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Beavercreek News Current Tuesday, January 6, 1998 Letter to the Editor Vicki Garrett Dr. Bickert Omitted Some Important Information |
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| What an interesting article by Dr. Bickert in the Monday, Dec. 29, 1997, News-Current regarding the middle school curriculum. It is interesting to note the article states that the process has begun to implement a program on which the Board of Education has not yet voted. | The Board's role |
| It is also interesting to note what Dr. Bickert DID NOT mention in his article. He stated there are many experts who believe grouping students of varying intellectual abilities "on a team" is a good way for all students to learn. He DID NOT mention that there are many experts who believe that students SHOULD be grouped in classes according to ability levels for optimum learning by all students. A 1992 article by Fiedler, Lange and Winebrenner titled. "Unraveling the Myths about Tracking, Ability Grouping and the Gifted" indicates the "heterogeneous grouping may have negative side effects on both the gifted students and on others in the classroom." My concern is not so much for the gifted students as it is for the students whose self esteem and desire to learn will suffer because there are one or two students who always know the answer. | see also Grouping Examined |
| How interesting to read that "Lessons are planned and prepared so that one lesson is taught to the entire class while meeting the individual needs of each child." (Translation: One size fits all.) How is this possible when one student is ready to study "Tne Scarlet Letter" while another student is still struggling with basic sentence structure? According to Dr. Bickert, "the teacher weaves the individual goals into the classroom content and teaching methods. The content and teaching methods are the vehicles by which the teacher meets the needs of all the students." It will be interesting to see the method in action. Of course, There will be teachers who are "specially prepared for assignment to the middle grades" who will possess this magic. The teachers will be trained in these "new" teaching techniques. Does Beavercreek have the funding to provide this training? What areas will suffer when these funding needs have to be met—the special needs area, textbooks or pay increases for teachers and staff? | see Differentiated Instruction |
| Dr. Bickert states: "Research demonstrates that this procedure for placement has been implemented in exemplary middle schools across the country." How interesting that Dr. Bickert DID NOT mention that these schools spend $1,000 to $2,000 or more per student than Beavercreek schools have available to spend. Does this indicate the need for more taxes to "keep the creek flowing" or will our children be asked to participate in more fund raisers? | see Middle School Results |
| Dr. Bickert describes this as a "cutting edge" curriculum that was approved and accepted from community recommendations from the PRIDE survey. The parents with whom I have spoken do not remember being told that the middle school curriculum and class assignments would reflect the same structure as the elementary grades. In fact, this is the first most parents have read about the changes the curriculum department wants to make for the middle schools. The "Bridge Builder" and the "Middle School Transition" pamphlet, which was handed out at the Popcorn Festival does not address the specifics of the curriculum at all. In fact, I wonder why the the transition pamphlet was not sent home with students the first or second day of school so parents would have been aware of some of the changes. | PRIDE Recommendations and the Middle School Concept |
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There are many unanswered questions about the changes in the middle
school curriculum.
There is much research in favor of ability grouping that was
not presented to the Board of Education by the curriculum department.
The curriculum department does not seem
to be presenting a balanced view to the Board.
I hope the Board will carefully review the information sent to them by
many concerned parents who do not want to see the Beavercreek school system
become just another average system.
Perhaps we need to look to Bellbrook, which has a middle school structure
without the "middle school" curriculum because Bellbrook felt this
watered-down approach did not meet the needs of
their students or their community.
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Unanswered Questions |