Basic Skills Science? English? Social Studies?
Should we offer Basic Skills Core classes when >X% of the students are currently failing the course? (assuming that our goal is to increase the students who leave 9th grade with the probability of graduating from high school) Basic Skills means minimum homework, effort/behavior contract, common curriculum goals.
a. if so then which classes?
b. If not a Basic Skills Core Class then what can we do to improve passing rates without watering down the curriculum for all of the students
3 Comments:
PE Dept - Good idea. Give the kids the basics. The classes should probably be one each of the core classes.
Math- many concerns, very similar concerns that were raised ealrier when discussing the "pullout idea" of struggling students within SJH: issues/questions: class size, staffing, perhaps credit retrival for 9th grade (second semester), behavior problems, criteria (just failing?), just a "dumping ground?". Lots to answer before we, as a department, could vote yes.
Jim F. says: If the number turned-off and failing kids we have in our mostly one-size-fits-all classes is acceptable....or inevitable....then no worries. If it's not, we ought to consider and try some adjustments/changes that might help them avert the bleak life that awaits them as drop outs.
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