1996-05-20 School Committee Minutes

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REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 MAY 20, 1996 (tutorial) and Grade 8- Spanish Culture and Language. He added this is the first measure and hopes that this will eventually go down to the lower grades. Mr. DiSanzo said throughout Massachusetts there are foreign language programs in the elementary grades - some schools start in the 4th grade. Ms. Clifford, French/Spanish teacher at Coolidge and Parker Middle Schools, advised the outline is a condensed version of the kind of curriculum being offered. She is confident that they can do it. Ms. D'Antona expressed concern about the content of the program, the evaluation of the program, and the proposal coming forward so quickly. She could support the proposal if, we would come back in the early spring with a report and some comparisons to other communities. She wants reassurance that we are moving in the right direction for middle school students. Dr. Harutunian added that we may want to move foreign language down to grade 6 in the spring next year. He advised that there would be a report in the trimester as well as the 1997 spring. In response to a question from Mr. Twomey, Ms. Clifford stated each seventh grade student will take this course for one third of the school year. They will be exposed to the Romance Language Family and that each of the twenty lessons will be hands -on suited for middle school students. This course is to prepare students to make choices for their grade 8 experience in World Language. The Superintendent noted this is not an elective in Grade 7 - everyone is taking this course. Ms. Clifford stated the five period elective available to Grade 8 students, who are not taking the full year French 1 or Spanish 1 course, is Spanish Culture and Language. This is the foreign language most commonly being spoken. Associate Superintendent Richards added World Language Curriculum Frameworks Study Group will be coming up with a draft format in the fall. Chair Cummings suggested this would give more confidence to the eighth grader who is making a foreign language choice. Mr. Stohlman moved to endorse the World Language Proposal for Middle School as outlined in the May 14, 1996 memo. Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. Chair Cummings thanked all who were involved. The vote was unanimous, 6 -0. Dr. Harutunian asked Coolidge Middle School Principal Doherty to inform the School Committee about the Science Olympiad trip.