Education Summit Comments and Suggestions
Lynn Ojeda and Matt Sicking
Group participants:
Jenny Birge - health advisory task force, ed. foundation, education leads our society
Steve Day - parent, passionate about what we teach and how
Gloria Andrade-Norris - CATE teacher at PSHS, boundary dispute
Chris Ristow- clark teacher, resident, technology aspect
Yunfei Tuan - parent of WHS and PESH, son with possible interest
Lynn
Matt
Susan M.
Likes:
sutomized approach
the idea of choice
totally in favor of PBL framework
love the idea of TEAMS, (particulary Math, Science, English)
training provided to have teachers ready to lead this learning model
PBL and TEAMS fabulous
kids need to be exposed to the global/international
we CATE teachers have been teaching animation/digital and are requesting more courses for elective offerings for
students
pro presentation skills as a part of the academy
I think it's INCREDIBLE - a way to be a 21st century campus, think big, don't be afraid
bias toward PBL bc we see the need for this type of thinking at Frito Lay
enabling students with fundamental skills that they will need in the future
we need it , we need it in East feeder, WHS needs it, we need to attract great learners to the East side
we need an alternative for kiddos who are not IB kiddos
preference for a TEAMS model by 3 table members
extracurricular - you are making this choice and will have to give up something in order to get the academy - you gain
some and lose some, wouldn't be the end of the world to have to give up some choices
Dislikes:
I feel like we get this though the honors and AP track
You need to better communicate why an academy is needed
students not in the academy being left behind - couldn't we do this across our entire district
1000 is usch a small number
I don't see PBL in math
why did the board not approve a course related to presenting - it worries me that academy kids would get something 2 people stated global health as the least favored among the 4 choices
New/Different Ideas:
international themes, you don't have to have an academy to teach international - you're not utilizing our local community
members as experts
We have students who want to graduate early and get out in SPC/program 7 and what are you doing to help them?
encourage a step to reach out to small and large business for mentorships, internships
I want to be able to attract calliber people to my company and the school's reputation helps me
Extracurricular:
transportation - are you opening up a mess with taking them back or should we be offering something special for students
just at that academy
Questions:
What is driving the visioning committee and the project?
a good education of the community is needed
Who is the expert facilitator and what is their agenda (strategic planner?)
Does the IB program look like the International Studies model suggested?
If we're trying to develop a 21st century learning and incorporate tech, math, science, will our 1000s of kiddos not in an
academy get left behind?
would we lose our med sci program in our other high schools if we open a global health academy?
I want to learn more about PBL?
need to communicate this is the beginning, where we learn, seeding for future plans,
is this a magnet school - why or why not?
Are we targeting all students or a select type of honors students?
How will students be selected?
the word "academy" -is that nomenclature now - it could be considered elitest
Are these packaged curriculums? - the core subjects in TEAMS need to be taught, PBL instructional model is a very
effective teaching model, preference for international over medical to have an awareness that we're not an isolated
country, foreign languages
Theresa Biggs and Julie Gregory
What do you like?
Lkes extra curricular activities
likes international focus of academy
liked that it was going to be different, not what is available on other campuses
What do you not care for?
The new tech school terminology was turned off.
New ideas?
Home schooled children should have access to extra curricular as well
Questions?
How will students be determined?
How is this going to be different?
like that it will not have the same curriculum as other campuses
likes the international aspect
have we targeted the need of a changing world?
likes extra curriucular options either on site or at feeder school
discussion opens and focuses on global needs and how this academy may address these needs
new tech school is a plus
concern is that top students will go to the academy and the remaining students will get lost
"Magnet" school impression is making some of the community wary that the school will be for gifted, leaving other behind.
likes the classical education aspect as it will appeal to more students of all levels of motivation and achievement
concern in how to market to all students, not to give an impression of elitism
be careful of emotional charge of the terms "academy" and "magnet"; the point is made that this immediately turns off
members of the community who may not feel included in the process and/or opportunity
Does the committee Wiki feed to the public site? Will this go up?
likes the idea of growing multiple academies at different sites with different focus
Do not lose focus on the child who is least likely to succeed or is at most risk
Money is a concern; how are you going to fund this?
The budgetary decisions must be transparent;much discussion about:
1. What is the academy going to be?
2. How much is it going to cost?
3. Where is it going to be located?
Three most asked questions rumbling through the community.
HUGE point, must be centrally located to enable equal access to all students/families
What were the bonds originally earmarked for before PISD coopted the money for an academy?
Medical/clinical rotations are already in place. No reason to have at academy.
Another voice: concern related to PISD needs to provide more challenges for the high achieving student. Likes the
TEAMS idea.
high achieving students do not get what they need because teachers are preoccupied with the needs of on level and low
level students; Also, discipline is an issue in classrooms which does not allow the high achieving student to get what
he/she needs.
Table agrees that what is offered must be unique.
Performing and Visual Arts Academy is suggested (similar to Booker T. in Dallas).
Suggestion to indicate multiple academy roll out. For example, this year we have TEAMS, then in two years Fine Arts, etc.
The idea is that the community will support a larger master plan
Likes extra curriculars at feeders (social aspect).
IF in hs, integrate students into extra curriculars or allow them to go back to home school .
Cathy Galloway and Angela Miner
Group participants:
Angela Miner
Cathy Galloway
Denice Burke
Michelle Reddy
Karen Quillicy
Heather Saenger
Chris Tien
Annette Maule
Background info:
1. Project based learning teaching strategy, focused on student engagment
utilizing classic curriculum
2. TEAMS + arts component
3. Global Health/Medical
4. International Studies
common factors:
All plus core curriculum
all using project based learning
Discussion
What did you hear that you liked?
project based learning 3 for
lends itself to students with disabilities like dyslexia
hands on learn from each other
Not exclusive...all kids can dom this
What did you hear that you did not like?
do not call it problem based learning
need HS to be exploratory do not pass up the HS experince
do not like that it is not for every child
sounds like the 4 areas are just for high achieving kids
okay with academy only offereing extra curricular that the academy can sustain
TEAMS + ART and the Global Medical & Health will appeal to wide range
afraid lottery system will change from a school of choice to a school of luck
if it is a limited enrollment will be exclusive
Engaging students in the learning
This will not hook or appeal to kids
Does not like In international ...will miss out on HS experience
What would you like to recommned that you did not hear? Something different???
should have Project based learning in every school
must build a culture in the school...not just a mass of humanity
Technical and trade offerings
skill building for competeing in global market
Need to have 3 academies one in each cluster
should all open at one time t\for equality
Lets look at studnet who is not college bound this could offer a real career path open up door to think broader
It is not fair to offer this to a limited number if this is good we should have on all campus
academy for special needs kids like Winston,Fairhill etc....
Need to house the academy at a SHS like PESH
Want to have extra-curriculars,clubs etc could reflect theme or something complettely differeent
What questions do you have?
how will a 9-12 academy function on the same campus as an existing school?
Is it just for high level kids???? Can a middle of the road or learning disabled kid excel here
How would you communicate to a disengaged kid to get him to learn about and get intop the academy
very woried about middle of the road kid...this program not for him.
Will kids earn a certification?
How will this be marketed to the kids??? how will they "know" if this is for them???
If they get in and start failing will they get to go back to neighborhood school?????
how can you cover core in one of these academies
How will we get TEA waivers for all of the integrated, combined courses?
Worried how will you put an academy on a existing campus
Good Work Team.....
Burt Smith and Frances Fass
Group participants:
What we like
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Choice, especially for alternatives to college prep. Build in certfications in vocational fields
Like the Achieve Texas career clusters
Create programs that will teach marketable skills.
Love project/problem based learning (all 6 agree)
Like the TEAMS approach (2 agree)
Like some alternatives to the AP program
What we don't like
College prep in reality, not vocational training
Going to build the students we're already serving
We need something that will provide vocational education to potential dropouts, students with behavior
challenges, those who don't want to go to college, those who are at risk
Start small. 1000 may be ambitious to start.
We should include legal studies.
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What we'd like to add
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Counseling at the middle school level will be a key. They've GOT to understand what their kids' options are.
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Location, location, location. That will be a big consideration. It needs to be centrally located.
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Extra curricular options
Have them participate in extra curriculars at the campus/feeder where academy is located (3 agree)
Otherwise it will depend on what the academy is. If they're going to work, they can't do extra curriculars, for ex.
Spend money on the program, not on ferrying people around for extra curriculars.
Raj Menon and Tommy Osborne
Group participants:Raj Menon/Tommy Osborne
Likes:
TEAMS
International Studies
Global Health
Focus on getting certificates in certain curriculum (med tech)
Dislikes:
one location will deter some from attending if they cannot participate in extra curricular activities
Questions?
Will there be bussing to the school?
How will students be determined who attends?
Lottery?
What clusters (curriculum) have been chosen?
What is the time table for the Academy to open?
Is there a student profile for typical applicant?
Why would a student want to go to this school?
Once in the Academy if you leave and go back to a regular high school what happens? Can you go back after a year?
What is the student/teacher ratio going to be?
Must have current "world" technology, not specific to the U.S. only
How is this different from a Magnet school?
Current clusters appear to be college oriented
Public would like more details posted on Academy, where, how much, etc.
Darin Cline and Bryan Thurman
Group participants: Stephany Sipes, Bryan Thurman, Gretchen Abner, Laura Tate, Leslie Blais, Greg Blais, Linda Walker,
Zirai Xu, June Lee, Min Zhang
What did you hear that you liked?
--PBL is a great fit; Socratic method is a great thing--philosophy
--PBL in general--liked idea of pulling average child's gifts out
--Band and extracurricular activites are important
--Course offerings
--Diversity of students that can be reached
--Appreciated limited student enrollment
--New types of curriculum
--Different from other high schools
--Students want something different; students should stay at traditional schools that don't want new type of learning
--Could turn regular students into gifted students
--Option 4 for academy extracurricular activities
--Different pathways for student learning
--Good for kids that may learn differently
--Interdisciplinary courses
--Community partnerships; lots of opportunities
What did you hear that you didn't like or care for?
--Basics must be taught
--Classes delivered in a PBL manner
--Students should be able to opt of PBL method
--Extracurricular concern
--Not a huge fan of TEAMS--everyone is pushing this; different and unique ideas
--Don't like conversations about competition--world, other countries, etc.
--Doesn't like discussion about education and global economy
Something new and different that you brought tonight?
--So few fine arts academies; bring in performing and visual arts academy
--More ways to graduate from high school and not have to go straight into college
--Certification
--Eventually go to college, but get a skills--employable
Questions?
--When we look at industrial leaders, there is a huge disconnect between what kids are being taught and expectations of
businesses. Where is the link?
--How will students that need accomodations be able to work in an academy setting?
--How do you satisfy college requirements within an academy?
--How will school teach the basics?
--Delivery method of curriculum?
--Attach academy to a specific senior high school?
--Selection process to determine students that are allowed to enter the academy?
--Do we start with all four grades? Just 9th grade?
--Is there a necesity to create this academy?
Kip Jameson and Christine Miller
Group participants:
What would the class size be? Wanting smaller class sizes.
School would have all the same subjects, just taught in a different way.
Would there be AP classes?
Without AP, you wouldn't have the same GPA possibilities for college admissions.
How does this new model fit into college admissions processes?
Extracurricular - be a part of the school they would be housed in for
Problem with special school inside another - conflict, not a cohesive environment, haves and have nots, fights, - better to
have housed in another facility (this parent was in a magnet program [math & science] in a school within a school and saw
these types of problems)
Maybe not have the sports, band, etc., but have their own social events.
Clubs would probably spontaneously pop up.
Things they liked:
like a smaller, specialized, target school. In their neighborhood, 33-45% are unhappy with PISD because of the
large class & school size - looking at other school districts or private schools.
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Self-motivation & drive - responsibility aspect of it
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Vertical pathway, early college, if you already know what you're interested in.
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Idea of more advanced technology in the classroom - leveraging it for study
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Things they didn't like:
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Housed in another campus - would prefer it having its own facility - could they be integrated with inter-school
challenges? The mixing during lunch and other school wide events a problem. The school within a school has the
potential for being ostracized.
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New ideas:
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Is this going to infiltrate through the entire school district?
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How is this going to integrate into college admissions. Our participant was in the TAMS program - could they
get dual credit with colleges or universities?
Adrian Rodriguez and Narayani Shaastri
Group participants:
community member concerned about property value, and parent/ex PISD council PTA president.
1. What do you like about the draft recommendations?
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They like the idea of smaller schools.
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Extracurricular activities should be essential and available, especially varsity level, etc.
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I love the idea of PBL!!! And, we need to have it at all schools!!!
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Love the idea of 9 - 12
2. What do you NOT like about the draft recommendations?
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There was mention about using the California Ed. System as a framework and we as committee members could
not answer the question.
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What are the benchmarks and from where did scores come from that indicate improvement in PBL?
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How about doing a 'word cloud' or a survey monkey to get feedback from the students? Would they consider
leaving their home school?
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Some options regarding extracurricular not being available is concerning.
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High achieving students' needs not met.
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Committee has a lopsided East cluster representation.
3 What new/different ideas would you like to suggest?
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Why not have something for the highest achieving kids? (Ex. 9th graders that take AP Calculus are at the top of
their math classes, so what is available for them after that?) Maybe we should look at a TAMS school. Have one in
Jasper modeled after TAMS for West Cluster
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How would this affect the top 10% issue?
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I would like to see an emphasis on legal/social justice and citizenship.
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Incorporate concepts of ethics and accountability, not just as money making marketing presentations in PBL.
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Plano always rolls out 3 schools such as early childhood schools - would like to see an Academy in each cluster
with different themes or atleast the same to begin with. need to alleviate population issue at Plano West with Jasper
feeding into West.
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Need high level competitive school for the high achieving students.
Questions:
A. Can the idea of PBL be integrated into all schools?
B. Have we looked at the colleges will view PBL learning?
C. How will the community be involved in the final decision? Especially as it may relate to funding & location. Is it
appropriate to consider an academy considering funding issues.
D. Will there be realignment issues involved for particular schools?
E. Instead of starting ONE academy, we should look at starting ONE in EACH cluster?
F. Place comments on the public website.
G. Concerned that high achieving students who make up a large percentage of PISD students were not represented in the
student panel.
Jason Beck and Roxanne Burleson
Group participants:
Likes:
problem-based learning, group activities
must have access to extracurriculars
**utilizing the community members/services to provide support to the academy (CRUCIAL)
Mentorship with someone actually working in the workforce
TEAMS with International (TEAMS program has the greatest avenue for future success)
Presentations and communication are key to future success of students
Non-traditional floor plans and design
Dislikes:
International studies may overlap with IB program
Excluding the extracurriculars
Suggestions:
Could we incorporate animal services into this program somehow?
An emphasis on business members who act as teachers. The teachers should have business experience as well as
qualifications to teach these real-world scenarios associated with PBL.
The diverse community could help defend the TEAMS program.
Special education programs must be available for the students attending the academy.
Questions:
What type of career guidance will be given? Career readiness vs. college prep. How will partnerships be formed?
Liz Cornell and Susan Dantzler
Group participants:
Joan Toplicar
Susan Dantzler
Danelle Ballard, parent
Susan Dahl, parent
Terri Hamilton, teacher in PISD
Marie, parent
1. What do you like about the draft recommendations?
We like the continunity of a 9-12 school. Two of the parents have a child who struggles with school, and they think
staying in one school would be a benefit because of the consistency.
One parent has a student who likes to think out of the box so PBL would be good. A student who is good in STEM things
would be interested in a STEM school. Don't think Plano school has an engineering focus in a high school, or a science
focus.
Kids learn from other kids; PBL facilitates this kind of learning.
Group learning is good but need to make sure all students in a group are doing their share. Problem with project that has
to be done out of school.
Like the language focus & take advantage of the community we have in Plano.
Think that a lot of students in Plano would like to go to an academy.
It would be better if the academy were a stand alone school rather than a school within a school. There are schools with
both a regular school and an academy, and the extra curricular activity problem is lessened.
2. What do you not like about the draft recommendations?
Is there going to be a place for special ed at an academy?
Extra curricular opportunity is of concern. Could you do baseball? Wouldn't be able to transport students to participate in
music at a home program. It is very important to keep the extra-curricular options open for students. It would be a shame
if "music" students can't be involved in the academy. The global-health idea seems very specific for 13 year old. Plano's
existing program serves health careers well. Some kids already do clinical rotation at a work site. The academy should
serve a population that is not currently served. Math and science focus is broader and there is less opportunity in Plano
at this time. International Business is a sound-good idea, but not appropriate for young high school students.
Many students get their identity from the extra-curricular activity they participate in. Maybe the academy might have a
group identity, but it wouldn't be enough. It is important to keep these opportunities available. Maybe not an orchestra,
but a jazz band, or a drum line.
3. What new/different ideas would you like to suggest?
Even students at CCCC don't have the career focus in engineering.
A course that exposes students to different kinds of engineering.
There is no vo-tech option being considered?? Wouldn't this be for a group of students that aren't being served? Classic
vocational like auto tech, and others in which you earn a certificate. Currently some of the classes don't get offered
because there aren't enough students at one campus. In an academy there could be enough students.
4, Questions
How do you have accountablity in a PBL environment to avoid the slacker effect? How do you do assessment in that kind
of school? We explained the facilitator role.)
Disappointed that Plano doesn't teach Spanish at the elementary school.
How do you select students? How will they select if too many students apply?
Would there be any attempt to be ethnically diverse?
Could it be located in a middle school? It you had a school-within-a-school would there be a stigma? Some students
would be learning in a different way. Would they be treated differently? How would it fit--literally?
Alicia Huppe and Karen McDonald
1. What do you like about the draft recommendations?
Like the idea of international focus. Question: what does a "career focus" mean?
Education has to change, the 21st century requires learning differently - with technology. Information is faster. Need to
make education that way; intuitive; to create an atmosphere where they can "dig in" , to see how far they can go.
I like the problem-based learning. Put them in a situation where they're allowed to "go for it"
I like the problem-based learning but have a lot of questions, Will students earn grades, credits like at the other schools?
What is the admission criteria? Is it for the academically excellent students? I recommend 50% on tests, 50% on
projects (maybe technological projects) - like a portfolio.
All the focus areas seem promising but especially the PBL.
2. What do you not like about the draft recommendations?
Focus areas seem small (narrow) for 1000 students. I like the TEAMS idea since it's broader. Others seem more limited.
Did not cover the requirements, grades, admission criteria, etc.
Students would be going into the new system - PBL - not knowing if it's good for the individual student or not. They're
there for one year and want to go back. They have a significant problem going back to the traditional 10th grade. PISD
is very competitive; very difficult to move back once they get there. Have to be very careful in selecting the students.
Have to go mostly on the teacher recommendation, since they know the students, how they learn. This is experiential
learning - takes a special students. Maybe a workshop , before the 9th grade to let the student experience something
similar. This could be a part of the selection process.
Suggestion: have one teacher follow the student from the 5th grade through the 8th so the teacher can made a sound
recommendation for the student. Like some of the private schools do. "Watch" for students who could be successful in
this environment.
Plano has so many specialized health facilities; good to take advantage of all the opportunities. Students in the health
focus could take advantage of all the specialized centers and specialists. Locale, proximity makes these available. Take
advantage of what is here
3. What new/different ideas would you like to suggest?
Want to make the students ready for international learning - that is missing in the learning of our students now.
Understand the global world. Expand the international focus. Can get the health based experience and education some
place else. Important to get the international basis.
The international experience is missing. We have an international culture in Plano but no international experience in the
learning. Such a benefit for PISD. Study abroad, foreign exchange - would be a great experience for our children
growing up in an international community.
Recommend more math and science focus in general! Higher expectations in math and science from the academy.
Plano has so many specialized health facilities; good to take advantage of all the opportunities. Students in the health
focus could take advantage of all the specialized centers and specialists. Locale, proximity makes these available. Take
advantage of what is here.
Tracy Hurst and Suzanne Drotman
Group participants:Suzanne Drotman, Tracey Hurst, Chris Jacobs, Gail Stelter, Elena Walsh, Susan Dollar,
1. What do you like about the draft recommendations?
The concept of the environment that is being created including a focus on technology. The idea that they are in a collegelike setting, learning core subjects focused in a more mature learning environment.
The special emphasis with new delivery methods.
Mentoring programs.
Connections to real-world programs.
The general curriculum using PBL as opposed to focusing too much on a particular content or career.
2. What do you not like about the draft recommendations?
Lottery or another selection process could prohibit interested kids from attending.
3. What new/different ideas would you like to suggest?
Question - do we have to stay within the confines of a set budget and limit the number of students (if there are more
interested).
Will they have what they need for college by the time they leave high school?
Janice LaRue and Joe Fawcett
Group participants:
What did you like about presentation?
Like international business focus opportunity.
Likes TEAMS. Maybe combine TEAMS and International Business.
Flexibility very welcome. Likes the idea of interdisciplinary.
Like the overall idea.
What about extracurricular?
Don't think extra curricula activities will be as important if able to attend choice school. (one of 4 attendees was torn on
this and somewhat supported option 4)
Should offer extracurricula activities to balance rigorous study.
One feeder school for extracurricular activities based on proximity. (3 of 4 attendees preferred this)
Rank order about topics from most supported to least (4 guests)
1. International Business
2. TEAMS
3. New Tech
4. Global Health
Concerns / Other Thoughts
Abandon rank in class other than as required by state. One attendee very adamant.
What is the real intent of this school? Is it career training or is it prep for college? Won't that issue affect student market
and programs? One may be more application oriented and the other more research oriented.
What other teaching methods were researched?
Which focus is committee leaning towards?
Will there be addition fees to attend this school?
Will there be a qualification/ selection process?
Will students be able to exit if they don't like it?
What about rising juniors who realize they wish that they HAD chosen this. Will they be able to transfer in?
How will you recruit, hire, and pay these teachers and/or specialists to support the speciallized curriculum?
Will TAKS and end of course still apply?
will an interdisciplinary curriculum fit EOC?
Adding this because a parent remarked after laptop was turned in:
Location is important - should be in central area. East side has IB program.
Aggie Stryker and Paul Weaver
Group participants:
Terese Damico
Aggie Stryker
Paul Weaver
Ning Chen
Allison Lefevre
Alice Turlington
Greg Young
High level of study--How do you judge the effectiveness of the courses/program?
3 option - are we going to have all options or will we choose one of them for the academy.
We should focus on one strand.
Is there anything similar -- we mentioned school districts
Do students choose an area to study?
What students are eligible to attend?
How long have programs been in placed?
Why at this time do we want this type of program?
Want a clear definition of what kind of student, what kind of programs.
Parents said they needed more information before discussion.
Parent commented that she has heard it will be at Williams. How we implement in this school? Will Williams go away?
Will IB, AP, Honors classes be offered?
How will courses affect grade point averages?
How will courses affect class rank in comparison to other schools?
How would academy affect a school? If the academy is attached to a school - how would it affect this school?
How will students have time for all curriculum subjects?
Why are we doing this for just one academy? Why don't we use it for all students in our existing schools
Still confused on purpose and mission.
Asked about research on does this work? Data? Data?
Enrollment - what does it look like? How will students be selected?
Very concerned about cost of project?
If students enroll in program - do students have option to go back?
Will students go down a certain path or will they have options.
Suggestion - make it two year program Junior and Senior
Students would have better ideas at that time.
Content - should be deeper
Parent wants it to be for highly achieveing students.
Wants to keep activities community spirit - have students go back to home campus
Very concerned about how this will affect other senior highs
What will be the draw to attend?
Some parents want it to be an elietest school while some parents do not,
Does not want a magnet school for careers
liked-preparing for college and careers
Interwoven courses
Expanding projects
Working environment
Attract students with different learning styles
Ranneh Kayfan and Jean Parmer
Group participants: Jean Parmer (facilitator) and Ranneh Kayfan (scribe). Joined another table.
Meeting to begin at 7 PM.
Location: PSHS
Main points to share with the table from the presentation:
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School of choice for grades 9-12.
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Provide college readiness and career readiness.
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Max. of 1,000 student.
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Several extracurricular activity options to consider -- 4 options at this time..
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Use existing site in PISD.
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Final decision is with the Board of Trustees.
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Problem-based learning model.
o PBL is really a teaching strategy.
o Apply to classic curriculum currently available in PISD.
o Apply to career areas such as TEAMS (AchieveTexas career cluster).
o Apply to global health / medical (AchieveTexas career cluster).
o Apply to international studies.
o Special skill sets are required.
o Teaching and schedules are dyanamic.
Guiding questions to consider:
1. What did you hear that you liked?
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International component because there are many international families.
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Study of world histories in a meaningful way
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Language immersion
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Variety of courses that would be offered.
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Career preparation
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These concepts should make their way into all of the schools.
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Incorportating the arts.
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Global citizen in context of the world - not just Plano.
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Problem-based learning.
Dual credit if available.
2. What did you hear that you did not particularly like?
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Not enough career prep. such as plumbing, auto-mechanic.
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Sounding like gifted/talented which may make it very competitive.
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Straight vocational track may cause students to pick a path that limits their future choices.
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Freshmen making a choice is too soon so they need to have exposure to lots of topics.
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Do not like the fact that 4x4 core content has to be incorporated because some students struggle with particular
topics such as math and science.
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Some PBL content can be off the mark for some students because they are not getting the basics.
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"Academy" as a name.
3. What input and/or suggesions do you have to share?
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Some topics lend themselves to PBL such as community relations.
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Flexible timing during the day.
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Flexible timing in the year.
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Extra-curricular activity is very important to students.
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Should have the same extra-curricular activities they have on their own campus.
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Can have 6-man football teams like some small towns in Texas.
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Small school may allow other students to join an extra-curricular activity that they couldn't get into at their home
school because there was too much competition.
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PBL could have the potential to touch on very heated topics.
4. What questions do you have?
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How will students be admitted into the school?
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Will there be an application process for each student?
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How do we identify those students who should be on a "career track" and who should be on a "college path?"
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Should students even be put on these tracks which may not fit them in a few years?
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Where did PBL orginate?
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Provide statistics for PBL success rate.
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Will the academy follow the traditional calendar?
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Will we start with 250 9th grades in 2012 because we can't simply put seniors in there? This will affect extracurricular.
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Will the IB program be moved or affected?
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How will this affect the IB program?
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Will the best teachers be pulled?
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Will there be a dual credit component?
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