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Districts beef up academics
Educators are working to improve test scores
By Delores Patterson / The Detroit News / August 23,
2002
Educators throughout Wayne County's 34 local school districts
are beefing up their focus on academics and working hard to
improve performance. More than half of the districts scored
lower on reading and writing than last year, according to 2002
Michigan Education Placement Program (MEAP) test results.
Among the innovative ideas for the upcoming school year:
fostering a college-campus style atmosphere for high school
students, beginning classes an hour later and getting parents
involved in the curriculum on the first day of school.
Northville
Since a majority of teen-agers have after-school jobs and
extra-curricular activities, many students stay up late --
sometimes past midnight -- to complete homework assignments,
leaving them sluggish for 7 a.m. classes.
As a result, Northville educators are exploring the idea of
starting school up to an hour later. A district committee
found research from the National Sleep Foundation that said
only 15 percent of high school students get adequate sleep
during a school week.
When a child reaches adolescence, their sleep patterns change
because their biological clocks tell them to stay up later and
wake up later. But many typically get less than seven hours of
rest a night because they need to be in school early, said
Dave Bolitho, assistant superintendent of administrative
services and a member of Northville's Late Start Committee.
The 14-member group comprising students, staff, parents and a
sleep expert is scheduled to present the school board with two
late-start school models next month. The committee also will
lead an informational campaign about the proposal and seek
feedback from the community.
"It's an exciting possibility," parent Eric Cholack said. "We
certainly want to make sure all students learn to their
greatest potential."
If the proposal is accepted, board members would have to
determine a feasible bus transportation schedule. About seven
to 10 buses at $85,000 might be needed to get everyone to
school on time.
"We have a lot of things to figure out," Bolitho said.
Plymouth-Canton
Plymouth-Canton Community Schools is expanding its educational
park with the new $40 million Plymouth High School. The
300,000-square-foot facility joins Salem and Canton high
schools at Joy Road and Canton Center, where 5,100 students
are expected to trek to class every day.
While some critics believe adding another big school will add
to confusion on the campus -- 1,700 children will attend each
facility -- one of the factors for building the school was to
provide students more space and trim class sizes, officials
said.
During the next two years, the district expects a total of
250-300 children, and the township anticipates about 10,000
new residents in northwest Canton within the next five years,
said Supervisor Tom Yack.
Educators say the atmosphere at the educational park is unique
because it not only will help prepare students for a college
campus environment, but also help keep school operating costs
down by having the schools in close proximity while exposing
students to diverse populations.
"Our campus park is about building relationships and promoting
learning," said Mike Bee, principal of Plymouth High School
that will house ninth-graders.
"Our students will be very well prepared for a college
atmosphere and should have a smoother transition," he said.
Students will take their core subjects of math and science in
their assigned schools, but will attend classes at other
facilities on the campus that offer electives such as art,
shop and electronics so the district doesn't triplicate
courses.
Plymouth-Canton will also grant students at the three high
school access to the district's library system from their home
computers or laptops for the first time this year.
"It will help students who may be researching projects well
after school or on the weekends when school is closed," Bee
said. "We want to give them every opportunity to learn."
Dearborn
Instead of waiting for open houses or conferences to bring
parents into the classroom, Nowlin and DuVall elementary
schools in Dearborn will hold a first day of school
celebration.
New DuVall Principal Wafaa Makki is striving to build
community partnerships early along with the understanding that
everyone needs to work together to foster the best learning
environment.
The half-day of school next week will give parents a chance to
meet new Superintendent John Artis, representatives from the
city and school staff in a festive patriotic setting.
During the event, parents will accompany their kids to classes
where teachers will outline expectations for the year.
Educators at DuVall integrate music and art into learning.
"We plan to be very specific about what will be taught and how
progress will be measured so that everyone is on the same
page," said Linda Bedell, a vocal music teacher. "This event
will also help with teacher-parent relationships."
Redford Union, S. Redford
Other school districts such as Redford Township are beefing up
their codes of conduct to reduce distractions and allow
children to focus more on academics.
The Redford Union Board of Education has added to its conduct
book offenses for possessing toy weapons that look real or
substances that look like drugs or alcohol. Possessing them
carry the same consequences as carrying the real items at
school: expulsion or mandatory chemical dependency programs.
The new code also includes a new policy on bullying and
intimidation.
Over in South Redford, students at Thurston High School will
have to wear their student IDs all day, while cell phone and
pagers cannot be used during school hours.
"I'm glad that this was done to make sure students remain
safe. They are there to learn and don't need the distractions.
This will also help them become more responsible which will
hopefully carry over into their adult lives," resident Rhys
Lewis said.
You can reach Delores Patterson at (313) 561-8146. |
