Schools

School Board to Vote Tonight on Middle School Proposal

The teachers association is opposed to the plan on many levels.

Board of Education members have heard the testimony from educators, parents and students. They've studied the recommendations made by administrators and they've asked questions—all in an effort to make a decision on whether to eliminate separate reading classes and make other changes in Howard County public middle schools.

Tonight, board members will vote on the proposal.

The proposal is a multifaceted plan that calls for changing the daily class schedule, eliminates separate reading classes in favor of folding that specialized instruction into core subject classes, increases physical education class time and adds world languages to the sixth-grade curriculum.

Find out what's happening in Columbiawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Imminent changes in the way many school systems do business are paving the way for much of the proposed changes, according to the school system.

Maryland is one of about 45 states that has signed on to the Common Core State Standards, a curriculum that would attempt to ensure uniformity in preparing students from state to state for college or careers.

Find out what's happening in Columbiawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

As the curriculum changes to reflect the Common Core standards, so too will the standardized tests administered to measure whether those standards are being achieved.

Maryland will move from the Maryland School Assessments (MSA) to the new Partnership for the Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers tests (PARCC) that must be fully implemented in 2014-2015.

It is a complicated matter with many elements to consider, according to school board chairwoman Sandy French.

Each board member will weigh carefully all of the material presented regarding the changes and make the best decision they can for all Howard County public school students, she told Patch last week.

The Howard County Education Association stands formally opposed to the proposal, and still hopes to be a partner in making changes that are acceptable to all parties, according to President Paul Lemle.

Of major concern to association leaders is what they perceive as a two-tiered class of teachers, with some related arts teachers (world language, physical education, music and art) losing a contractually negotiated planning period and instead being asked to teach an additional class, Lemle said.

Lemle is concerned about the two classes of teachers, and wonders why some educators would be asked to teach heavier loads of students than others.

The Board of Education meets today at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the school system's headquarters, 10910 Rt. 108. Members are slated to act on the middle school instructional proposal at the evening session.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here