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Proposal to trim education programs draws fire in Penn Hills

Proposal to trim education programs draws fire in Penn Hills

A proposal for program reform met stiff resistance Monday night as Penn Hills teachers, students and parents criticized plans to cut courses in art, foreign languages, math, robotics, business and social studies.

The plan also proposes that special education students shift into classrooms, which will replace some special education teachers with aides.

Board members voted 6-2 to send the proposal to the state Department of Education. Erin Vecchio and Pauline Calbrese dissented. The plan would be implemented once the state approves.

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Superintendent Nancy Hines said the plan is part of a comprehensive review of program impacts and options.

“Spending is a strong consideration, but we want to remind everyone that we are in the business of education. Finance cannot drive what we do,” she said. “We cannot assume that what we’re doing works, especially when we have more than 700 students attending charter schools.”

She said the review includes consideration of start times, graduation requirements and class schedules. The district will continue to consult with the state education department throughout the process.

The plan would reduce the required credits for graduation from 25 to 23. The state does not mandate a minimum or maximum number of credits for graduation. Ms. Hines said the change gives students more opportunity to pursue interests with fewer restrictions on what courses must be completed.

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Among proposed program changes are: merging music theory and music appreciation; including CAD III principles into Zulama content; combining business management and entrepreneurship; and incorporating physics lab activities into theory class time

Also, the changes would eliminate the following: art III, ceramics II, adult roles I & II, manufacturing and technology, robotics II & III, business law, accounting II, video production III, algebra III, psychology II, societal law, professional experience program, theatre arts and forensic science.

High school student Katamarina Fields said she was concerned that the proposed cuts are courses that benefit students.

“How will we find what we have a passion for?,” she asked board members. “How can we take the next step to go to college without classes like art, robotics and business?” She presented the board members with a petition containing 250 student signatures opposing the cuts.

Resident and teacher Kelly Shiring predicted the reforms will drive students to cyber and charter schools.

“When we offer less choices, how will we attract more students? We will be pushing them to charters,” she said. “We have two beautiful new buildings but there will be no classes inside them.”

Resident Lisa Silverman criticized a proposal to reduce the number of credits required for graduation.

“About 60 percent of our students are underperforming,” she said. “If you only offer 24 credits for graduation, that is not enough cushion.”

Board president Denise Graham-Shealey called the proposal a first step, saying it would require additional review.

Tim Means is a freelance writer www.suburbanliving.com.

First Published: February 26, 2016, 5:00 a.m.

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