Timberlane parents' protest proposed class grouping changes

From the Eagle Tribune;

Timberlane parents' postcards protest proposed class grouping changes
By Margo Sullivan
margosullivan@eagletribune.com

PLAISTOW — Parents of Timberlane Regional High students have started a postcard campaign to let School Board members know what they think of a plan to mix students of differing abilities in freshman physical sciences classes.

The idea of dropping accelerated classes and grouping students randomly sparked controversy last month after parent Peter Bealo drew attention to a goal in the school district's proposed strategic plan that suggested the district intended to end "tracking," the practice of grouping students in classes according to ability.

More than 200 parents commented. Most said they are opposed to the change and want to keep the accelerated classes.

In an e-mail earlier this week, Bealo said the woman who started the postcard campaign wishes to remain anonymous. But other parents, who have helped distribute the postcards, went on the record to explain why they feel the campaign is an effective way for parents' voices to be heard.

"It will be seen as parents getting involved, hopefully," said Nancy Steenson, a Danville mother. "If we have opinions, we should at least be listened to."

The postcard bears a headline, "Parents for Responsible Education." The card also reads, "As concerned parents and/or taxpayers of the Timberlane Regional School District, we are sending this to voice our adamant objection to heterogeneously grouped classes in the academic core classes at Timberlane Regional High School. We believe that all students should be rewarded for their hard work and achievement and be given the opportunity to work with their peers at the same level. We are in support of homogenous class for all academic core subjects."

The card has a line for the mailer's name, address and signature and space for additional comments.

Steenson became involved out of concern the brightest students have no one to advocate for them. She said she also worries school administrators are making changes without School Board approval and while parents are in the dark.

The School Board is expected to discuss the physical science course and the strategic plan at its meeting tonight at 7:30.

Steenson said parents also should consider sending e-mails to School Board members and attending School Board meetings.

Sheila Allen, also a Danville parent, said she will attend the meeting and has obtained permission from the School Board to speak. Allen wants to know if school officials failed to follow a policy when they decided to mix ninth-grade science students randomly, without a School Board vote.

If there was no policy on the books to be followed, Allen said, she thinks there should be one in the future.

Allen said she heard about the postcard campaign Sunday. She received her stack of cards on Monday and was ready to mail one out Tuesday.

"It's moving pretty fast," she said.

Principal Donald Woodworth said he has not seen the postcards.

"I understand this is kind of a lightning rod issue, and parents are trying to make sure their voices are heard," he said.

At a meeting with parents last week, he said the decision to mix students in a freshman year physical science class was developed from comments made last spring by the visiting committee of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

The visiting committee said the tracking did not "provide high expectations for all students" and did not reflect current education research and best practices.