five years ago
we made a conscience decision to move here from California with the express
purpose of a more rigorous curriculum like Challenge, AP courses and higher
expectations for our children in this particular district.
We currently have a 7th grade single subject
HiCap child, a fourth grader, an EAP eligible 2nd grader and a
preschooler.
While we are relatively new to the Middle School scene, we
have quickly observed that this is a critical time when students decide where
their priorities lie, and for us, the Challenge program represents an
opportunity for these kids to begin expressing themselves, as they ultimately
must do.
Regardless of individual opinions on the Challenge issue, I
have grave concerns about the school district’s ability to implement this
change across the district starting in 2017.
As demonstrated in the HiCap survey, implementation of the
neighborhood school HiCap services was less than ideal last year.
Something we personally can attest to as well. If we are unable to
properly service these children, when it is state mandated, and there are only
one, two, maybe three students at a different level, what makes us
realistically think it can be done in an even more diverse classroom, when it
isn’t even state law?
In order to do so, what will it take, from the students, the
schools and the teachers?
What professional development is needed and at what
level?
With such a complex concept, and so many ability levels,
what training will be required and when? Is this something the teachers
can learn in a day or two, a week long, or even continuous training?
Given the difficulties with the implementation of the
neighborhood school HiCap, which is state law, what assurances do we as parents
have that this will truly service all children? What does success look
like, and how will it be measured?
Finally, a question that is always germane to any education
discussion, what will the cost of this program be?
When we have a system in place that is only four years old,
but we know works, is replacing it truly the best use of our limited funds?
No comments:
Post a Comment