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Teaching and Learning
Agenda
None currently available
Teaching and Learning Committee Meeting
February 4, 2010, 11:45 a.m
Draft MINUTES
In attendance: Rebecca Millett, Alan Hawkins, David Hillman, Kate Williams-Hewitt, Mary Townsend
- Review of World Language Presentation
The committee agreed that the World Language workshop and supporting report was excellent. It was further decided that key questions brought up during the workshop should be included in the final report. Among the questions to be included:
- Information explaining why our current language offerings were chosen (was discussed but should be in the report) . . . i.e. French, Spanish and then modified responses for Latin and Mandarin, if necessary. Why the district believes that these are the valuable languages to offer to our students.
- An explanation of why the district choose not to offer honors classes at each level (response to Mr. Hillman’s concerns).
- Additional information on any other resources/sources needed above and beyond the text books listed (Smartboards, etc).
- Information on the Latin II and III offerings, including cost, demand, and enrollment. What is the history of the Latin program, and why has Cape Elizabeth High School diminished Latin offerings over the years.
- Why is our district not administering the National Spanish (and French?) Exams in the 8th grade? If there is a cost, what was it? What kind of information would the exams provide? How long have they been excluded from the budget?
- Cape Elizabeth begins the foreign language experience at grade 3. There was an initial plan to begin at kindergarten or grade 1. Knowing that the amount of time for teaching the languages is limited in grades 3 and 4 (where language learning time is limited to one hour a week) as well as grades 5 and 6, do the teachers feel that these experiences are valuable prior to entering the more intensive language study in grade 7? Would starting a more intensive course of study at grade 7 serve a better purpose?
- Information on expenses incurred by families for AP testing should be added.
- If possible, a subheading in the budget section that includes all costs incurred that are not covered in the budget, but incurred by CEEF grants, parents, etc. should be provided. (The costs currently indicated under “other resources”.)
Also, the committee has requested that Ms. Schapani please attend the Board’s February 9th regular business meeting in order to answer any remaining questions or concerns. Mr. Hawkins will contact Ms. Schapani to request additional information be added to report and that she attend the business meeting.
- Internet coverage of Teaching and Learning Curriculum Workshops
Mr. Lanoie will meet with Mr. Hawkins and Ms. Townsend to determine the most user-friendly presentation of the Teaching and Learning Committee work for the school website. The committee hopes to break curriculum down by subject matter. Mr. Hillman commented that the current website is confusing, and that perhaps adding tab on the homepage might be useful for ease of navigation.
- Update on Guidance Workshop
Mr. Hawkins reported that the Guidance Team is working collaboratively to prepare their report on google.docs, a medium that allows each team member to enter individual comments in a pre-determined color. The Primary Goals for Guidance are currently being prepared and will be presented at the Board’s March 9 business meeting.
Ms. Townsend will email board members to survey for initial questions about the Guidance work being done K-12. The next Teaching and Learning Committee meeting will be scheduled after the board’s March 9 business meeting to allow members to prepare their questions thoroughly.
Ms. Millett asked Mr. Hawkins if he found the current process of developing goals and providing analysis to be acceptable and logical. Mr. Hawkins commented that he was pleased with the evolution of the process and that the current template allows an avenue in which teachers are able to analyze their offerings and then report to the public for informational and budgetary purposes.
It was suggested that curriculum reports remain “open” for a short period (similar to the World Language Report) after the presentation in order to allow key questions from the Board to be added prior to posting. Mr. Hillman suggested a section be provided for answers to Board questions to illustrate the collaboration between the staff and faculty and the Board publicly.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:10 p.m.
Next Teaching and Learning Committee March 15, 12:00 p.m., Alan Hawkins’ office.
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