HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1971-11-18, Page 3att, Novombor 18, 1971 New credit system outlined,
more freedom, responsibility
-IP-
diploma; those who have com-
pleted two years (Grade 10) will
need 13 credits; and students who
have completed three years
(Grade 11), a total of six credits,
"An area of study may be
defined as a broad segment of
man's knowledge and inquiry,"
Seaman noted„ "The diploma
requirements are designed to
ensure that each student obtains
some experience in each of these
broad areas of knowledge and
inquiry while still permitting a
substantial degree if
specialization of desired."
Seaman further commented
that in Huron County, it may be
found that schools are lacking in
the types and varieties of Arts
courses offered,
STUDENTS TOUR POST OFFICE — Recently a group of grade three students form Exeter public
school enjoyed a visit to the Exeter Post Office. Above, assistant postmaster Bev Rabbetts is displaying
different types of air mail envelopes. T-A photo
educational breakthrough" since
this system has been either
partially or fully in use in many
schools‘for several years now.
Jack Seaman, Guidance Head
at GDCI, explained the four new
areas of study as designated by
the Ontario Department of
Education, They are Com-
munications, those stndies which
are primarily concerned with
man's interchange of thought and
with all modes of human ex-
pression (such as languages,
creative writing, data
processing, drafting etc.); Social
Sciences, those studies which are
primarily concerned with man's
unique nature and the spatial and
social forces which affect his
destiny and his interaction with
the environment in which he lives
(such as economics, geography,
history, marketing, world politics
etc.); pure and applied Sciences,
those studies and the skills
facilitating them which are
primarily concerned with the
properties of matter and energy
and the conditions of their
inaction, and with the application
of this understanding to the
solution of practical problems
(for instance business
machines, elements of
technology, industrial arts,
mathematics, sciences etc.); and
• Arts, these studies which are
concerned with the aesthetic
nature of man and the creative
expression of that nature (such
as art, home economics, music,
physical education, theatre arts
etc,).
A credit is defined as suc-
cessful completion of a course
containing work that normally
would be completed after 110 to
120 hours of scheduled class
study, Seaman pointed out that
on an average, this works out to
about one period daily.
For a secondary school
graduation diploma, a student
must have satisfactorily com-
pleted 27 credits on the following
basis: at least one credit from
each of the four areas of study in
each of the student's first two
years in secondary school) (eight
credits); at least one further
credit after the first two years
from each of the four areas of
study (four credits); and a
further 15 credits for a total of 27.
A secondary school honor
graduation diploma will be
granted when the student com-
pletes six credits at the Year Five
(Grade 13) level.
When the system goes into
effect next September, students
who have completed one year of
secondary school will need a total
of 20 additional credits for a
secondary school graduation
GB council
— Continued from front page
have been studied with con-
siderable thoroughness and the
results place the question of
signal subsidy in abeyance at this
time,"
In his report on the beach and
lifeguard program, councillor
Des Jardins told council, a new
resuscitator has been purchased
and is being housed at the fire
hall,
The chairman of this com-
mittee added, "If anyone has the
need for oxygen they should call
the lire number 238-2311."
The Grand Bend PUC will be
asked to have the Christmas
decorations and lights installed
by December 1.
Near the close of the meeting,
councillor Shirley Sylvester
informed council she would be
submitting her resignation at the
next meeting. It would take effect
on December 31.
Mrs. Sylvester will be
vacating the council position due
to the posting of her husband
Wayne to a Toronto position by
the Bank of Montreal.
Not new focus
Ken Lawton, South Huron DHS,
listed some of the implications of
the system.
"While this system seems to
imply a new focus — learning
skill is more important than
learning content — it is the
committee's opinion that this
focus already exists in our
classrooms," said Lawton.
He said that individual
timetables would be offered right
down to first year level (Grade 9)
and that as a result of the new
credit system, it would actually
become more easy to get a
secondary school graduation
diploma.
"This committee emphasizes
that the facilities available as
well as the student's choices will
indicate to the principal and his
staff the courses to be taught,"
stated Lawton, "Any school
lacking the necessary manpower,
accommodation or equipment
would be doing a disservice to
offer a subject even if a
satisfactory number of students
"The committee is of the
opinion, based on present student
enrollment projections, the
implementation of the credit
system should cause no increase
in capital expenditures for
equipment," added Lawton, "It
is assumed that the principals
will provide essentially the same
subjects in the future as they do
now. However, this committee
does feel that if many students
elect to take a minimum program
(only 27 credits) some schools
will be hard pressed to ac-
commodate these students in
their unscheduled time."
"It should be noted that a
student can achieve a secondary
school graduation diploma by
completing any 15 credits beyond
the 12 required credits even
though none is at the present
APPLES AT HALF-TIME — During Wednesday's Huron-Perth
Conference junior football final at the South Huron field, spectators
were able to purchase apples. Shown above are the three pretty apple
vendors Susan Decker, Beatrice Thomson and Pat Van Wiesen.
Giatle 12 level," said Lawton..
"While the schools are obliged to
strongly recommend a program
of study and inform the student.'
as to the worth of such a program
it will be the perogative of the
parent and the student to accept
or rejeet the recommended
program."
"The new greater freedom of
choice of subject imposes a heavy
burden of responsibility on the
students," continued Lawton,
"While choosing to meet their
interests, they should also choose
to meet their needs. They should
therefore consider what possible
subjects may be required for
admission to various post
secondary educational in-
stitutions,"
"Since a diploma will be less
meaningful in the future and
since transcripts of marks will
become more important,
students should be made even
more aware of the significance of
subjects taken and marks
achieved," stated Lawton.
"'Phis burden of responsibility
will be shared by parents, school
administration and in particular
by guidance department
counsellors who will find that a
much greater proportion of their
time will be spent with students
concerning subject selection,"
concluded Lawton.
There were eight recom-
mendations made to the board by
Arch Dobson and Jack Kopas.
They were:
1. That the principal and his
staff encourage students to take a
full program of studies in each
year within their capabilities and
the facilities available in the
school;
2. That the principal and his
staff offer programs of study
from the four areas of study such
that students in years one and
two may gain a basic foundation
of knowledge and exposure to
various disciplines;
3. That the principal and his
staff' offer for students in years
three, four and five, so far as
facilities allow, courses in
keeping with individual student's
needs and interests,
achievements and abilities;
4. That the principal and his
staff in recognition of the student
individual differences, continue
to offer courses to develop the full
potential of each student;
5. That the board continue the
current policy of reviewing arid
meeting the increasing demands
placed on guidance and coun-
selling services because of added
responsibilities in counselling
students;
6. That the board make a study
of the adequacy of the existing
Board considers
space at Clinton
Figure skating
— Continued from front page
half the amount was cancelled, it
'may have a tendency to steady
the club's spending habits,
Mrs. Jermyn asked if RAP had
encouraged them in the past
seven years to make up any of the
deficit, but received no reply
from Boyle.
On questioning from Councillor
MacMillan, it was learned that
about 60 percent of the par-
ticipants were from Exeter and
the balance were out-of-towners.
When it was suggested Exeter
ratepayers shouldn't have to
subsidize youngsters from neigh-
boring communities, Boyle said it
was a case of beating your head
against a brick wall trying to get
help from neighboring townships
to finance the recreation
program.
The motion to cancel the deficit
finally passed after Councillor
Shaw asked that an item be
added that the club not be
allowed to run a deficit again.
A decision was reached at
Monday evening's meeting of the
Huron County Board , of
Education to look into the
possibility of • securing board
office accommodation at former
CFB Clinton.
The board had attemple,1
earlier this year to acquire space
in this complex but had been
unable to make suitable
arrangements.
Board chairman Robert Elliott
claimed there were no
stipulations ever laid down by the
board concerning the floor space
required by the board of
education. It is understood,
however, that complete office
accommodation plus a board
room would be favored by the
e.
GET PROVINCIAL AWARDS — On completion of twelve 4-H club projects the girls shown above received
provincial honours at Saturday's Achievement Day held at Zurich. From the left, they are, Mary Lou
Johnson, Varna; Cheryl Peck, Zurich; Brenda Turner, Varna and Diane McNichol, Walton. T-A photo
Call tender
for cruiser
Board approves most
of committee proposals
Hotels
— Continued from front page
year-old youth had been served in
the Central Hotel, left in his car,
and was involved soon af-
terwards in the accident.
The only word of com-
mendation at the hearings was
for Cecil Lewis and the way he
operated the Shillelagh Motor
Hoel, Lucas'.
Mr, Lewis admitted there had
been three minors charged with
drinking, but said he had con-
tinuing problems checking on
young people.
rentals, etc. in 1972,
• A study will also be made to
determine the alternatives of
renting IBM data processing
equipment and bulk purchasing
of IBM punch cards for the high
schools. This study was
inaugurated after it was noted
that there is a wide variety of
costs for this equipment from
school to school.
munications would likely go out
from the board office at the end of
the week in which the regular
open board meeting is held.
In other business, a tentative
budget of $20,000 in 1972 for the
replacement of commercial
equipment in secondary schools
was approved as was a tentative
budget for $17,501 among the five
high schools for supplies, repairs,
facilities to meet future
requirements of students during
their unscheduled time;
7. That the board study the use
of computers for scheduling and
recording under a credit system;
8. That the board establish a
committee comprised of the
director, superintendents,
principals, vice-principals and
guidance department heads to
investigate problems such as
expanding the arts area of study,
establishing minimum class sizes
for new courses, student at-
tendance regulations and any
other problems relating to the
implementation of the credit
system.
Norman Hodgson, Department
of Education, London, a former
high school principal in Peel
County, sat in on the discussion.
He'd had experience with the
system and was asked to
comment upon it.
Hodgson said that good com-
munications with the parents and
with the elementary schools is of
the utmost importance. He said a
great burden is placed on the
school but that the pupil and the
pupil's parents now figure even
more largely in the student's
final success.
In his experience, Hodgson
said, students took more credits
than necessary to obtain their
diplomas, mostly because they
recognized the value of a broad
base of knowledge when sear-
ching for a job. Bettermarks were
sought after too, he said, because
a transcript of their achievement
would go to their prospective
employers at the end of school,
Hodgson also pointed out that a
transcript of the marks was "well
received" by employers who
found they could now dif-
ferentiate between the students
who had received diplomas and
those who had earned diplomas
with good marks.
Hodgson did imply that the
guidance department of the
school was a key part of making
the credit system work well but
he didn't say that it would
necessarily mean that additional
money would have to be spent on
guidance. He suggested that the
structure of guidance depart-
mentsmight have to be changed
drastically to permit the new
work load, but he warned the
board it might become necessary
for them also to "take a look at
priorities".
"You must build your schools
on trust and confidence," said
Hodgson. "Don't trap kids into
rules they can't live with, As soon
as you put barriers up, someone's
going to attack you and win. So
why put that barrier there in the
first place?"
"You can't measure how
successful a student can be when
he is motivated," concluded
I lodgson.
"Pupils are still going to take
what is best for them," said CHSS
Principal Robert Homuth,
Several members of the board
as well as an English teacher
from SHDIIS, Bruce Shaw, were
concerned that English would no
longer be a compulsory subject.
In fact, Shaw stated that he could
see the teacher becoming "an
entertainer" and wondered if
"scholarship" would be
"sacrificed for amusement.".
Shaw said that what used to be
known at university as "Mickey
Mouse Courses" could become
the order of the day at high school
since students could get a
secondary school graduation
diploma with any 27 credits they
chose.
'Hodgson said that if he was a
teacher, he would be offended to
think that his associates thought
he was teaching a "Mickey
Mouse Course'"and saidthal if he
was a principal, he would be
insulted at the inference that
"Mickey Mouse Courses" were
offered at his school.
"All courses should be made
difficult enough so that only the
students who work or are par-
ticularly adept at these course
would do well in them," stated
Hodgson. "If there are Mickey
Mouse courses in the school,
someone should be responsible
for getting them out, But we have
to have basic trust in kids, They
don't always take the easy way
out."
The greater part of the regular
open meeting of the Huron
County Board of Education
Monday evening was spent
discussing the 24 recom-
mendations which evolved from
October's meeting on better
communications.
Only two recommendations
made by the committee of
communications were not ap-
proved by the board.. The board
decided not to provide
monographs of each board
member for each principal for
publication on the staff bulletin
boards. As well, the board ac-
cepted the principals' adverse
feelings concerning the ap-
pointment of a staff represen-
tative to keep each teeehisig staff
in the county school system in-
formed and agreed not to im-
plement the suggestion.
In passing the report, the board
agreed that wherever possible,
the board should have the benefit
of teaching staff opinion before
making policies affecting the
staff.
It was further agreed that a
synopsis of decisions reached by
the board would be sent to the
press, to the staff and to the
trustees shortly after a meeting,
Director of Education D. J.
Cochrane said these Com-
LIBRARY WELL USED — Since the Grand Bend library facilities have been moved to the village public
school, activities have increased considerably. Above, a group of Grand Bend students are shown checking
the books which are available, Prom the left they are, Elizabeth Connolly, Kathy Allister, Julie Sharrow,
Joanne Mellittish, Mary Jane Sandilands, Christine Boogemans, Doug Humphries, Carl Wild David
Leatherland, Mark Robitaille arid Guy Wild, '1-A photo
Plan examination
of present hall
Councillor Bruce Shaw asked
council this week to have
qualified persons examine the
present Exeter town hall to
determine what shape it is in, and
if in fact it could serve a useful
purpose for the future,
He said he was not opposed to
the building of a new town hall,
and termed the present structure
ugly. However, he said council
should give juStification to the
people who are opposed to having
the present building razed,
Reeve Derry Boyle said such
an examination of the present
structure would . cost money.
Shaw agreed, but pointed out it
could result in a saving if it was
found the building could be used,
or a portion of it.
Boyle and Shaw were named to
ask local contractors to inspect
the facilities.
At the meeting, Councillor Ross
Taylor suggested council should
assess the possibility of using the
present post office for municipal
purposes. He said it would be
available in the near future as the
federal government plans a new
post office in tutor in thb next
couple of years.
members of the board of
education.
One board member, Dr. Alex
Addison, Clinton, suggested at
Monday's meeting that if the
board is considering the con-
struction of board-owned office
accommodation, it might do well
to look at a lot already owned by
the board of education behind
Central Huron Secondary School
in Clinton on Raglan Street. The
lot is 132 feet by 330 feet and is
being sought presently by Wilfred
McIntes and Company Limited.
Discussion on this matter
revealed that Clinton's planning
board would not likely permit the
construction of office ac-
commodation in that area,
believed to be zoned residential.
However, Dr. Addison urged the
board not to rush into sale of the
property.
"You shouldn't be in a hurry to
sell it," said Addison. "You can
always sell it."
John Henderson,. charged
with the responsibility to in-
vestigate the worth of the
property in question, said it
would be entirely possible for the
board to retain a right of way and
to sell a sizeable lot as well.
The whole problem is to be
studied further at the next board
of management meeting
December 6,
Also at that meeting, the
situation at the Goderich DCI
cafeteria will be discussed and
recommendation made con-
cerning it.
Stephen
— Continued from front page
departments was put forth by the
Ontario Fire Marshal's office
several years ago.
Fearing severe erosion
problems, council will be asking
the Ausable River Conservation
Authority to have engineers
make a report on a gully in the
Kingsmere subdivision, north of
Grand Bend.
Two building permits were
approved, J, R. Hogg was
authorized to build a hangar on a
portion of the former Grand Bend
airport property to service air-
planes.
Tentative approval was given
to Gerald Isaac to build a truck
depot hi the 'Corbett Area.
A grant of $100 was approved to
the Huron Park Minor Hockey
\isoeiation, A request for
financial help was made by
Vratik oilskin, president of the
hockey ;main.
Exeter council this week
agreed to call tenders for a new
police cruiser.
The present vehicle has been
scheduled to be replaced for
some time, and action was taken
in view of problems being ex-
perienced by the police.
They have had difficulty
starting it on several occasions
and Chief Day said Monday that
"every morning something
different is wrong with it".
A committee of Chief Day,
Mayor Delbridge, Deputy-Reeve
MacGregor and Councillor
Taylor were named to draw up
specifications for a new vehicle.
Chief Day said he would like to
have power steering and power
brakes on the new unit, but that it
could be smaller than the high-
powered one now being used.
In giving his report for
October, Chief Day listed a total
of 178 occurrences. Among these
were:
Six accidents with damage
over $200 and eight under $200
with total damage being $4,651,
two injuries, 18 charges under the
Highway Traffic Act and 23
drivers cautioned, three places of
business found insecure, six
animal complaints, three
charges under the Liquor Control
Act, one threat investigated, two
fraud cases, three incidents
under the Narcotic Control Act,
six parking tickets issued, one
theft under $50, three sex As"
fences, one drunk driving Char;.
10 lost ancl found items, thi.
prowler calls, one obscene lette.
lephone
The implications of the credit
System in secondary school, to
become effective in all Ontario
high schools in September von,
were discussed in detail Monday
afternoon at the regular meeting
of the Huron County Board of
Education meeting.
This was the second of a series
of information meetings con-
cerning education scheduled for
this fall and winter. The com-
mittee who presented the brief
consisted of Gordon Smith,
chairman, CHSS; Robert
Homuth, CHSS; Arch Dobson,
Seaforth SS; Jack Kopas, F. E.
Madill SS; Ken Lawton, South
Huron SS; and Jack Seaman,
Goderich Collegiate. Charles Rau
represented the trustees on this
committee and Superintendent
Frank Madill was the board
office committee member.
Outlining the background of the
new credit system, Bob Homuth,
principal of CHSS in Clinton, said
that just a few years ago,
students had very little choice
about the subjects- they would
take in secondary school.
"Prior to 1960", said Homuth,
"students entering secondary
school were offered a package of
subjects with little or no choices
of courses. Students were forced
to take subjects in many cases in
which they had no aptitude or
interest. If a student did not
obtain a passing average he was
obliged to repeat the entire year.
In other words, he would be
repeating subjects in which he
had achieved well, and continue
those subjects in which he had
little or no competence or in-
terest."
"This led to dissatisfaction
which resulted in many
dropouts," continued Homuth. '
"Under 10 percent of the students
who enrolled in Grade 9 com-
pleted Grade 13: During this
period the educational program
was mainly geared to prepare
students for university, nursing
institutions and teachers'
colleges."
"In 1961 the reorganized
program of studies — Roberts
Plan — was introduced to better
meet the needs of students and
hence raise the retention rate,"
said Homuth. "This was the
period of Russian superiority in
space exploration which led to a
great cry for technological
training, More avenues should be
opened to the students. This new
plan offered courses in arts and
science, business and commerce,
.science, technology and trades
with four and five year programs
in each of the above branches. In
addition a two-year occupational
program was offered to students
who were transferred rather than
promoted from Grade 8 of the
elementary system. As a result of
this program, students were
better able to select courses for
their needs and capabilities."
"It was evident that many
more students fulfilled the
requirements for secondary
school diplomas. The retention
rate was better," continued
I lomuth. "The system was still
fairly rigid in that students after
Grade 9 were locked-in in the
program which they had selec-
t ted. Toward the end of the '605
students were permitted to move
from one branch to another."
"By the end of the '60s the
emphasis on technological
training was waning in favor of a
more humanistic approach,"
Homuth explained. "Basic
knowledge, skills and aptitudes
which have already been
established must become more
highly developed in keeping
with the increased demands of
life in Canadian society. The vital
qualities of curiosity and
imagination require consistent,
yet delicate stimulation. Among
the basic principles of education
there is also the fact that one of
the greatest contributions a
school can make to its „students is
to develop in them an active
desire to continue learning
throughout their lives."
"The knowledge explosion in
most subject fields indicates the
futility of emphasizing only the
gathering and memorizing of
large numbers of facts and
details," stated Homuth. "It is
more important in most subjects
that students learn to investigate,
think, analyze, synthesize, in-
terpret and record, Any of the
subject, disciplines can provide
an adequate vehicle for the
developnient of learning skills."
"Where the student selects his
'e own program to meet his own
needs and his own interests he is
mete apt to progress to an
adequate acquisition of
knowledge and these learning
skills," Hdmuth pointed out.
"The meaningful search for
,, knowledge will cOntinue beyond
his high school days into his adult
life."
"Hence the credit system has
been introduced in some schools
and must be put into effect in all
schools by September 1972,"
concluded Homuth, "This will
o' necessitate the use of individual
timetables throughout all schools
to accommodate students'
freedom of choice,"
In summing up, Superintendent
Madill claitried this was "dot an