Graduation and Bicycling

The school district wants to toughen the graduation policy, among other proposed policies released at its recent meeting.

It was one of four curriculum items introduced at the recent Board of Education meeting. Curriculum Director Linda Paslov read them into the record and staff members responsible for them made presentations.

Current graduation standards require completion of 22 credits, with a minimum of 5.5 scheduled each year. This requirement rises to 25 in 2018.

This policy contemplates the high school’s reaccreditation in 2013 and the implementation in 2018 of stiffer state standards originally developed to strengthen Connecticut’s bid in the now-ended Race to the Top.

Board member Steve Wright commented that this policy “will cost Trumbull a lot of money,” as required courses include some Trumbull does not offer, meaning existing teachers will need additional staff development programs and new teachers will have to be hired.

He noted that some at the state level recommend revisiting some standards inasmuch as the Race to the Top has ended, while others want added rigor, including a fifth year of high school.

Special Education Director Angelo Vespe told the board “this is an example of increased mandated services,” and that these will have to be locally funded “until politicians fund mandates.” He said the new requirements will require “new classroom materials and equipment, and more teaching space.”

Another policy sought approval to add bicycling to the middle schools’ physical fitness program. Steve Berecz, a Physical Education teacher, and Jane Kluspes, a THS Physical Education and Health teacher, presented the plan they had created.

The program is targeted to “continue improving the physical fitness of Middle School students…and develop a lifetime activity,” Berecz stated.

The curriculum will teach students at all levels of proficiency, from those who have never ridden to experienced riders who need to learn rules of the road, safety and bicycle maintenance. All instruction and riding will take place at behind Hillcrest.

The school will provide helmets for those whose don’t have them, and they will supply surgical caps to facilitate helmet sharing.

Donations of money to buy mountain bikes will be sought, as will bikes themselves. Berecz added that the team will work with Trumbull Police to obtain seized bicycles.

Berecz called this a pilot program, saying that as it succeeds it will be introduced at Madison Middle School.

The board approved it 7-0. Member Michael Ward added that once the program is up and running, the school should invite Channel 17 to record a show about it and the benefits it yields for students.

A third item was presented by Kathy Stevens, a THS Special Education teacher. This was the first of two required readings of a policy concerning curriculum and instruction modifications for students requiring individualized support.

The policy lays out how curriculum and instruction may be altered, and where responsibility lies for curriculum delivery, evaluation and planning. It offers examples of specific teaching tools and techniques to personalize curriculum and instruction to maximize effectiveness.

This is an update of a policy last revised in 1997.

The final policy was the first reading of the revision of a four-year-old policy regarding eligibility to attend Trumbull schools.

This policy introduces new regulations and brings greater granularity to others. Changes are related to changes in some laws and to a reappraisal of some existing standards.

The general theme is to make requirements more stringent.