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Parents Weigh In On Middle Schools
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Some teachers said they would like more time built into their daily schedules to help students; others sought less parental interference with the placement of students.
Opposing views were common at the forums, said Jody Silvio, assistant to the associate superintendent for curriculum and instruction.
For example, the issue of student placement or grouping -- a controversial subject nationally -- drew opposing views. Some parents support mixed classes, while others think students of differing academic levels should not share the same class.
Cordell Terry, a teacher at White Oak Middle School, said student placement has been an issue in his classroom. When an unprepared student enrolls in a class too advanced for him or her, it's hard to teach, he said.
"It really hurts the kids if they're not ready," Terry said. He added that parent recommendations sometimes can wrongly influence placement.
A steering committee composed of school officials, staff members, parents and students is in charge of the reform initiative.
The committee has developed seven project teams to focus on different aspects of middle school education, which include professional development, curriculum, extended learning opportunities, technology, organizational structure, human resources and parent and community engagement.
At the community forums, small break-out sessions on each topic allowed parents and educators to talk in an intimate setting. Meanwhile, school administrators typed notes that were projected onto a screen. Data from the notes will be gathered and included in a report that will be released this fall for additional public comment, Ferrell said.
Officials will use the comments to create policies that will be presented to the school board next year.
Policies recommended by the task force are to be rolled out in five schools in the 2007-08 school year.
Reforms would then be implemented at all county middle schools in the 2008-09 school year.
Blair said she plans to remain involved throughout the reform process. She has two other children who will be in middle school soon.
"I just want to make sure they are challenged," she said.
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