2001-05-21 School Committee Minutes

Home Browse Search

Regular Session 3 May 21,2001 Mr. Twomey asked the English Language Arts Committee when they look back at last year is there anything that they thought would have been implemented that has not. Ms. Banios stated that implementation is on track and the English Language Arts Committee feels good about where they are. Vice Chair Dahl asked how integrated units are determined. Ms. Banjos stated that she works with instructional specialists in social studies and science and they come up with an agreed upon integrated piece. Mr. Twomey asked Ms. Barrios to define how differentiated learning is provided with this program. Ms. Banjos stated that although there is a common text for all children there is also a second level to the program and children are looked at on a more individual basis. Mr. Scarpitto, Mr. Howland, Mr. Doherty and Mr. Hart updated the Committee on 6-12 English Language Arts and asked for questions from the Committee. Mr. Russo asked how much the curriculum has had to change in the last few years to address the MCAS issue. Mr. Howland stated that one focus has been on writing across curriculum to assist students with responses to open-ended WAS questions. Mr. Howland stated that he admires the way Reading has said the MCAS are an important component in education but will not narrow their teaching and teach only to the MCAS test. Mr. Twomey stated that he is pleased with the curriculum team that has been put together for English Language Arts and is pleased with the objectives they articulated this evening. Dr. Harutunian stated that the MCAS is only one benchmark and ERB's and Stanford tests are other indicators used by the district. Foreign Language Mr. DiSanzo updated the Committee on the Foreign Language Curriculum and asked for questions from the Committee. Mr. Griset asked the breakdown of students between French and Spanish. Mr. DiSanzo stated that approximately three times more students take Spanish than French.