Curriculum Committee

Monday, September 18, 2006

 

  • Sign-in and make introductions

 

    • Present; Mae Gilbert, J. Lewis, J. Coleman, S. Coutas, S. Brennan, K. LeBlanc

 

  • Review last year’s work

 

    • Business and Finance Academy
      • Mae reported that it’s up and running
      • New classes are in place
      • Few students are from sending schools, which is a problem
      • Montpelier satellite program is not up and running yet
      • Not all students taking B&F classes are in the academy and classes are mixed
      • Internship possible for academy students
      • Capstone project still in the development
      • Currently revising the structure of the entrepreneurship class for students in the tech programs

 

    • Academy Work Group Checklist
      • Checklist was created last year for the development of new academies
      • Some confusion over what makes the academy concept different
      • Need to add a more clearly defined definition of academy to the checklist
      • Jeff M. tied in the definition with the mission statement.

 

    • Science, Math and Engineering Academy
      • The Boston Museum of Science created curriculum relevant to this committee
      • The curriculum is currently being Beta tested here at SHS BTC

 

  • Goals for 2006 – 2007 school year

 

    • Check on Freshman Academy Progress
      • Mae and John believe that a “Civics” class should be required

 

    • Evaluation and issues with the B&F Academy as they arise
      • Make sure that an Entrepreneurship class is offered for students in the tech program
      • Work with Montpelier to set up a satellite program
      • Increase enrollment from sending schools

 

    • Evaluation of the Boston Museum of Science Curriculum field test
      • Have Miranda V. report and comment on the Beta test

 

    • Development of the Science, Math and Engineering Academy
      • Implementation in the next two years…

 

    • Development of guidelines for creating elective courses
      • How to create an elective course
      • Requirements to set up
      • Student prereq’s
      • Resources needed

 

    • Addition of the Auto Trades Program
      • Running at capacity; limited space an issue for all Tech programs
      • Maybe work in collaboration with a nonprofit business in Barre

 

  • Agenda for next meeting
    • Wednesday, October 11 at 7:35 AM
    • We will discuss guidelines for creating elective courses
    • Come prepared with ideas