The Stevensville Board of Trustees adopted an expanded high school curriculum that will include many new electives, new college-ready and career-ready pathways and a new curriculum track that leads to an Honors diploma. Advanced Placement courses and Dual Credit offerings will help students earn credits they can apply toward college.
High School Principal Brian Gum presented the new curriculum to the board after months of matching stakeholder input with curriculum goals. Part of the process was a student questionnaire gauging interest in 90 potential elective offerings. The results of the survey will be used to create an expanded elective offering that meet the goals of the district while preparing students for the next phase of their lives.
Superintendent Dr. Bob Moore recommended the board adopt the improved curriculum, saying, “The administration and high school staff have spent a significant amount of time working to develop courses that expand opportunities for our students. Stevensville High School wants to engage our students and fully develop the opportunities for our students to explore and develop their personal interests through innovative courses.”
The curriculum changes will begin taking effect next year. Current students who can meet the additional requirements are eligible to graduate in the new Honors track.
In other school district news, Greg Trangmore, chair of Stevensville Schools Board of Trustees, has been selected by Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau to serve on a state committee for the development of Montana accountability systems for the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
Juneau appointed 33 educators, parents and district trustees to two work groups that will assist the Office of Public Instruction in developing Montana’s education accountability systems.
The agency has created two work groups that will develop accountability systems under the newly-authorized federal education law known as the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). This law replaces No Child Left Behind.
The Office of Public Instruction will transition from No Child Left Behind to ESSA during the 2017/2018 school year.