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Post by tomtom on Feb 24, 2009 13:46:08 GMT -6
I noticed Jay Strang attended the Project Arrow PTA mtg and not the director of the gifted program in 204, Dr. Rhodes. Now I'm hearing whispers that Dr. Rhodes may not be in charge of gifted programs next year. Can anyone confirm this, preferably someone that will identify themselves from D204 administration? Who will be in charge of Gifted if not Dr. Rhodes.
According to Kathy Birkett at IPPC meeting, only changes to PA next year are adding more "qualified" teachers. Is this really all it is or are they other changes afoot that the public hasn't been informed of yet?
I'm sure the newly chartered PA PTA and their 100+ members would like to know how & where the D204 administrators could rely of their organization to help support & promote our gifted programs. Will the district work with the PTA or just ignore them?
Hasn't D204 learned from Gregory Middle School situation that it's best to INVOLVE parents as much as possible in decisions affecting our children?
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Post by wvparent on Feb 25, 2009 7:41:43 GMT -6
From what I understand Dr. Rhodes is NOT in charge of the PA program per se. He oversees the math and science curricula for the district. Thus, he is responsible for PA math and PA science (in the middle school). He has nothing to do with the middle school PA language arts or social studies. This means that the integrated middle school PA language arts-social studies-science strand is looked after by at least two district administrators -- Dr. Rhodes and Kevin Myers or Jay Strang depending on the question. The latter are talented and thoughtful adminstrators, but PA language arts and social studies just fall under their overall curriculum oversight; PA is just another bullet in their job responsibilities. No one at district has specific responsibility for overseeing the entire PA program -- elementary through middle school -- with the authority and accountability like Dr. Danute Krebs once had.
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Post by doctorwho on Feb 25, 2009 8:34:24 GMT -6
From what I understand Dr. Rhodes is NOT in charge of the PA program per se. He oversees the math and science curricula for the district. Thus, he is responsible for PA math and PA science (in the middle school). He has nothing to do with the middle school PA language arts or social studies. This means that the integrated middle school PA language arts-social studies-science strand is looked after by at least two district administrators -- Dr. Rhodes and Kevin Myers or Jay Strang depending on the question. The latter are talented and thoughtful adminstrators, but PA language arts and social studies just fall under their overall curriculum oversight; PA is just another bullet in their job responsibilities. No one at district has specific responsibility for overseeing the entire PA program -- elementary through middle school -- with the authority and accountability like Dr. Danute Krebs once had. I remember Danute from when my oldest was in PA - liked her. Was her role a victim of budget cuts do we know ? |
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Post by rew on Feb 25, 2009 12:17:02 GMT -6
While the official party line is "no changes", for some reason I am still hearing from school staff that "big changes" are coming to PA??? I wonder if it's a matter of how you define the term or if there were changes afoot that have since been put off or if this is another change that they will announce, pass and implement with little or no time for community reaction?
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Post by d204mom on Feb 25, 2009 13:54:48 GMT -6
One change I do know of is that they pushed the testing back from fall until spring. It used to be November now I'm thinking it's Feb or March. So I think the 2nd graders don't really start until 3rd grade.
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Post by slp on Feb 25, 2009 15:04:13 GMT -6
Maybe the big change will be not calling these kids 'gifted'! ;D
(sorry couldn't resist; but i'm just kidding!)
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sardines
Soph
We can fit a few more diagonally
Posts: 73 
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Post by sardines on Feb 25, 2009 15:38:23 GMT -6
One change I do know of is that they pushed the testing back from fall until spring. It used to be November now I'm thinking it's Feb or March. So I think the 2nd graders don't really start until 3rd grade. Years ago when my first was in it, they had to score a 95 or better in Reading, Math, and Science on the standardized test. They also had to score at least a 120 on the Otis Lennon Test. They were tested in the Fall of first grade and each year thereafter. They were very strict with the parameters as we had a neighbor's child that missed it by one score. They would not admit him into the program. This was when Danute Krebs was heading the program. When my second was entering middle school, we were told they were "re-evaluating" their parameters (our PA teacher said they needed to show this program was justified and increased numbers would help their cause). My second qualified to my surprise and that year they had more than twice as many kids in the program. They went from one class of 20 to two classes of around 27 each. Just my experience..... |
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Post by doctorwho on Feb 25, 2009 15:48:06 GMT -6
One change I do know of is that they pushed the testing back from fall until spring. It used to be November now I'm thinking it's Feb or March. So I think the 2nd graders don't really start until 3rd grade. Years ago when my first was in it, they had to score a 95 or better in Reading, Math, and Science on the standardized test. They also had to score at least a 120 on the Otis Lennon Test. They were tested in the Fall of first grade and each year thereafter. They were very strict with the parameters as we had a neighbor's child that missed it by one score. They would not admit him into the program. This was when Danute Krebs was heading the program. When my second was entering middle school, we were told they were "re-evaluating" their parameters (our PA teacher said they needed to show this program was justified and increased numbers would help their cause). My second qualified to my surprise and that year they had more than twice as many kids in the program. They went from one class of 20 to two classes of around 27 each. Just my experience..... The program has been diluted from what it once was -- when my oldest was in you had to test in the top 1% ( 1st grade) or top 2% ( 2nd grade) - to enter - along with teacher recommendations. Today it appears the line between PA and advanced trac is blurred- and I realize there will be differing opinions on this, but it may be too inclusive to be effective as a PA trac... Hard to say, my first was in, my second no ( advance trac instead) - I can tell you I thought the program was very effective at the time - and Danute Krebs was excellent. I am not sure what message we are sending when we have so many kids take PA classes say in HS- yet < 30% get college credit for them. There seems to be a disconnect to me. |
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Post by tomtom on Feb 25, 2009 20:46:07 GMT -6
From what I understand Dr. Rhodes is NOT in charge of the PA program per se. He oversees the math and science curricula for the district. Call Dr. Rhodes direct line ... 630-375-3047. His voice mail states he is Director of Mathematics, Science and Gifted Education in 204. Also, I'm hearing that he may be leaving 204 after this school year. Sooooo ... who will be in charge of gifted? |
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Post by tomtom on Feb 25, 2009 20:51:30 GMT -6
I'm sure she'd love to hear how your child is doing now. As far as her departure, don't know if she'd discuss it but you can reach her at 630-466-4651 as she is now the Regional Coordinator for Invent Now Kids Camp Invention & Club Invention out of Sugar Grove.
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Post by rew on Feb 26, 2009 6:46:24 GMT -6
DW, it is Dash's goal to have every HSer take an AP class. He wants to make it a graduation requirement.
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Post by Arch on Feb 26, 2009 7:04:28 GMT -6
DW, it is Dash's goal to have every HSer take an AP class. He wants to make it a graduation requirement. Personally, I find it a nice goal to put enough resources into place to eventually get more kids UP to that level... I find it very counter-productive to bring the AP level DOWN just to be able to put the bullet point on a Power Point somewhere that now X% more kids are in AP and then tout that as some sort of 'success'. |
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Post by tomtom on Feb 26, 2009 7:16:46 GMT -6
DW, it is Dash's goal to have every HSer take an AP class. He wants to make it a graduation requirement. Once my child approaches the HS years, I'm going to FULLY evaluate her/him taking College courses while in HS in lieu of AP classes, like I did. Having to take an AP course, then an AP exam and THEN hope to have your maticulating college/univesity accept those results in exchange for credit at their institution is not ideal. At 16, myself and other gifted students from my HS, were taking courses at a prestigious university, maintaining a B+ or better average and getting dual HS & College credit that was readily transferred to other institutions. That's why I think the Nequa/College of Dupage model is a good one. |
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Post by Arch on Feb 26, 2009 7:21:42 GMT -6
DW, it is Dash's goal to have every HSer take an AP class. He wants to make it a graduation requirement. Once my child approaches the HS years, I'm going to FULLY evaluate her/him taking College courses while in HS in lieu of AP classes, like I did. Having to take an AP course, then an AP exam and THEN hope to have your maticulating college/univesity accept those results in exchange for credit at their institution is not ideal. At 16, myself and other gifted students from my HS, were taking courses at a prestigious university, maintaining a B+ or better average and getting dual HS & College credit that was readily transferred to other institutions. That's why I think the Nequa/College of Dupage model is a good one. I did AP *AND* 'dual enrollment' with the community college in both 11th and 12th grade. It doesn't have to be one or the other... |
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Post by doctorwho on Feb 26, 2009 7:49:14 GMT -6
DW, it is Dash's goal to have every HSer take an AP class. He wants to make it a graduation requirement. Personally, I find it a nice goal to put enough resources into place to eventually get more kids UP to that level... I find it very counter-productive to bring the AP level DOWN just to be able to put the bullet point on a Power Point somewhere that now X% more kids are in AP and then tout that as some sort of 'success'. Especially when 70% plus of them are failing the tests right now - that doesn't nothing for student or school. Some other local schools have an 85% + success rate - is that due to better instruction - or more likely better identification of who can and cannot do that work. As it stands now the student gets and inflated grade for taking the AP but did they learn the material? Maybe the Dr. would not be so happy with it if they did not 'weight' the grades as again another local school does not. If you get an F , it's an F - not a C A D is not a B etc. If we can prepare more kids for AP and they truly are ready - that would be a great thing - enrolling them in a class is different than preparing them. |
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