[assigned] the one where i design a model school district
The culminating project for Innovations in Education (EDSE 610) was to design a model school district from the ground up, using prescribed budgetary and student population parameters.
The full proposal is available as a PDF.
I focused on an integrated, interdisciplinary curriculum; grouping students into smaller two- or three-grade facilities; and a year-round schedule. Based on my experience with my students in the Delta, I also included a 2+2 program that accommodates both a meaningful vocational program and a college prep curriculum.
In the college-prep program, students work with an advisory teacher to develop and implement a final senior interdisciplinary project that incorporates at least two subject areas. Core curriculum teachers are given advisory periods during the day, and students are expected to present a portfolio. Elective courses in the senior year are designed to support the project. An internship can be incorporated into the project, but cannot be the only component.
The 2+2 program allows students who are not planning to attend a four-year college an opportunity to get a jump-start on their careers by taking some classes at a community college. There are four strands in the 2+2 program: Health Care; Business and Trade; Agriculture; Technology. The district reimburses the community college at a cost of $1500 per student each year.
The school operates on a year-round schedule with 4 three-week seasonal breaks to maintain academic continuity and reduce the scheduling problems for working and single parents.
