Timberlane parents unhappy with strategic plan

New Hampshire

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January 30, 2009

Parents react to draft plan

By Margo Sullivan

PLAISTOW, N.H. — The principal of Timberlane Regional High is quashing rumors his school will stop teaching Advanced Placement and accelerated classes.

Principal Donald Woodward responded yesterday to questions raised by some parents, who are worried their children will only be offered basic courses.

One of the parents, Peter Bealo of Plaistow, is drawing attention to the word "non-leveled" in a new draft of the school district's strategic plan. The draft, which is not final and has not been adopted, is available through a link on the district's Web site.

"It says by 2012 all classes will be non-leveled," Bealo said.

Bealo said non-leveled means all the classes will be taught at the same level. The goal is for the whole district from kindergarten through 12th grade, he said, but it means the high school will drop college preparatory classes and AP courses.

But that's not the case, Woodward said yesterday. Accelerated and AP classes will still be offered. In fact, Timberlane may add three new AP classes.

But the district also wants to include special education students in regular classrooms and give all the youngsters the opportunity to succeed.

Also, educators want to review the way accelerated classes are offered, he said. In some cases, the course work is no more challenging than the college preparatory class assignments, he said.

Students should not be earning extra credit for those classes merely because the best students are in the class.

Parents have until today to make comments on the draft. Bealo was upset the deadline for comments was so brief. Many parents had not heard about the strategic plan, which the School Board has not yet discussed. Also, looking at next year's course catalog, it appears the high school has already started teaching "non-leveled" classes by requiring all freshmen to take physical sciences.

Woodward said one helpful comment might be to ask for a clear definition of the word "non-leveled."

School Board Chairman William Baldwin agreed.

"I don't think it means what some parents are thinking," he said.

But Baldwin said he has asked for clarification about mixing students of different abilities in the same classes.

Baldwin said he doesn't think that's a good idea. He wants the schools to improve instruction, so students can compete with other districts and win admission to top colleges.

"We don't want to halt anyone's academic career," he said.

Baldwin said a committee drew up the strategic plan draft. The School Board will discuss the plan at an upcoming meeting.

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