In response to a message to Charles on ...
CB>CB> Improve the standards so that students never reach graduation, or 
CB>CB> even 12th grade, until they are able to read and write at the 12th 
CB>CB> grade level.  My point exactly - we need a a yardstick at every 
CB>CB> grade level to ensure that children do not progress until they have 
CB>CB> mastered the work at that level.
CB>How about doing away with "grade levels" and have every teacher in
CB>elementary responsible for an age range, (called vertical grouping 
CB>elsewhere).
Sounds rather gimmicky.  In what manner do you see this improving 
instruction and learning?
CB>How about a K-2 class--the teacher keeps the same students for 
CB>three years?
We had some teachers try it in our district and they hated it - gave 
it up after just a couple of years.  I suppose it may be related to 
personality and philosophy.  If it works, do it.
CB>Could this be done at higher levels?  Sure it could.
Again, if the teachers are flexible enough.  It means, of course, 
that the teacher has to develop completely new lesson plans, 
materials, projects, and styles every year - sort of like being a 
brand new teacher every year.  No one would develop any sense of 
expertise with their subject matter - the physics major would have 
to teach biology and the chemistry major would have to teach earth 
science.  I honestly don't think it sounds very good - sort of 
gimmicky.  I guess I'd like to see it tested out on a small scale 
before it was tried on a large scale.
Chuck Beams
cbeams@dreamscape.com
http://www.dreamscape.com/cbeams
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