November 3, 2006 by rob.

I attended the Eanes District Leadership Team at the GT Representative for the first time last Monday. I’m very impressed with the work entrusted to this team and was pleasantly surprised by the real work that we accomplished.

There were two primary topics: district road map and 07-08 calendar. As required by state law, we voted on an passed recommendations for the EISD Board on both items.
The district road map is a lengthy and comprehensive document. For GT, the critical theme is that the district wants to substantially increase enrollment in AP classes at Westlake. Beyond the TAKS, AP enrollment is one of the primary measures of our district’s excellence. This is also significant to GT students because AP classes are the primary way that GT academics are provided in High School. Dr Wellman stated that small class sizes will be maintained even if the types of classes are shifted.

In order to increase AP enrollment, the district is putting extra resources into better preparing elementary and middle school students. Specifically, they are targeting the kids who could qualify for advanced material if they had some extra support (tutoring, etc).

[editorial comment] I believe that advanced students benefit from having more people in AP system as long as small class size is maintained. I also believe that differentiation is vital to ensure that students at the are challenged appropriately in their classes. In advanced classes especially, students progress at different rates. These differences need to be properly managed.

The academic calendar was difficult to work out. The State requires that we start 2 weeks later than this year. The impact is unfortunate: the already busy Fall semester gets further squeezed. This has broad implications for timing of exams (still before Winter holiday), mid-year schedule changes, timing of holidays, and end of classes. The decision was to *mostly* maintain the current holiday and exam calendar. The primary change impacts the timing of semester change causing Fall 1/2 year classes to teach material after the “final” exam.

In short, starting later in the Fall is not better for your kids academics at Eanes. The school calendar should serve the students and teachers, not the tourism industry. Feel free to contact your Texas legislators and let them know. It’s not too late.
Overall, the meeting shows the continual balancing act required for our district to navigate between state mandates and our desire to be excellent. These goals often conflict and we need to find effective ways to create excellence within the framework.

Posted in EISD Gifted & Talented, Eanes District | 1 Comment »

November 3, 2006 by rob.

Last year our November meeting focused on cooking science.  I’d like to continue the tradition, but we need a host with a big kitchen (and at least a double oven).  Does anyone want to volunteer to host a meeting?  You can pick the date!

Posted in Science Club @ Eanes | 1 Comment »