HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-01-13-LHS-min
Lexington High School
Lexington, Massachusetts 02421
251 Waltham Street
Laura J. Lasa
781- 861-2320, ext. 1002
Principal
email: lasa@sch.ci.lexington.ma.us
fax: 781-861-2440
Minutes: The Lexington High School Council
From: Laura J Lasa
Re: January 13, 2014
LHS School Site Council Meeting was held on January 13, 2014, from 6:15-7:45 PM in
the LHS Guidance Conference Room, 154.
Attendance: Laura Lasa, Nanying Bian, Kim Effron, Suzanne Lau, Ann Redmon, Bob
Ruxin, Paul Breitenfield, Kristin Tissera, Jessica Zhu, Eileen Jay, Nancy Shepard, Walter
Richardson, Dave Wininger, Katherine Murphy. Jessica Zhu, Jill Smilow,
Elizabeth Curtin
December 16, 2013 Minutes approved
I.6:15
II. Announcements 6:20
a.Proposed change to the Technology Capital Budget from Tom Plati
(Director of Technology: Currently the budget includes $270K for 500
iPads (1-1 initiative for the incoming Freshman class). In response to the
Student Senate, the proposed changes include delaying the 1-1 initiative to
2016, ordering more iPads on carts as pilot programs for 2014, and rolling
out iPads in both Grade 8 and 9 in 2015. Additional discussion included
considering iPad vs laptops, alternatives to Apple products, surveying
pilot program participants and polling neighboring school districts for
their technology rollout experiences (e.g. Bedford, Burlington).
b.The Big Lex Debate Tournament will be hosted by the LHS Debate Club
at LHS this weekend. More local accommodation is needed for the visiting
students. Over 1000 students are typically housed by the local debate
community. Bob Ruxin will prepare an announcement that will be posted
on the LHS website this week asking for community volunteers to house
students.
c.Parent/Teacher Conferences will be re-scheduled on Tuesday, February 4.
Students will be dismissed at 11:15 am. A detailed announcement will be
posted on the LHS Website tomorrow. Appointments between 1:00 Ã 6:00
p.m. will be rolled over from January 2. Appointments between 6:00 Ã
7:30 p.m. will be re-scheduled by contacting the teacher or parent doing so
on-line.
Old Business
III. 6:30
A.Dialogue on Honors Level Courses (Pros & Cons list)
Followed recommendation from January meeting to make a table looking at
honors class offerings by grade level, discipline and course:
Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12
Math Honors Honors -Honors -No Honors
-2 AP Calculus
-AP Statistics
Science Honors Env. -No Honors AP Chem (2) AP Physics
Science -AP Bio Honors Elective (2 cr)
World Honors/AP Honors/APHonors/APHonors/AP
Language
English Unleveled Honors Honors Unleveled
Social Studies Unleveled -No Honors -No Honors -Honors in all electives
-AP World -AP U.S. except Facing History
-Honors in -Honors in -AP Electives
electives electives
Performing Arts Honors w/ Honors w/ Honors w/ Honors w/
Audition Audition Audition only Audition only
only only
Fine Arts No Honors No HonorsNo HonorsNo Honors
The table reflects input from School Council and Department Leaders
Pros
Promotes stretch
Less pressure to take an AP class, preventing a large leap
Teacher recommendation criteria less stringent than AP
Flexibility of pace and content for teachers (not required to adhere to the AP curriculum)
Homogeneous student population (less differentiation for teachers?)
An alternative to AP in substance
The number of class periods is more than AP
Flexibility for a student to move down from AP
An Honors level course can be a first pass course for AP
Cons
Homogeneous student population
The Advanced Earth Science course is as difficult as an AP class
Lose sight of the Level I courses/students
Additional teacher prep
Implications on scheduling and teacher allocation
Balancing differentiation with enrichment
Questions
How do we prevent Honors courses from being the next stressor?
How do we distinguish a recommendation to Honors from a recommendation to
AP?
Who determines the scope and pace of an Honors course? How would an Honors
class differ from an AP class?
How do we balance the varying ÇdefinitionsÈ and perceptions of rigor in a course?
New Business
IV.
A.Mid-Year Update on School Improvement Plan
Plan distributed; will be reviewed at the February meeting
B.Homework Value & Scope: Discussion tabled until February meeting
Identify intended outcomes of HW (value)
Identify unintended outcomes of HW
Horizontal alignment of HW (scope)
IV. Adjournment 7:45