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Programming Proposal
Why Change?
Review requested by parent and staff members on strategic planning team (2009) Concern that not all students had access to exploratory and elective options Curricular Changes Ongoing concerns that programming among middle schools varied too widely
Reading course differences Intervention differences Foreign language intro differences Art & Career and Technical Education (CTE) differences
Tonight
Rationale for Program Change The Process and Goal Development The Proposal (with working definitions) Sample Schedule Primary Differences Concerns and Benefits Preparation for April 22 Work Session
Began revision options & discussions with middle school principals (principals shared ideas at their discretion with staff) Developed goals
Goals
Consistent instructional program (core, electives, and exploratory) among FCPS middle schools Increased instructional time for core areas: language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science
Current core course length: 48 minutes Goal: core course length: at least 60-65 Thirteen more minutes a day will give students one hour+ more of instruction per week in the core areas.
The full range of exploratory offerings provided for all students Maintain student teaming when possible, most important in 6th and 7th Foreign language exploration for all students prior to high school credit course Extended time for high school foreign language instruction Input Technologies (keyboarding) for every student Ability for music students to take other electives Ability to provide remediation/intervention at multiple points during the school day Ability to offer approved "local choice" options for schools Reduction in the size of PE classes
Developed a final concept proposal, presented to principals in Jan.-Feb. 2013 February-March 2013: shared concept with counselors; related arts teachers Continued to refine the concept based on input Provided preview to the board & continued to take input Presentation to Board, April 2013.
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Working Definitions
Core Period: time during which Language Arts, Math, Social Studies and Science are offered Encore Period: time during which PE, Music, Foreign Language and Exploratory Wheel courses are offered Exploratory Wheel: a series of required courses taken in six-week segments in 6th and 7th grade Elective: a student-selected course, such as music and foreign language; in 8th: art, music, foreign language, or other CTE in 8th grade Local Choice: a class offered on the exploratory wheel or as an elective developed and selected at the local school level from a division-approved list. These choices are based on staff availability and interest, as we do now.
SIXTH GRADE
All 6th graders take Language Arts; Pre-Alg. : Course 1 or Pre-Alg. : Course 2; US History II; and Science 6 [60-66 minutes] 6th graders have two (2) "Encore" Periods [ 54-62 min.]
Music students take music and PE on an alternating day schedule during one of these periods Non-music students take PE every day during one of these periods During the other period, all 6th graders (music and non-music) take keyboarding, art, family and consumer science (FACS), Tech Ed, foreign language exploration, and a "local choice" in six week rotations.
Local choice courses may be: intervention sessions, special education resource sessions, fitness, agriculture, drama, STEM Exploration. Others may be possible. Year one of implementation will determine what can be offered and approved.
SEVENTH GRADE
All 7th graders take Language Arts 7; Pre-Alg: Course 2 or Algebra 1*, Civics/Econ; Life Science 7 [60-66 minutes] 7th graders have two (2) "Encore" Periods [ 54-62 min.] Music students take music and PE on an alternating day schedule during one of these periods Non-music students take PE every day during one of these periods During the other encore period, students electing to begin formal study of foreign language take foreign language (semester) and three exploratory courses; students not electing to take foreign language take Computer applications, art, FACS, Tech Ed, and two local choice options in six week rotations. Local choice courses are the same offered in 6th grade.
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EIGHTH GRADE
All 8th graders take Language Arts 8; Pre-Alg.: Course 3, Algebra 1, or Geometry; World Geography; Physical Science [60-66 minutes]
8th graders may continue to elect to take music:
Music students take music and PE on an alternating day during one elective period Non-music students take PE every day during one elective period
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Core 1 7:30-8:36 66
Core 2 8:39-9:45 66
Core 3 9:48-10:54 66
Lunch 10:5711:22
Core 4 11:25-12:31 66
Encore 2 ** 1:31-2:25
25
54
54
Core 1 9:24-10:29 65
Lunch 10:3210:57
Core 2 11:00-12:07 67
Core 3 12:10-1:16 66
Core 4 1:19-2:25 66
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Period 1 7:30-8:32 62
Period 2 8:35-9:37 62
Period 5 12:18-1:20 62
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*According to the FCPS web site, middle schools begin the day at 7:30 am and end at 2:25 pm for a total of 415 minutes. This sample schedule allows 18 minutes for six 3-minute transitions, plus a lunch period of 25 minutes.**approximately 7 minutes longer than current exploratories *** approximately 16minutes longer than current electives
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Core 4 11:13-12:15 62
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Core 1 9:40-10:42 62
Core 2
10:4511:15
Core 2
11:4412:16
Core 3 12:18-1:20 62
Core 4 1:23-2:25 62
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25
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Period 1 7:30-8:32 62
Period 2 8:35-9:37 62
Lunch 11:5012:15
Period 5 12:18-1:20 62
Period 6 1:23-2:25 62
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*According to the FCPS web site, middle schools begin the day at 7:30 am and end at 2:25 pm for a total of 415 minutes. This sample schedule allows 18 minutes for six or seven transitions, plus a lunch period of 25 minutes. **approximately 15 minutes longer than current exploratory/elective periods
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Current Schedule
Core Subjects : ~45-49 minutes Non-music students take IT*/keyboarding CTE courses - different lengths (4, 6, 9 wks) 7 or 8 period day Music in 7th and 8th daily PE for music students, daily High school foreign language 1 yr
Remed./Inter./ Enrich . period
Proposed Schedule
Core Subjects : 60 minutes or more All students take IT/keyboarding All CTE courses six weeks 6 period day Music in 7th and 8th on alternating day PE for music students, alternating day High school foreign language 1.5 yr
Remed./Inter./ Enrich . for
-- ALL
*IT=input technologies
Primary Differences
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Concerns
Reduced instructional time for music Reduced instructional time in PE for music students Reduced instructional time in exploratory classes (9 weeks to 6 weeks
for some)
Insufficient time for implementation Will require transitional adjustments: accommodate changes in IT/keyboarding and foreign language; professional development; staffing adjustments; on-going adjustments with new implementation.
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Concerns -- Comments
Music teachers will not be able to cover the full content.
[music teacher in 3/13/13 meeting with S. Mitchell]
Why reduce PE time [for music students] when we are fighting a teenage obesity problem?
[PE teacher in 3/13/13 meeting with S. Mitchell]
How will they perform when they go to competition? The quality will be reduced.
[parent in music parent forum on 4/3/13]
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Benefits
Consistent programming in all middle schools Ability for middle schools to continue to have some uniqueness based on student population and staff expertise Music students no longer have to choose between music and exploratory coursework in 6th and 7th a fundamental feature of middle school Has built in opportunity for various approaches to intervention for students who need it (e.g., on-going academic help in local choice time; use
of the alternate PE schedule for high-needs students; flexibility within core time to have reading specialists, math specialists, special education teachers and assistants to work with small groups of students)
More time for initial formal foreign language study (increasing proficiency in foreign language) Increased time to deepen learning in core academic subjects
(increase of about an hour a week)
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Benefits - Comments
I have both A/B classes and non-A/B classes and I find no loss in the ability to learn and retain information in my classes, especially since most classes start with a few minutes of review. In my opinion, we need to focus on the purpose and meaning of the exploratory courses; students will be introduced to the possible subjects that will be offered to them in 8th grade through high school.. I agree with the [change] because it allows students to explore more options for their future consideration.
[ an FCPS CTE Teacher]
I would rather my child be proficient in Math and English. She is very musical, plays numerous instruments, sings beautifully, but studies come first.
[Parent, Delaplane, e-mail to S Mitchell, 2/20/13]
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