Transcript Grade Configurations - Farmington Public Schools

Grade Configurations
Learning Configurations
Subcommittee
Report To FPS School Board
April 22nd, 2008
Membership
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Kim Couture – Parent
Julie Devine – Parent
Suzanne Fellows – Parent
Samir Haddad – Administrator
Motria Kraus – Teacher
Jane Lichtenauer – Teacher
Jon Manier – Administrator
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Melissa McDermid – Teacher
Denise Morgott – Parent
Lesa Nash – Parent
Dyanne Sanders - Administrator
Greg Thompson – Teacher
Mark Wilson – Administrator
Cindy Zervos – Parent
Process
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Identification of key values and
ideas related to our learning
configurations
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Development of essential
questions to guide research and
discussion
Process
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Research of essential questions by
committee members
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Synthesis dialogue within subcommittee
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Presentation and dialogue within
whole committee
Presentations
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Local and Similar Grade Configurations – Kim
Couture & Lesa Nash
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School Size and Effectiveness – Suzanne Fellows &
Denise Morgott
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Transitions – Jon Manier
Presentations
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Alternative Grade Configurations – Melissa McDermid
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K-8 Schools – Dyanne Sanders
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Where do 9th Graders Belong? – Mark Wilson
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Where do 6th Graders Belong? – Cindy Zervos
Conclusions
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Conclusive support for specific learning
configurations is not clearly evident in the
committee’s review of research.
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High quality faculty is the primary factor in
ensuring success.
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Transitions between school levels should be
minimized.
Conclusions
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Faculty at key transitioning grade levels
should be specifically trained to work with
learners at these critical points.
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Schools with “smaller” enrollments may
provide advantages to “at risk” students.
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Local districts may offer specific
programming for “gifted” students.
Conclusions
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School districts frequently based
configuration decisions on non-academic
factors; enrollment trends, space availability,
community preference, cost-savings.
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Pilot programming can be offered without
district adoption of specific configurations.
Recommendations
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Administration of a community survey to
better inform configuration decisions made
by the district.
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Investigate a K-8 school option for
feasibility.
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Investigate 6th grade placement in
elementary buildings for feasibility and
utility.
Recommendations
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Maintain 9th grade as part of high schools.
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Implement articulated, comprehensive,
sustainable transitioning plans.
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Develop a feeder school system which
minimizes school splits.