Patrons speak out on tech school

By Nate Smith, Staff Writer

May 08, 2008 10:30 pm

— ELNORA — North Daviess administrators held another public forum Thursday to answer questions about the high school’s proposed changes to a 21st Century learning, or “New Tech” model.
The first few questions were more comments against the proposed curriculum, but in the end those for and against were talking and learning about the curriculum.
In the first hour of the two-hour meeting, junior-senior high Principal Jed Jerrels, Superintendent Robert Bell and Technology Coordinator Todd Whitlock were looking for questions on the proposed move to create a project-based learning environment. Instead, they heard from its detractors.
Odon Town Councilman Tom Noble said he was compelled to come to Thursday’s meeting because of the complaints he received.
“When I’ve got a hole on Main Street the size of a swimming pool and more people are calling me about this,” Noble said, “it’s probably a situation that needs to be addressed.”
Noble gave his concerns about the move, including teachers grading students for effort. He said the grading system reminds him of the current grading rubric used at Stanford University. He felt there was too much subjectivity for grades in high school.
“I cannot believe that effort and participation are not strictly based on the opinion rather than a printed copy of a test,” Noble said. “That is great if every teacher was of a certain level and ability to grade but I think the subjectivity in this level is not practical.”
Doreen England, who has children in elementary school, said her child would be failing in a group-based environment if the child does not have England’s help at night.
“He has no socialization skills, he know’s he’s different.” England said. “If you put him in a group-based setting where the other children decide what his grade is, he will be ruined through life.”
She also said there were other parents that were looking to send their children to other schools if the curriculum was implemented.
“I’ve got a for sale sign in my yard,” one audience member said after England’s comments.
Shannon Meadows, a mother and a worker at North Daviess, said during the meeting that Bell called her into his office to convince her about the curriculum.
“He said, ‘Do you know what any of your kids’ teachers are doing in their classes today?’” Meadows said. “I said, ‘No.’ He said, ‘They are doing project-based learning.’”
Meadows said she was still skeptical.
“Although my kids work on projects it is not part of their curriculum,” Meadows said.
The forum got so heated that North Daviess School Board member Bud Woodruff asked for civility.
“I’m one of five men who have to make the decision,” Woodruff said. “I’m not getting out of this meeting what I need to. They need a chance to answer questions.”
After Woodruff, there were more questions than comments about the curriculum. Doug Daugherty asked what classrooms would have to be changed to accommodate the new tech change. Jerrells said several classrooms have temporary walls that can be removed for the combined classrooms the curriculum calls for.
Daugherty also asked about the cost. Whitlock said the initial cost for access to the new tech “portal” would cost $150,000. Whitlock also said the state could reimburse the school some of those costs if more schools enter the new tech program.
Also, the school will pay $70,000 for teacher training in the new curriculum. A trainer will come to the school nine times a year to help teachers learn the new system. The school will also pay for training, at a lower cost, for two more years.
Randall Cornelius asked administrators about their own concerns about the program. Jerrells said he thought about implementing the new tech curriculum in grades seven through 12, but changed his mind and will only ask the board to keep the program in grades nine through 12.
Jerrells outlined his proposal in an e-mail to teachers on May 1. His plan for the 2008-2009 school year would be to combine the language arts and world history classes and have them learn in the project-based system.
There were those that supported the new program, including current and former teachers at North Daviess. One parent, Anita Gingerich, gave emotional remarks about the curriculum change. She said people have to work in groups.
“It’s our job as adults to work together to get a job accomplished,” Gingerich said. “And we need to teach our children to learn to get along and stand up for that other kid that is getting picked on.”
Gingerich, through tears, mentioned her sixth grade son who she said helps others. She said she was against the curriculum at first but is changing her mind after her own troubles in the workplace.
“Maybe if I was taught to work together as a group no matter what kind of differences, we could pull together,” Gingerich said.
There was more understanding towards the end of the meeting, at least from one parent. England said after coming to the meeting Thursday, she understood more about the curriculum.
Also at the meeting were members of the Old Order Amish community. Bell said after the meeting there are few Old Order Amish in the High School, they have reached out to the community.
“If they decide to stay in the high school, we send laptops home with the families,” Bell said.
The board is set to vote on the proposal later this month.

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