Focus Group Meeting/Curriculum and Instruction
Modesto Evening Group

8/26/04

WASC meeting: Curriculum and Instruction

In attendance: Cher Silva, Ruth Womack (secretary), Melinda Cox, Becky Rasmussen

We reviewed where we are with regard to suggestions that have been made over the past year.

1. We ‚ve developed the benchmarks, we test out to see grade levels. It helps the ES know ability level. We have English and Math benchmarks in parent-friendly language and Edusoft tests now, will add Science and History in future. We have tests for grades 2-11. ESs will take exams to students having no Internet access.

2. Regarding strategies for bringing the parent community together to improve communication: we have Back to School Night, Parent Council, Field Trips, Crafts; Parent council consists of 29 Parents.

3. Our learning centers are very important. They offer options for the families. We have two centers, one in Stanislaus County and one in San Joaquin County, those counties having the largest population of students. The centers offer many classes. The centers also have outside vendors providing classes for our students and training for those parents who care to attend.

4. Addition professional growth development this past year included: CTAP classes to help with computer, Standards Guidelines, monthly curriculum trainings for parents, Edusoft, Benchmark, Parent List Serve, new parent orientations.

Recommendations included: AESS students be required to attend a weekly study group where they can experience peer tutoring and have curriculum questions answered (Melinda is aware of this being necessary in another school); community service be required for graduation. We have a great need to have a parent representative attend our meetings. Is there a responsible parent available to commit to this?

A comment was made that the Benchmarks are excellent, but the testing schedule is too accelerated. How do we keep from stressing out motivated students who want to do well? We did not have an answer for this.