1983-09-27 School Committee Minutes

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205. READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 27, 1983 education of the gifted and talented in Reading, the makeup of which would be approved by the School Committee at the next meeting. Volunteers for the Committee were requested to contact Dr. Wells by the next day. Reading Memorial High School - Review of Policies Acting Chairman Philbrick noted that one of Dr. Wells' goals was examining the quality of education in Reading in light of recently published National reports. In conjunction with this goal the School Committee will hear a series of reports on policies, rules and regulations, the first of which would be during this meeting as they reviewed High School policies with Principal D'Orlando. Dr. Wells added that the High School would be the starting point and the Committee will work down through the junior high and elementary school levels, reviewing all areas which have been cropping up in the National reports. He said that while he was unaware of anything negative in Reading, the School Committee wants to leave no stone unturned. Mr. D'Orlando distributed copies of the Student Handbook and grading policies. He noted that RMHS policy on eligibility for sports is pretty much dictated by the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) (page 16 of the Handbook), but that the High School does have its own rules, which go a bit further than those of the MIAA. There was a general discussion of eligibility for extra - curricular activities, whether they were restrictive enough, and parental responsibility in this area. Mr. D'Orlando noted that 526 of the 1+00- member student body were now participating in interscholastic sports (he expects that figure may go to 700 by year -end), and in excess of two - thirds are A -B students. Promotion and graduation requirements were discussed next. Mr. D'Orlando said that the High School regulations had been tightened six years ago and students are now expected to earn a minimum of 20 credits per year - sum total of 84 for graduation. He added that most students are able to earn this amount of credits before their senior year. He also noted that there may be some changes before the end of the year, and that there is no such thing as a "social promotion." School Committee questions centered around the percentage of students taking various subjects, which courses are mandatory, course selection, honors courses, and college admission requirements. Speaking on the subject of homework requirements, Mr. D'Orlando said that, although the "Nation at Risk" report recommends increasing the amount of homework, there is a wide spectrum of students in the High School and the capabilities of the various students must be kept in mind, as well as the types of courses they are taking. In general, he said, a minimum of one -half hour per major subject is expected, adding that over 90% of the students take five major subjects. Either homework is checked, or a quiz is given on the material. Attendance was the next area of discussion. Mr. D'Orlando said that if a student misses a certain number of classes he does not pass, adding that absenteeism averages only 4.2 /,. An aids:, CU-11s the home when an absence is and a letter .1+-, sent to parents, but there is a problem with a small number of chronic offenders.