Novi School Board Questions IB Program Additions

Novi Community Schools' 3-year-old International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme may expand offerings to allow music students to choose the more rigorous curriculum. 

But school board members at a Thursday work session questioned whether proposed psychology and sports, exercise and health science courses are needed. 

Assistant Supt. R.J. Webber said the additional offerings provide "on-ramps for students" to tackle the higher level coursework. Additional courses were needed due to the elimination of IB courses dropped due to lack of enrollment, he added. 

IB teacher Margaret Laine recapped results of a survey of 900 freshman and sophomores that indicated enough interest in all three areas to run classes in the fall. More than 40 were interested in sports, exercise and health science, and she feels interest will grow as word spreads. 

"Once this is put in place, and I can tell parents about this, I think it will be very, very popular," she said, adding the course would be ideal for students interested in physical therapy, sports training or other health-related careers. 

More than 70 students expressed interest in the music class, which involves performance (band, orchestra or choir) in the first year, followed by a theory course in the second year. Parents have asked for the option, Laine said. "It would definitely increase the number of kids who would want to participate in the diploma programme."

Students also showed a strong interest in psychology, which is proposed as a 2-year course, blended with the advanced placement (AP) psychology course in the second year, Laine said. 

Board member Ann Glubzinski said she was more concerned about whether student interest would translate into enrollment for psychology and sports/health, than for music. 

"I do think we really need to follow up on whether there's a specific need," board chair Dennis O'Connor agreed.

Board member George Kortlandt asked about whether there was a duplication of courses that would lower class sizes and add to training costs. He also questioned whether the courses were added to expand the program, or to meet students' needs.

"While students may like to take a particular course, is it beneficial and does it fit in with our objectives," he said. "I'd want to try to analyze that and see what we're going to do." 

Webber said the district's IB program was heavy on the "more formal science" end when it was launched. The psychology class gives students an option to complete the diploma programme in behavioral science as opposed to physical science.

Supt. Dr. Steve Matthews said that while the proposals are growing the program, they also meet a need, by providing a way for students who might otherwise not have the opportunity to take advantage of the more rigorous IB coursework, which helps better prepare them for college. 

Officials will consider the additions at their March 21 meeting. 

Correction: Board member George Kortlandt's first name was omitted in the original version of this article.