From the Harford County Board of Education:
The Board of Education of Harford County met in an open business meeting on Monday, August 8, 2011, in the Board Room of the HCPS/A.A. Roberty Building and took the following the actions or received the following presentations:
– Received a presentation on the Greater Excellence in Education Foundation (GEEF) from Ms. Debora G. Merlock, President, GEEF
Approved the Consent Agenda:
– Monthly Report on Personnel, Tenure Recommendations (Goal 3)
– Affirmation of Monthly Contract Awards (Goal 3)
– Running Track Renovations and Repairs – Joppatowne High School (Goal 3)
Minutes of Previous Meetings:
· July 11, 2011
Decision on Appeal Case Results August 1, 2010, through June 20, 2011 (Goal 3)
Approved the Recommendations for Future Graduations.
[Note: The future graduation schedule was amended prior to approval as follows – Joppatowne HS students will now graduate at Edgewood HS, and the date for John Archer’s graduation was changed to Friday, June 1, 2011]
Discussed the FY 2013 Capital Improvement Program (CIP), Preview of Proposed CIP Request and the FY2013 Budget Request.
Received a presentation on the Policy for Prohibition of Gang Related Activities (Policy No. 02-0008-000).
– During the Superintendent’s Report, received information regarding two task forces created: one to review the high school course Living in a Contemporary World; and the other to review the World Languages program. Both task forces will report out throughout the 2011-12 school year.
Cindy Mumby says
Superintendent Tomback said publicly that the Living in a Contemporary World task force may recommend that this required 9th grade course be maintained or modified. But he also said that the recommendations would not be limited to those choices.
Seeking clarification, I asked Tomback after the pubic board meeting if the task force might recommend eliminating the course all together. His answer indicated that all options are on the table.
Dagger readers know that this course has been called a waste of time by stakeholders. This, and other criticisms of the course, was documented in an April 21, 2008 consultant’s report to the school board entitled “Bridging the Gap Between Concept and Reality”. Enough said.
Larry says
Go back and read the related stories linked above, “Student Voice” from August 2008, and “Changes Coming” from April 2009 regarding recomendations from a consulting firm contracted by the BOE in April, 2008.
Now we are going to have a task force study the course for another year? How many more years will it take before corrective actions are taken?
Has anyone ever identified a true value of this required for freshmen, yet not required for graduation, course?
Fed Up says
LCW – the bain of Harford County HS students. Stop wasting our money and teach them some valuable lessons about US government so these soon to be voters can be a little better educated! For instance – one simple visit to Independence Hall in Philly (along with a tour guide) is more than enough content for the entire school year regarding our Constitution and why it is critical to this nation. Just a thought, but LCW is DOA.
Concerned Teacher says
IIRC, LICW has been an attempt to put together a giant hodgepodge of things that people whought were important for high school students to know but no longer were taught (geography, financial literacy, contemporary issues, etc.). As I understand it, there is no set curriculum, only a sketchy outline, and teachers supplement the outline with material of their own choosing.
Years ago, some schools taught a “freshman seminar” class, designed to ease 9th graders into high school life. A good thought wasted from poor execution, LICW was born of that idea to somehow give freshmen a helping hand. Unfortunately, it also suffers from not having an identity. No one knows, apparently, what exactly students need to know in order to successfully ‘live in a contemporary world’.
As it is, with completer programs and career pathways, county requirements for four math credits (keep in mind that the state only requires three), HSA prep classes, and a host of other required courses, there is little room for flexibility in a student’s schedule. Each student entering 9th grade this year takes (as required): English 1, Government, Earth Science, a math course (this could be one or two credits depending upon the level), LICW, and Health/PE (each a half-credit). If the math course is one credit, then there are two empty slots in the student’s schedule, typically taken up with some combination of foreign language, art, or music class. If the math course is two credits, then there is only one slot available. Locking in students to the same block of classes limits social development, limits student expression, and forces students to choose in 9th grade what “career pathway” they want to pursue long before they have any business thinking about what they want to do in life. Eliminating the LICW class would be a giant first step towards restoring some choice in the life of the high school student.
Sma parent says
One of the best reasons for my kids to attend the Science and Math Academy-no LICW! Biggest waste of any 9th graders time.
kathleen murphy says
Please note the number of separations from Edgewood Middle School. What is the problem at this school? Someone needs to look into the leadership and climate of EMS and put a corrective action plan into place. This community needs consistency of educators, not a steady stream of new faces. Edgewood Middle students deserve better. I challenge the Board of Education to investigate.
suzie says
Kathleen,
I heard from a staff member at Edgewood Middle School that the principle has gone to Baltimore County. The new principal is the current Instructional Facilitator, Patrice Brown. The staff is very disappointed since she has done little to enhance the educating of Edgewood youth since her appointment. Sounds like more of the same. I really am sad for this middle school; its students, teachers, and families. When will sound educational leaders be appointed to this school?
MDK12 says
Suzie-
Please don’t generalize how all of the staff feel at Edgewood Middle School about Patrice Brown’s appointment as principal. That is a large staff. There are many staff members that are overjoyed and relieved. Having worked with Patrice personally, I am as well. She is one of the most qualified and professional leaders in the county. She has very high standards for teachers and students and a strong work ethic. She has been working hard for the students and teachers at EMS since she’s been there and I have no doubt that she will continue to do so.