Last fall, Montezuma-Cortez High School students complained they didn\u2019t have the classroom resources to comply with new science curriculum mandates.<\/p>\n
Students specifically cited a lack of adequate classroom computers to effectively complete assignments. They took their concerns to the Montezuma-Cortez Re-1 school board in November after school leaders didn\u2019t respond to a student petition.<\/p>\n
Last week, M-CHS Principal Jason Wayman and M-CHS science chair Eric Chandler provided an update with a joint presentation to the board.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a rough, ugly diamond that we\u2019re trying to polish into a gem,\u201d said Wayman.<\/p>\n
In response to students\u2019 concerns, Chandler noted that 13 computers were now available for each class. Eight computers were in the classroom when school started.<\/p>\n
At the center of the debate is a new FLIP mastery science curriculum that was launched at the start of the current academic year. Under FLIP, students are required to master individual assignments before moving to the next lesson plan.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe self-paced instruction is similar to college courses,\u201d said Wayman. \u201cIt\u2019s becoming a prevalent thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Before initiating the program, Chandler said high school students were experiencing a 40 percent fail rate. He said the new curriculum would eliminate those numbers.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe students have to prove they know the material before moving on,\u201d said Chandler.<\/p>\n
Chandler further explained that the FLIP curriculum requires students to listen to online lectures at home and complete homework assignments at school.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s what\u2019s flipped,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
After student resistance, Chandler said officials took appropriate actions to modify pacing expectations, reducing two-lesson per week requirements to just one. He was also quick to point out that students were now \u201clearning how to learn.\u201d<\/p>\n
Predicting that many students weren\u2019t doing the required lecture work at home, Chandler added that 75 percent of students were still completing fall assignments. If they don\u2019t to catch up by the end of the year, students will complete assignments into the summer, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s powerful to be able to tell a student that they have to know the material before moving forward,\u201d said Chandler. \u201cIt places responsibility on the students.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wayman followed, stating that any student more than two weeks behind the self-paced instruction was ineligible for extra-curricular activities, including athletics.<\/p>\n
Board members seemed pleased with the update, including Sherri Wright, who said, \u201cI really like the program if we can get the kinks worked out.\u201d<\/p>\n
Re-1 Superintendent Alex Carter praised the new teaching model, reiterating that the innovative student learning method required a mastery of each lesson.<\/p>\n
\u201cStudents can no longer score a 90 on one test and a 50 on another and still pass the class,\u201d said Carter. \u201cThey have to master every lesson. This is what we need.\u201d<\/p>\n