from this week's glen ellyn news. the board will vote on the proposed curriculum changes this coming monday. will they keep Contemporary world history honors? or bend to the AP juggernaut...but of course...it's for the kids...
mysuburbanlife.com...

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Ted E.,

You know what's going to end up happening.

There is a "Curriculum Sequence Night" scheduled at West tonight. The Social Studies curriculum will be one of the topics for discussion. It is scheduled at 6:30 in the West Library.

discussion implies dialouge. tonight is a presentation. not a discussion. this decision was made a long time ago...unless the board decides differently when they vote monday night....still a glimmer of hope...

Time to move on. The kids and most parents are excited about these changes. Bring on the challenge of the AP classes-GW students can handle the same course offerings of other local schools.

not true, and you know it. MANY parents and students are upset. the glen ellyn news this week cites a petition with 240 names against this change.

if the board really gives a dam* about the so-called "stakeholders" they just might give the parents and students what they want. they are voting on monday night, and this class SHOULD NOT BE OFF THE TABLE. there will still be honors english for sophomores, why can't there be honors social studies? this is only being done to increase AP numbers. there is no other reason. this is NOT a good curriculum change, and is NOT being done for the "good of the children."

you clearly work for the district.

or, maybe your kid will get a get a D or F in AP as a sophomore. it would serve you right.
oh, and don't forget: if your kid (if he/she exists) is failing they can't get out of the class thanks to the no-drop policy...so choose carefully.

stakeholders: what a joke.

You are clearly living in the past looking to get your kid the easy "A"....Did you take advantage of Catholic School entrance exams? It might not be that late.

I hope there will be at least a couple of board members who speak up Monday night and question why this entire process has been rammmed down everyone's (the board's, the teachers', the community's) throats. I predicted that this is what Dr. Meissen would do.

And,by the way, the definition of the difference between an honors and an Ap class as stated in the GE News, is incorrect. AP classes are college-level courses with an approved curriculum by the college board. Honors courses are acccelerated high school classes.

So, if any board members read this site, and I think that you do, you might want to postpone a vote until you have more information.

quote:

You are clearly living in the past looking to get your kid the easy "A"....Did you take advantage of Catholic School entrance exams? It might not be that late.

nasty, nasty.

no, actually this class (contemp. world history HONORS) is a very challenging class. clearly you have no idea about it's curriculum, it's impact on students, it's general educational value.
so instead of learning about the world we live in today- the middle east, the rise of china, the roots of terrorism...the administration is replacing this with AP human geography. this class/ is taken by ONE PERCENT of all AP students. it's curriculum is a gobbledygook of migration studies, population, etc. and as for european AP, well, it's a challenging class, but
a COLLEGE class. if your kid is ready for this they could have taken it for the past 3 years.
this is only being done to pad resumes of administrators. "oh look, we have 40 more sophomores taking AP..our AP numbers have doubled!!"
and as for other schools doing this: NEW TRIER does not make their sophomores take AP for social studies.
so, if any board members are reading this: listen to the parents on this one.
240 parents signed the petition against this move...and they are not, i assure you, looking for an easy A.
they want to retain an outstanding class which PREPARES students to do well in AP as JUNIORS AND SENIORS.
last year the AP tests collected almost $225,000,000 in revenues from this test. this is a big business, and not concerned with the actual education of our children.
keep this class!!

i meant revenues from all AP tests...

quote:

Originally posted by GWDAD:
Time to move on. The kids and most parents are excited about these changes.

I have no idea whether "most" parents support or oppose this. I know I have encountered a small number of vocal advocates on either side. Would you please be so kind as to fill us in as to the basis for your assessment of public attitude? Thanks.

As he so often does when confronted with his potential involvement with the board, I'm quite certain that GWDad will NOT provide you with any viable information supporting this claim. I don't believe he knows how.

"most" parents (at least 240 who signed the petition to keep this class, presented to the board last month) are NOT excited about this change.
this change was absolutely NOT sought by any parents. anyone who's kid has taken this class knows that it is a really wonderful educational experience.
don't expect an answer from GWDAD. if he wants his kid in AP social studies as a sophomore have at it...sophomores have been able to take AP euro. for 3 years. this is being done for force increases in AP enrollment.
but of course..."it's for the kids..."
PLEASE COME TO THE BOARD MEETING AT EAST TONIGHT, 7:30pm

Many thanks to board member Tom Voltaggio who sided with the many parents and kids who wanted to retain this wonderful class.

the ham-handed administration has rammed this change through, against the wishes of the parents, students, and teachers.

not a good way to treat your "stakeholders." it won't be forgotten.

Meissen needs to be removed as Superintendant...how many times does he have to prove that he does nothing to enhance the classroom or to address the needs of the students. 87 is supposed to partner with the students and parents for the good of everyone involved yet he seems to do what he wants with no regard to anyone. The man has no stake in the district and proves it time and time again.

it's not just him. dr. garcia: new this year from plainfield. gunning for change that virtually no one wanted. why? to enhance a resume.
hope said resume takes him away from here SOON. maybe they can both take a hike.

Couldn't either of them be voted out?

When I was in high school, many students and parents became concerned when we got a new principle. He was making a lot of changes around the school, and collectively that scared us. HIS changes turned out to benefit the student body greatly, though....not so much for Garcia and Meissen.

quote:

Originally posted by howdy60137:
the ham-handed administration has rammed this change through, against the wishes of the parents, students, and teachers.

not a good way to treat your "stakeholders." it won't be forgotten.

I'm curious as to why you think that this particular action is going to lead to any significant changes. Don't get me wrong - as the whole our schools do an adequate, probably even a pretty good job. But over the past decade or more between Ds 41 and 87 we've seen any number of major decisions that I consider downright boneheaded and almost disrespectful towards the taxpayers. D41's phase-in, their questionable choices for the past couple of very highly paid superintendents, their creative accounting to suggest overcrowding, various school sales/transfers, D87's sale of their 5th school property, the 6-period day...

Like I said, my kids got a pretty good education from the schools (tho I paid plenty in taxes to obtain it). But I'm curious why you think this one decision concerning one class is going to have any significant impact?

IMO schools bank heavily on the brevity of voters' memories, and the numerous factors weighing against "outsiders" getting involved.

quote:

the ham-handed administration has rammed this change through, against the wishes of the parents, students, and teachers.

In your humble opinion, which group has demonstrated a lack of concern for the students or parents? Is it the administration or the school board?

It appears that most of the school board believes the lies that Dr. Meissen feeds them--like how the teaching staff is onboard w/these curriculum changes. They aren't onboard. They have no choice when Meissen dictates anything.


The school board should start getting into the schools and start talking candidly w/ staff. I blame them for being suckered (except Voltaggeo).
The superintendent is the real one to blame, though, along with his minions. I agree with My Two Cents--Meissen needs to go.