More ‘tough decisions? must be made, but Clarkston school officials have now identified most of the questions to be asked about the new 6-7, 8-9 grade structure to be implemented in fall 2005.
When school officials proposed a $84.7 million bond issue in 2003, it included the premise of realigning grades as part of the plan to alleviate overcrowding and consolidate programs and staff. Sashabaw Middle School will be converted to house sixth and seventh grades, while Clarkston Middle School will become the center for eighth and ninth grades.
John Diliegghio, executive director for middle and high school education, told the board of education on March 8 of several philosophy, curriculum and scheduling issues for the new 6-7 building.
(A general report concerning the 8-9 building was given at a previous board meeting.)
Conversations with both teachers and parents have led to interesting discussions of the ‘team teaching? concept, used as a transition to the traditional high school system of separate teachers for separate subjects. Diliegghio said students are coming from elementary schools where a single class teacher is the norm. There was lots of discussion whether to keep sixth graders in single-teacher classes or in a modified team teaching setting.
‘Those are things we are exploring,? he said. ‘The overall view is to have an ‘upper el? feel to it, especially in sixth grade. Teaming can do that for you.?
In seventh grade, he said the feeling ‘is pretty much unanimous? that students need to start the traditional ‘track? system, at least in subjects like mathematics.
The issue of ‘same sex? classes ‘is probably what has generated the most discussion,? Diliegghio said. ‘It’s met with curiosity more than anything else.?
A consensus seems to exist that Clarkston should at least pilot divided classes in some subjects such as mathematics.
‘The research has shown that students really flourish in that environment,? he said, although there will be challenges in scheduling and staffing.
In adapting to the new grade and building alignment, officials have struggled with the issue of fine arts. The goal is for sixth graders to do a ‘rotation? in various fine arts subjects, but whether it will be in periods of six-week, nine-week or other time division is not yet determined.
‘The philosophy is that fine arts should be exploratory for all students, not electives,? Diliegghio said. In higher grades, then students will be able to better choose which elective courses may be right for them, he said.
Superintendent Al Roberts said there is a challenge in offering ‘exploratory [classes] with rigor? to make them educationally viable. ‘We’re not talking about fluff courses.?
Diliegghio said the converted Sashabaw Middle School will have ‘two wonderful gyms? to provide for physical education. He also said a focused reading program will be imperative at the 6-7 level to detect and help with reading problems.
Roberts alluded to some parent and teacher attitudes toward the proposed changes, saying they are working hard ‘to set aside adult concerns? and ‘do what’s best for kids.?
In response to discussion about outside physical activities (with district intramural budgets already cut), Trustee Mary Ellen McLean had a suggestion.
‘We should revisit another partnership with parks and recreation,? she said, and Roberts said discussions in that area are already underway.