Changes have some teachers and students up in arms
Next school year all Morgan Hill Unified School District eighth graders could be required to study algebra and all ninth graders could be required to study college preparatory biology.
Recent changes to state education standards specify that students should, in ninth through twelfth grades, study physics, chemistry, biology/life sciences and earth sciences, while in eighth grade, physical science should be the emphasis.
The state standards require students beginning in eighth grade to study algebra, geometry, algebra II and advanced math.
Because of the change in the Morgan Hill School District curriculum to align with state standards, all students at Live Oak High School who had registered for physical science for the 2006-07 school year will be placed into college preparatory biology regardless of their academic achievement, according to teachers who spoke during Tuesday’s school board meeting.
Neither parents nor students have been apprised of the changes, said Roy Johnson, a Live Oak High School science teacher who has taught in the district for more than 30 years.
MHUSD Superintendent Alan Nishino said the district is looking to raise math proficiency starting at the elementary level. As for the science change, he asked, “Who says biology is an advanced class?”
Nishino referred questions about the issue, which has angered and concerned teachers and students, to MHUSD Assistant Superintendent Michael Johnson.
Johnson said the district wanted to make the changes for next year, but was prepared to offer, for students who are not prepared to take biology, a prep course in the ninth grade so that they will be ready for biology in tenth grade.
He also said meetings with the middle school math department chair persons are planned, and eventually the high schools will be included as the changes will affect high school math curriculum as well.
Three students who attended the school board meeting told trustees they did not believe putting all ninth graders into biology was a good idea; nor did they agree that math curriculum changes were acceptable.
“If kids are just shoved through the system, the results aren’t going to be good,” said Stevie Ray Sendejas, a Live Oak High School student.
“If you take a 13 year old and put him behind the wheel of a car and put him on the freeway and expect him to keep up with all the experienced drivers, drivers who have read the book and driven, he will crash the car,” said Live Oak High School student Jordan Cannistraci. “You’re trying to get kids to succeed to their highest potential, but we’ve got to get those kids to get their permits before he can drive.”
The students and teachers were recommending gradually transitioning biology for ninth graders and algebra for eighth graders. The suddenness of the move, for students who have struggled in those subjects, would not cause them to perform any better in those subjects, they told trustees.
“I don’t think that’s right setting them up for failure,” said Live Oak High School sophomore Brianna Peña.
Live Oak High School science teacher Rich Gautschi said if physical science is to be dropped next year, and all ninth graders will take biology, there are some purchases that need to be made quickly. For approximately 200 students, he said, roughly $43,000 would need to be spent on new equipment.
Johnson said the district knew the changes could have associated costs, and the costs would be the district’s responsibility.
Marilyn Dubil covers education and law enforcement for The Times. Reach her at (408) 779-4106 ext. 202 or at md****@*************es.com.
