BOARD CURRICULUM
COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Monday, April 15, 2002
Members of the Board Curriculum Committee met on Monday, April 15, 2002, at 6:40 p.m. in the Dining Room of the Education Center. Present were Curriculum Committee Members, William Nelson, Monty Perfetti and Ric Agretto and Board members, Craig Haytmanek, Loretta Leeson, William Heske, Charlene Koch, Margaret Williams, Julie Venanzi and Joe Craig. Also in attendance were Superintendent Thomas J. Doluisio, Assistant Superintendent Michele Kostem and Student Representative Ted Segal.
Carol Leasure, Leigh Kuenne-Rusnak and Lisa Onkotz answered questions from Board Members regarding the elementary mathematics program.
Margie Williams asked how the teachers are reacting to the changes in mathematics. She was told that with the training and research, teachers are learning along with the students.
Teachers now have more confidence in teaching the math program than when they first began two years ago. William Heske asked if the elementary students are learning to balance checkbooks. It was noted that although the specific task of balancing a checkbook is not covered in the elementary grades, students learn all the skills they need to know how to balance a checkbook by the time they leave fifth grade. In response to a question from Charlene Koch, it was noted that basic division is taught in fourth grade, with the more intense division problems being covered in fifth grade. Advanced students are given more enriched problems to work with. Loretta Leeson asked what portion of the math schedule is devoted to working with ÒInvestigations.Ó Leigh Kuenne-Rusnak responded that one hour a week is spent in this endeavor. Dr. Nelson noted that more time is spent in the beginning to introduce a new program and then eventually the schedule evens out. Mrs. Leeson asked how the elementary schools determine what students are placed in A track classes in the middle school. Carol Leasure told her that these students are placed by the middle schools, and that the elementary schools provide extensive data to the middle schools to help them with the placements. Leigh Kuenne-Rusnak told Mrs. Leeson that parent meetings and ÒMath Fun NightsÓ are used to help the parents understand the ÒInvestigationsÓ units.
Monty Perfetti, Joe Santoro, Don Harris and Neil Wetcher responded to the questions related to the middle and high school mathematics programs.
Mr. Heske expressed a concern that all students should be taught the concept of using credit cards before they leave high school. He was told that this subject is covered in the middle schools in both seventh and eighth grades and in various courses in the high schools such as micro economics, and in applied math concepts, as well as home economics, and business education classes. Loretta Leeson expressed a concern about the number of A-track middle school students that are not doing well in math and are attending the Saturday workshops offered by the District. Mr. Perfetti distributed and reviewed a chart showing the results of a grade eight mid-year mathematics assessment. The chart revealed that there was an overall increase of 41% in the number of students achieving a score of at least 70% in district-wide mathematics basic skills assessments. It was noted that even A-track students have some weak areas in mathematics basic skills, and the Saturday workshops address a different area each week. A-track students are not attending all Saturday workshops, but only one particular workshop addressing their area of weakness. Joe Craig added that the use of new assessments is showing some of the flaws that were not detected previously. He suggested that it is too soon to be alarmed, and that the curriculum be given a chance to grow. Dr. Nelson noted that on the elementary level, modifications were made to build in assessments that are used to make sure kids know the basic facts when they get to middle school. Mr. Doluisio added that we are in the process of tightening up our curriculum and providing more time and opportunities for students to learn. The new curriculum is highly supported by the teachers. In response to a question from Margie Williams, Dean Donaher reviewed results from a study showing that students involved in the core program did statistically better than those in the traditional math program. Ted Segal, student representative from Freedom High School, stated that he feels the traditional program is sufficient for upper level students. Mrs. Leeson was assured that those students currently in grades 9-12, with deficiencies in mathematics basic skills, will be addressed; and that all students will leave high school with basic skills in mathematics. Mr. Heske asked how students transferring into the District, with the traditional curriculum, will be handled? He was told that these situations will be handled student by student, based on ability. Julie Venanzi asked how students are assessed in Reading. Dr. Nelson told her the Developmental Reading Assessment is used in grades one through three, three times a year.
1. Mrs. Leeson asked if the school year will be altered because of not using all of the snow days reserved for this school year. Mr. Doluisio told her there will be no change in the school year calendar.
2. Mrs. Leeson was told that the weighing of honors courses will be discussed at the next meeting. The basic diploma will also be discussed at that time.
3. Mr. Heske requested a primer on the tests that are being used. He feels that we need to be more sensitive to the amount of testing we are involved in. He acknowledged that the PSSA tests are required, but felt some other tests could be eliminated. Michele Kostem noted that the PSSA tests include reasonable content and have a good reputation in Pennsylvania. Mr. Doluisio added that the Federal Government is requesting that more testing be done to address students with early intervention needs.
The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Minutes prepared by: __________________________________
Lynda Ruth, Confidential Secretary