A new way to prioritize the curriculum in schools was proposed to the Appoquinimink Board of Education at its meeting June 9.
Debbie Panchisin, curriculum director for elementary education, said “Power Curriculum” focuses on prioritizing the areas of study that are most essential for educators to teach to students.
She said it aligns what is taught and tested in the state and provides information in clear, understandable terms and in depth, so everyone knows exactly what to teach and what students should learn.
“The Power Curriculum Tool provides schools and districts with a ‘complete package’ that allow the district to transform state standards into advanced organizers, units and lessons,” Panchisin said.
She said superintendents in the state were presented the initiative from Learning Focused, an instructional products company. Superintendents entered into a partnership with Learning Focused to prioritize the Delaware State standards.
The complete package includes standards and vocabulary to be taught, grade level expectations and allows teachers to select questions to assess student understanding.
She said during the 2008-2009 school year, Learning Focused provided a two-day training for math, science and social studies teachers and a three-day training for language teachers.
Panchisin’s stated in a presentation to the board, a team of four to five teachers per grade level met in content area groups to prioritize the current curriculum.
Grade level teams will be reassembled during the summer to finalize the curriculum. It will be loaded onto the Learning Focused Web site, www.learningfocused.com, once school chiefs and the Learning Focused team approve it.
Teachers in Delaware will have access to the curriculum and be able to use the information to develop specific study and lessons.
New electronic application system
Matt Fallis, human resources director for the district, said a new electronic application system will be set up for the Office of Human Resources.
He said in the past, some applicants would lie about their transcripts and degrees, and human resources would play phone tag with contacting an applicant’s references.
“Before, everything was put on a lot of paper,” Fallis said. “It was a waste of time and energy.”
He said now applicants interested in working for the district can apply through the online electronic system.
“Applicants complete one application that is good for one year,” Fallis said. “They can log in to update it at any time.”
He said the jobs are posted for prospective applicants and each must create a user name and password. After applying, applicants will receive feedback automatically through email on whether their application has been received.
Fallis said the system sorts out what the administrators want from applicants and administrators state whether or not they want to see an applicant.
“We have more than 4,000 applications in the system right now,” Fallis said.
The online system will prevent out-of-date information from applicants and compiles references, transcripts, resumes and cover letters.
Fallis said people who do not have computer access are able to come into human resources and staff will help the applicants set up an application through the system.
Construction update
Bob Hershey, buildings and facilities supervisor for the district, said summer projects and renovations at Silver Lake Elementary, Cedar Lane Elementary, Louis L. Redding Middle and Bunker Hill Elementary schools have begun.
“The projects have started in earnest,” he said.
Hershey said an under drain will be added to the pond in front of Bunker Hill Elementary School.
The rear of the building has small columns, which match the large front columns.
“We still need to paint the columns in the front white,” he said.
The stage floor in the cafetorium will be a hard wood floor. The media center desk has been installed in the library.
Odessa, Del. —
