Education
Apex Middle School, part of the wake county public school system in Raleigh, NC has implemented a rigorous curriculum for grades 6, 7 and 8. The curriculum for Apex Middle School includes the following: Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, Computer Education, Health and Physical Education (Wake, 2003). The objectives of each of these programs are stated below. The Apex Middle School curriculum and objectives outlined in this paper are similar to the curriculum and objectives for most public middle schools in NC. How does this differ from the middle school curriculum typically seen in New York middle schools?
According to the New York State Education Department, the objective or mission of educators is "That all students will meet or exceed high learning standards at the elementary, middle, secondary and continuing education levels" (NYSED, 2003). Major reform is currently occurring in New York. These reforms will have the potential to greatly affect students at the middle school level. Are these reforms necessary, and will they ultimately prove more successful than traditional programs such as those offered at Apex? These questions will also be addressed.
Apex Middle School Curriculum, Wake County Public Schools Raleigh, NC
The curriculum at Apex Middle School is demonstrative of most school programs in NC. It includes the following, with descriptions and outcomes of course objectives for students in grades 6-8:
Language Arts: The objective of the middles school language arts program at Apex Middle School is to master reading, writing, listening, speaking and viewing skills (Wake, 2003). Wake county uses an integrated approach, studying a variety of literary genres in the hopes that students will develop greater reading comprehension techniques, enrich their vocabulary and through each successive level, acquire high-order thinking skills from grades 6 to 8 (Wake, 2003). The overall goal as stated by school authorities is "to have students become proficient communicators and lifelong readers" (Wake, 2003).
Math: The math curriculum in Wake County Public schools emphasizes mathematics as "a way of thinking, communicating and problem solving." Courses available for grades 6-8 include accelerated math, algebra 1 and geometry....
Stop Learning: One hears a great deal today about the poor quality of education. While some children do well, others cannot seem to learn even the basics. Reading, writing, and arithmetic -- the famous four R's -- have garnered a great deal of attention in one educational initiative after another. Presidents, governors, mayors, and school district superintendents have all taken up the battle cry. Numerous ideas have been proposed, but
Round Schooling -- a solution or a slogan? "More is better,' is an ethos that is often frowned upon by parents and teachers alike when it comes to, for example, chocolate or recess. However, when it comes to year 'round schooling, even some school administrators are inclined to blanch at the prospect, according to Ann McGlynn of the Journal of the School Administrator. In her March 2002 article on the
The school programs have been a subject of research, legislation and debate across many states and over many years. There has always been the urge to come up with a harmonized calendar that is suitable for the students, the teachers, the parents as well as the management of the schools. This has always proved to be a delicate balance, one rarely achieved in many institutions. There is need however to
Students in these kinds of schools do not attend school longer, but they do not have a summer break that is longer than any of the other breaks that they take during the school year. Research done by McMillen (2001) indicated that there were 106 schools in the state of North Carolina that operated on the year-round school calendar for third through eighth grades during the 1997-1998 school year. McMillen
Another significant benefit of the year round system pointed by the proponents is that the YRE system offers year round assistance for children who need additional time to catch up. As intersession classes are followed up immediately children do not have to wait until summer classes to catch up with their difficult subjects. "While changing the calendar year in itself can provide many benefits, the importance of intersession instruction
Round Schooling: Implications for the Current State of Public Education The media has recently reported an array of problems with the public education system including criticisms of teacher effectiveness, lack of funding, and continued decline in academic achievement in comparison with other nations. Schools are facing a rise in class size with reduced support in regards to materials, finances, and staff. Despite government legislation, including the No Child Left Behind
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