School Board Divided on Student Tracking Issue

The was divided on a scheduling issue, with a lengthy discussion ensuing at Monday night’s meeting.

The issue regards scheduling incoming freshmen for the 2012-2013 school year for college prep courses, rather than college prep and what the board termed “regular” courses.

“The education committee had a discussion with (high school principal Karl) Mundi about this, and he did a great deal of research on the topic,” said board member Cynthia Scott. “It seems giving all students the opportunity to take college prep courses opens doors for them and raises the bar. The research Mr. Mundi presented shows that putting all students on the college prep track will help to raise scores in reading and writing.”

Scott was under the impression that the board was ready to go forward with this change, but was told via email from superintendent Kathaleen Fuchs that the measure could not go forward as several board members had reservations.

Among them was board member Frank Cuccio.

“I am not an educator by any stretch of the imagination, but I have talked to several. I have also looked at some of the top high schools in Morris County as measured by New Jersey Monthly magazine. The top schools (including Chatham and Mountain Lakes) all have tracking,” Cuccio said.

Cuccio explained his thoughts in terms of a bell curve, where some 15% of students are on either end of the curve, while the other 70% are in the middle. Without tracking, he said, you have “number 16 and 69 in the same classroom, and they probably aren’t learning at the same pace.”

Scott reiterated her point that college prep classes open doors for all students.

“Putting everyone on the college prep track shows the students that we have high expectations for them. And research has shown that those expectations are often met,” she said.

Board member Jill VanNess voiced concern over the proposal as well.

“It seems to me that we need to study this more fully so that we can make an informed decision before we undertake something that can affect our students,” she said.

Board president Ronald Smith tabled the issue until further study could be completed.