Wednesday, March 14, 2001
The board, school administrators and a consultant discussed the future of the school district.
By MARY LEE THORNDIKE
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
CHAMPION -- Educators met Monday to exchange ideas about the future of Champion schools.
The superintendent, board members and principals of the elementary, middle and high schools met with Dr. John Robertson, director of instructional research at Kent State University Trumbull Campus, during Monday's school board meeting.
Robertson challenged board members to think about what they'd like to see in the future of education, adding that there are no bad answers.
"It's not a plan but a vision," Robertson said.
He wants to see that all students are educationally prepared for post secondary education. Board Chairman Linda Ashelman noted that what prepares students today won't prepare them tomorrow.
Classic curriculum: Board member Jack Mahan noted that he'd like to see wood shop and some similar training classes returned to the curriculum. They were cut to make room for computer courses. He said that the increase in state graduation requirements is putting a crimp in the Trumbull Career Technical Center students' ability to learn the trades they went there to learn. So much time is spent preparing for proficiency tests and state requirements that there isn't enough time for the other subjects.
Superintendent Pam Hood noted that some students don't want to go on to college and don't want the more advanced courses while they're in high school, but later they change their minds. Then they need those courses that meet college entrance requirements.
Other suggestions for the schools included having smaller classes, finding ways to get children out more into the community which would then bring the community into the schools, and holding year-round classes.