2007-10-19 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CHARLOTTESVILLE CITY COULD WILL BE HELD ON Friday, October 19, 2007 AT 12:00 noon IN THE Basement Conference Room. THE PROPOSED AGENDA IS AS FOLLOWS: Luncheon meeting with School Board BY ORDER OF THE MAYOR BY Jeanne Cox BASEMENT CONFERENCE ROOM – October 19, 2007 Council met in special session on this date with the following members present: Dr. Brown, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Taliaferro. In response to a previous request by Dr. Brown that the Schools respond to how they teach American Indian history, Ms. Katherine Prather, Charlottesville High School th 10 grade world history teacher, explained that American Indian history is integrated throughout all history courses, but is not a main focus of the state’s curriculum. Mr. Lynch asked how much latitude the schools have to make history specific to Charlottesville, and Ms. Prather said that can be done within Virginia history as long as the rest of the curriculum is covered. Dr. Brown said that there has been some concern expressed by the public about the Lewis and Clark statues presenting a dated and one sided view of American Indians, and the question arose out of that concern. He asked if advanced placement history classes provide an opportunity to spend more time on the subject. Ms. Prather said yes, but she assumes not very in depth. Dr. Brown asked if there are electives at CHS in history, and Ms. Prather said th only 12 grade European history. She said electives in the past have included the Civil War and international relations. Ms. Julie Gronlund, School Board member, asked if there is an opportunity to do something “out of the box” after the SOLs are completed in May. Ms. Prather said yes, to some extent, but there are exam reviews and exams after the SOLs. She said some teachers have argued for a project rather than an exam. Mr. Lynch said the criticism is mostly about art reflecting the attitudes of the th 1920’s. Mr. Lynch asked if he thought there would be interest in 11 grade history classes discussing who or what could be included in art that reflected updated history. th Ms. Prather said this is a good time to mention that there is a 9 grade history project that provides differential credits earned in the same class, different tests, the same finish line, but different approaches. Mr. Lynch said there ought to be empirical data that that works, and Ms. Prather said that test data shows improvement and there is also anecdotal evidence. Mr. Jim Henderson, Assistant Superintendent for Administration, discussed creating environmental for digital learners. He said learners are different today. st Ms. Gertrude Ivory, Associate Superintendent, said that 21 century skills include: digital age literacy; inventive thinking; effective communication and high productivity. Ms. Maria Lewis, Coordinator of Technology Integration, reviewed what is st currently happening in the schools to address the need for 21 century skills.