Micromanagement Of Lessons In Hinsdale D86?

DARIEN, IL – Some want the Hinsdale High School District 86 board to become more involved in developing the curriculum. Others fear such involvement would result in micromanagement.

In the last couple of years, the school board has largely rejected teacher-recommended changes in the science and math curriculums. Now, the board is poised to do the same in social studies.

In November, nine social studies teachers signed a statement about their three years of work on the social studies curriculum. At the time, the board was considering rejecting what the teachers had done. The board ended up holding off, but may still overrule the teachers.

In their statement, the teachers spoke about the "deleterious effect to morale that certain changes will have on many staff members who spent countless hours" on the curriculum.

Over the summer, the board formed the Academic Committee, which consists of three board members and plans to address curriculum issues. The committee has been asked to look at the proposed changes to social studies.

During public comments at last week's board meeting, Hinsdale resident Linda Burke said parents should have the opportunity for meaningful input in curriculum decisions, particularly for science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM. Changes to the STEM curriculum, she said, were not supported by all teachers.

"No one who has been active in their concern for this issue wants to ban books or has any kind of nut extreme ideology on public school teachers," said Burke, who has attended board meetings for decades. "We all love and support our public schools."

Another Hinsdale resident, Reid McCollum, said he saw some value in the Academic Committee in that it could involve the public on curriculum issues.

But McCollum also said it was important for the board not to micromanage such decisions. He said it was rare that consensus could be reached on curriculum. An example, he said, was the plan to de-emphasize AP European History. He noted the longtime teacher who has taught the AP class opposed the plan.

McCollum said the teacher has taught the class brilliantly and that it was not surprising he took the position against the change. At the same time, McCollum said social studies teachers spent years aligning the curriculum.

"There will always be folks who disagree with decisions around curriculum," he said.

Hinsdale teacher Carol Park, a retired Hinsdale South High teacher, questioned the need for the committee.

"You already have an academic committee made up of hundreds of excellent teachers conveniently divided into departments as well as several administrators to work with it," she said.

District 86's teachers, Park said, were the "cream of the crop."

"District 86 does not, as a rule, hire teachers just out of college," she said. "They are educators with experience."

She said the board has ignored teachers' curriculum recommendations.

"Sorry to say that this has resulted in a certain amount of chaos in program planning for students, let alone administration, as well as demoralizing the teachers," Park said. "Let them do their jobs in curriculum development."