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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2006-01-04, Page 20t i" .•r••4..4.vlw.. �Ltw.I News High schools debate return to semestered programming Year-long, non-semestered pro- gramming could cease to exist in Avon Maitland District School Board secondary facilities next fall, but only if teachers and principals are able to convince administrative staff that Grade 9 and 10 math results won't be negatively affected. Early this decade, acting on the argument that too much time passes between courses in the same disci- pline under semestered systems, trustees decided the board's high schools should revert to year-long programming in all subject areas. That decision was partially reversed in 2003, in response to con- cerns about the decreased class length under year-long timetabling, and the desire of some almost -grad- uated students to complete one or two credits in three months then spend the rest of the year earning tuition fees for college or university. At the time, however, principals were directed to retain year-long Grade 9 and 10 classes in two key disciplines: math andeEnglish. Now, according to a report deliv- ered to trustees Tuesday, Dec. 13, administration will allow principals to revert to semesters in those areas as well. "In 2003, the EQAO (Education Quality and Accountability Office, an arms -length government agency which administers standardized tests to .Ontario students) reported no statistically significant differ- ences in achievement between schools with year long programs and hose with semestered programs," states a report provided at a Dec. 13 regular board meeting. Education director Geoff Williams says the board is reluctant to tam- per with a formula under which Avon Maitland students have consis- tently recorded well above provincial average success rates in the EQAO's Grade 9 math tests. If principals wish to convert Grade 9 and 10 math to semesters, they "will be asked to submit a proposal," including "address(ing) how they will continue to ensure very high levels of success for their students, and how they will monitor and assess the impact of the changes on student achievement." The conversion of Grade 9 and 10 English to semesters will be allowed without any strings attached. The catch is that, if Grade 9 and 10 math are not converted to semes- ters, then other Grade 9 and 10 courses will also have to remain in a year-long format. • The Huron Expositor • January 4, 2006 Page 20 Dec 3 - Steve Hildebrand [Dec 4 - Catherine Hak Dec 5 - Doug Dietz Dec 6 - Rosie Gilck Dec 7 - Doris Bannerman Dec 8 - Ann Coyne Dec 9 - Juliana Buffinga • Dec 10 - Betty Bennett Dec 11 - Martha Smith Dec 12 - Agnes Russell Dec 13 - Janice Carnochan' Dec 14 - Ken Campbell Dec 15 - Joan McCallum ;, Dec 16 - Teresa Laycox Dec 17 - Wilma Pennings Dec 18 - Gary Elston Li Dec 19 - Joan McNaughton Dec 20 - Bernice McPherson Dec 21'- Nancy O'Reilly Dec 22 Sherri Forde Dec 23 - Dolly McQuaid GRAND PRIZE WINNER "Complete Festive Meal" Sharon Murray •