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NEW TEACHERS RECEPTION
Thirty-four teachers new to the District turned out
for a reception at the Board's invitation, and were
then greeted in the public meeting with congratulations
on joining the Byram Hills faculty. Deputy Superintendent
Dr. Jacquelyn Taylor introduced each new teacher,
together with the administrators who had come to reinforce
their welcome. After the Board's expressions of encouragement
and support, Superintendent John Chambers declared
the hope that success with Byram Hills students would
bring these people back to the Board, in due course,
for recommendations for tenure.
WORK SESSION: Curriculum
Conversation-High School Matters
High School Principal Dr. William Donohue joined the
Board, the District administration, and members of
the public for informal conversation on various high
school curriculum matters. Two topics-the high school
grading system, and Advanced Placement (AP) course
eligibility-
In This Issue..
| New
Staff Reception |
1 |
| Work
Session: Curriculum Conversation |
1&2 |
| Business
Agenda
|
2 |
| Coming
Attractions |
2 |
| Board
Action Summary |
3 |
|
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generated considerable discussion.
The grading system at the high school dates back
twenty years or more, prompting Dr. Donohue to initiate
a review toward possible modifications. While the
faculty has only just begun this discussion, Dr. Donohue
noted some of their points of attention, such as the
difference in grade range for grades of A (where no
pluses are used) from that for Bs and Cs (where the
options include B+ and C+). Identifying several different
models for change in the grading system, Dr. Donohue
responded to questions ranging from the college perspective,
through grade distribution, all the way to prospects
for the most likely change. The conversation ended
with the understanding that the faculty deliberation
would continue, while parents and students have opportunities
to weigh in on the subject, as well. Any change would
not go into effect sooner than the 2005-06 school
year; before then Dr. Donohue will again update the
Board.
Admission to AP courses was also discussed at some
length, after Dr. Donohue described the faculty's
effort to improve the selection process whereby students
find their way into some thirteen AP courses at the
high school. Those thirteen courses presently enroll
some 436 participants in 28 sections, (with some overlap
of students taking more than one AP course.) On a
continuum of selection processes ranging from a "gatekeeper"
approach, on one extreme, to an "open
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