There has been so much news the home page is getting really crowded!
We will move home page updates to this page as new information becomes available.
PDE MEETING
On May 2, 2012, several representatives from Central Bucks Engage met with five representatives from PDE regarding the alleged curriculum deficiencies in the middle school schedule change plan. The PDE representatives were high ranking decision makers and the meeting lasted well over an hour; we were very appreciative to receive so much of their time and to have our concerns met in a serious manner.
We are attaching detailed minutes from the meeting here, and are including highlights from the meeting below. Suffice it to say that PDE will be continuing to investigate and the plan remains on conditional approval as it now stands.
• Districts can have computer applications skills integrated/infused in all classrooms.
• There is definitely a Business, Computer and Information Technology certification (BCIT). It is a K-12 certification.
• A BCIT certification IS NOT REQUIRED for teachers to have students integrate these skills. For instance, if a math teacher has the students develop graphs or an English teacher has the students make a power point, a separate certification is not required.
• A BCIT certification IS REQUIRED for teachers to teach the software or skills. For instance, a math teacher may not be the primary source of learning Excel and an English teacher may not be the primary source of learning Web Design or Power Point if they are not BCIT certified.
• PDE will not allow teachers to teach curriculum that they are not certified to teach.
• There is not a time limit on how long P/E needs to be. The district does need to ensure that the curriculum in state code is met, regardless of the time in which students receive P/E (i.e. 1 semester or all year).
• There was an interest by PDE in the fact that under the new plan 8th grade students could go without P/E and that 9th grade P/E could be deferred.
• We expressed a concern over 8th and 9th grade PEN becoming electives and that 8th grade PEN was now officially becoming an “Art” class to comply with 4.22 which would put it out of compliance with Chapter 16. The response was somewhat guarded but surprised.
• PDE authority is limited in our case to the curriculum deficiencies, furloughs and any certification issues that arise once curriculum has been re-written.
• PDE needs to approve any application for furlough before it happens.
Best practices in School Communication. Click here
April 5th Update on PDE letter and other news. Click here
IT'S ONLY 20 PEOPLE!
Did you know it is only about 20 people who are concerned about the proposed changes to the middle school schedule? At least that is what recent comments by board members will try and lead you to believe. Of course we know that hundreds of district stakeholders are opposed to the middle school plan. Don’t accept this dismissive behavior by the people who are elected to represent you! Continue to contact board members and your principal with your questions and click here to read more
Read the powerpoint
We created a powerpoint that refutes the middle school plan and presented it to the board and public on 3/27. Click here for the powerpoint
The Teacher Survey
Our teachers needed our support. CB Engage hosted a survey for district teachers to voice their opinion on the middle school schedule change. The results contradict statements made at the March 13th board meeting. Read the survey results here