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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 1989-06-14, Page 17THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 1989. PAGE 17. Study shows general level not meeting students9 needs Huron County Board of Educa tion Director Bob Allan has ap pointed a committee to consider how well Huron County secondary schools are serving the general level population. To simplify they looked specifically at students studying general level Math and English, and the results of that study were disclosed to Board members at their June 5 meeting. The committee, which consisted of Christine Ritchie of Bluewater Secondary School; John Gnay and Joe Wooden of Central Huron; Murray Hunter of F. E. Madill, Shelley Warr of Goderich District Collegiate Institute; Jim Empring- ham and Janice Rose of Seaforth; Ric Graham, Bill Johnston and Barb Golding of South Huron; Linda McKenzie Co-op Co-ordina- tor and Arnold Mathers, Superin tendent of Program, regarded is sues such as dropout rate and continuing education. They believe that while the problems they found are to some extent the problems of all students, advanced level and basic level students are served better by Huron County schools than general level. What they discovered was a lack of bonding with the school and activities, feelings of inadequacy reinforced by low or falling marks, poor attendance, lack of goals, and dropping out before graduation. At the beginning of the study, sources claim that they were not convinced there was a dropout problem. However they noted that 30 per cent of those who enroll in Grade 9 and do not graduate are general level students. The committee suggests that while parents and students see part-time jobs as desirable, many students have difficulties keeping their priorities straight. Studies prove that marks drop precipitious- ly if the student works more than 15 hours a week outside school. The committee recommends that marks be given for attendance or make the student see the import ance of being in class. Extra activities must be seen as secon dary to school. General level classes consistent ly score below advance level class es, in the committees evaluation, during Grades 9 and 10. The committee feels that the conse quence is discouragement and disillusionment. They support the development of evaluation techni ques based on non-academic achievements like attendance, pre paredness, attitude, and participa tion. Efforts should be made by Grade 9 and 10 teachers to have less discrepancy between advanced and general level students. Course packaging prepares stu dents for entrance to a community college or direct entry into the work force. Graduates would specialize in business or technical education, providing them with background for a successful career in giving them occupational direction. Parent-teacher contact is import ant. More effort should be made, the committee feels, to enlist the help of the student’s family. Teach ers could contact parents if a student is failing or conversely if they are doing exceptionally well. Parents in turn should sign home work or assignments to increase their awareness of their child’s achievements. Though statistics on student pregnancy are not available, the committee felt that it constitutes a problem for female students and believe it is a significant factor in the dropout rate. In educational terms the committee says that the schools ought to take stronger initiatives in combating the pro blem. Yet many parents feel strongly about sex education in the schools. Therefore the committee feels the Board may need to consider whether it wishes to confront community values to re duce the pregnancy rate. To ease adjustment into Grade 9 the committee suggests a “lock step homeroom'’ wherever possi ble. This would keep the same group of students together for every class, forming positive bond ing. Other steps include, teacher mentors, or events like ‘buddy week’. Not all students, the committee felt, are ready for the demands of high school in Grade 9. Current general level does not address the need of how to provide successful experiences for students unless their achievement levels are raised. A program to be linked with counselling support in basic num eracy and literacy would improve their chances for success. The committee noticed that gen eral level students do not partici pate in extracurricular activities fully. A broader range needs to be developed. Mini-topics could be introduced into compulsory Grade 9 courses for a one week period. Things like Intrapersonal Skills, Citizenship, Goal Setting, Study Skills, Asser tiveness Training are of general interest and of particular use to that age group. General level students would value greatly from the Co-op Program, the committee said. Prac tical experience prepares for entry into the work force. Course selection procedures should be simplified and counsel ors should let students know they, are available for guidance. Studies on dropouts have shown that typically they miss credits in Grades 9 and 10. The committee suggests that school staffs develop a program which will provide assistance before the failing occurs, beginning with those in the 40-55 per cent range. They should aim at salvaging a credit or even a partial credit. Questions concerning discipline procedures arose. The committee asks “Could we suspend from classes but not from school? Do the present procedures rehabilitate the child or remove him/her”. Teachers should be made aware of the Independent Learning Courses offered to them. The committee sees them as becoming a useful resource for remedial units, extended illness, or for students who find it difficult to work in a large group. Teachers should also be encouraged to observe their peers . The conclusion reached by the committee was that the students in “today’s general level classes are the people who will enable tomor row’s society to function. They will own our shops, fix our cars, maintain our institutions, and live next door to us. We owe them the highest standard of education we can give them.” They urge the Board of Education to take what ever steps it feels necessary to produce confident, caring and well education citizens. Their specific recommendations to begin were: that each secondary school convene a staff committee of teachers of general level, that a co-ordinator of general level be considered in the near future to provide a liason for school commit tees and support for teachers of general level; that a professional development program for teachers of general level be continued; that package programs be developed for general tech and general business and be considered if possible in small secondary schools; that re source lists of materials for use in general level couses be prepared and that a testing program and a follow-up program of skill develop ment and counselling be made available to students in general level English and Math courses. The Board accepted the report of the Committee and congratulat ed them on an excellent job. They agreed to try to work through the recommendations. 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