Sturgis-Coldwater News

Three Rivers School District officials received a report from their curriculum committee at their May 1 board meeting.

Board member Ben Karle gave an update on two main areas — their middle school honors program and specific points within their 2019-2024 strategic plan which received a prior update on April 17.

The district and middle school officials have been working on updating and improving their middle school honors program, which allows students to take advanced versions of their ELA and math classes. The revised classes will potentially get them ahead in high school or even allow them to receive college credit before graduation.

Karle was happy to share that “to summarize it more, after looking at that data, [the program team has] come up with a what seems to be a much more efficient and appropriate process for placing kids and ELA in math classes for middle school honors.”

This process has included partnering with elementary teachers to identify potential fifth graders who they believe would benefit from the advanced courses, along with middle school teachers to put students in classes that best fit their needs and abilities. The process is dependent on testing in or out of classes, not by student or parent request for placement.

Karle also gave an update on one item from their strategic plan which allows for different levels and prioritization of professional development and educational opportunities for new teachers versus veteran teachers.

“And this particular area was on supporting professional development for new teachers as well as veteran teachers,” said Karle. “At the end, someone summarized it by saying, you know, a brand new teacher needs a different type or amount of professional development, whereas somebody at the end of their career may be fine tuning some different skills and interests.”

The district is working on creating a more comprehensive teacher handbook to help incorporate and welcome their new teachers, as well as encourage them to grow and improve their skills and abilities in the classroom. This handbook will be more aligned with their goals of providing specific and useful development opportunities for all teachers in the district, rather than cookie-cutter opportunities.