http://www.michigancityin.com/articles/200.../28/news/n3.txt
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Teachers should have input in curriculum decision, union says
By Deborah Sederberg, The News-Dispatch
Although the middle school curriculum has been a hot topic of conversation and debate among parents, students and teachers, the board of the Michigan City Area Schools on Tuesday tabled a final vote on a curriculum policy proposed by board member Beryle Burgwald.
“This would put teachers on notice that a curriculum change is in the offing and give them an opportunity to give their input,” Burgwald said, describing his proposal. “But it in no way relinquishes the administration's managerial rights or responsibilities.”
Burgwald said he and other board members have received letters recently from teachers concerned about the middle school curriculum, on which teachers were not consulted.
At the request of the board, Michigan City Education Association President Phyllis Stark spoke to the board on the issue.
“With the middle school changes, there has been no opportunity for input from the teachers,” she said. The more common procedure, however, has included a conversation between teachers and administrators.
Stark said she is fully aware that the administration has the full and final responsibility for making curriculum decisions.
Usually, she said, the administration contacts Stark about possible curriculum changes and Stark puts out a notice to ask for volunteer teachers to sit on a committee to make recommendations to the administration.
“We currently have teachers meeting to discuss a uniform policy, the attendance policy and a self-contained sixth-grade classroom,” she said.
No one, however, asked for input about the middle school curriculum, she said.
“Why wouldn't the administration want to hear our recommendations?” Stark asked. “We are the ones who teach these students. We are the ones who have a passion for teaching. We are the ones the administration sends to workshops and seminars to learn how to be more effective teachers.”
Board member Rick Carlson made a motion to table the matter until the next board meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 10.
Board President Jeff Jones and Secretary Kathryn Lee were absent from Tuesday's meeting and Carlson said he would like to see all board members present for the discussion.
By Deborah Sederberg, The News-Dispatch
Although the middle school curriculum has been a hot topic of conversation and debate among parents, students and teachers, the board of the Michigan City Area Schools on Tuesday tabled a final vote on a curriculum policy proposed by board member Beryle Burgwald.
“This would put teachers on notice that a curriculum change is in the offing and give them an opportunity to give their input,” Burgwald said, describing his proposal. “But it in no way relinquishes the administration's managerial rights or responsibilities.”
Burgwald said he and other board members have received letters recently from teachers concerned about the middle school curriculum, on which teachers were not consulted.
At the request of the board, Michigan City Education Association President Phyllis Stark spoke to the board on the issue.
“With the middle school changes, there has been no opportunity for input from the teachers,” she said. The more common procedure, however, has included a conversation between teachers and administrators.
Stark said she is fully aware that the administration has the full and final responsibility for making curriculum decisions.
Usually, she said, the administration contacts Stark about possible curriculum changes and Stark puts out a notice to ask for volunteer teachers to sit on a committee to make recommendations to the administration.
“We currently have teachers meeting to discuss a uniform policy, the attendance policy and a self-contained sixth-grade classroom,” she said.
No one, however, asked for input about the middle school curriculum, she said.
“Why wouldn't the administration want to hear our recommendations?” Stark asked. “We are the ones who teach these students. We are the ones who have a passion for teaching. We are the ones the administration sends to workshops and seminars to learn how to be more effective teachers.”
Board member Rick Carlson made a motion to table the matter until the next board meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 10.
Board President Jeff Jones and Secretary Kathryn Lee were absent from Tuesday's meeting and Carlson said he would like to see all board members present for the discussion.