Curriculum and Philosophy Committee Meeting Minutes
 12/15/05

  

1)      Attending- Dr Hanson, Victor Sokul,  Peg Guillard,  Ben Allen,  Tom O’Malley, Peter Stackhouse, Sally Oxnard, Lucy Cushman, Roy Morrissette, Kim Casey, Kris Magnussen.

2)      New course proposals for the Exeter high School

             Process is the administration asks the faculty for any new course proposals in the fall. They are given suggestions- ie new state minimum standards we need to work towards. Proposals are given two readings, and approved by the departments. Then they are presented to the School Board. 

            A) New courses to address minimum standards.  This season we have a business course proposal which addresses new standards for offering in business and economics. It is Intro to Business and the Economy 900, which will be followed by  a course in Entrepreneurship being proposed for fall 2007.

              The next course is tech Ed 900, intro to technology, effective fall 2006, which addresses the minimum standard about Energy , Power, and Technology.

              B) Modifying courses to meet state standards. In math we have a new algebra requirement for the class of 2009.  This will mean embedding algebra concepts in the existing “non algebra: track courses using an integrated program. This involves about 20 students per year.

              In Social Studies we will be modifying the existing US History curriculum to incorporate a newly mandated civics requirement.

              C) New offerings in the arts- Painting 900, Theatre Arts 900 and Music Technology and Composition will enable students to take advantage of our new facilities

               D) New course proposal from the departments- additional AP courses will be offered, including AP Psychology 100  and  AP Macroeconomics 100. A lively discussion of the merits and drawbacks of AP courses in general ensued. Some felt that we have numerous AP courses already, some felt that other area schools offer more especially in math and the sciences.

                 E) Course modifications from the departments- Media literacy 900 expands the existing journalism class to include other media and formats.

 

3)      High School Transition Committee.

            This elegant report focused on the process and  the committee composition and structure, and gave us  a preview of the presentation which the full board will see on Jan 31, and which Victor Sokul will be showing around the community. It was very well done and we congratulated the presenters on their organization and clarity.

 

4)      adjourned 9 PM

 

Sally Oxnard