VHS Programming Committee – July 9, 2014

1. In an ideal world, all students would possess equal aptitude and equal motivation.  But in public schools, this is not the case. - Walt Gardner, To Track or Not to Track?

2. VHS Programming Committee – July 9, 2014 Table discussions - questions 2014-15 HS Schedule Process/Results What did we learn from our reading? Recommendations – HS/Admin Recommendations – Group Next Steps Review of previous meeting/information

3. 2014-2015 HS Scheduling Process/Results • Began Dec. 2013 with development of courses • Student choices made Jan – Feb • CSE meetings held Jan – Feb • Building process began March – evaluating courses/enrollments • April 30 – May 15 = 10 separate runs, each at 100’s/1000’s iterations • Final course run = 63% fully scheduled; 98% required courses fully scheduled

4. Conflicts • Italian 3 • Lunch (11/12) • Freshman Writing • Chemistry H • Chemistry • AP Physics • AP English • Coll. Stats • Pre-Cal • Physics • US History H • AP US History

5. Articles • More Rigor, Not More “Honors” – Mell Riddle, NASSPBlogs.org • School districts move away from honors classes in favor of AP courses – Kevin Sieff, The Washington Post • To Track or Not to Track – Walt Gardner, Education Week • Advice From a Dean of Admissions on Selecting High School Courses – Tanya Abrams, The New York Times • What jumped out at you? • Agree/Disagree?

6. Table Discussions • Based on what we read, what do you see as the necessary outcomes of the student high school program? • How do we adjust our program to meet those needs?

7. Recommendations – HS/Admin • Tiered Programming • Continual Challenge Growth • 9th Grade – All Regents • 10th Grade – Honors • 11th Grade – Advanced Placement • 12th Grade – College

8. Recommendations - Group

9. Next Steps • Next meeting – August 11 at 6:30pm • Discuss Community Presentation for September meeting