More than 500 teachers flocked to Iola High School Monday and today to get a close look at common core curriculum, the new wave in public education.
They attended a Kansas Common Core Standards Summer Academy, the fifth of eight scheduled throughout the state this summer. Focus is on math and English language arts, with participants picking one content area for two days of study.
Until recently, each state had its own set of academic standards, meaning a third-grade student in Kansas might learn core subjects — math, science, language arts and social science — much differently than a student in Oklahoma, Rhode Island or Idaho.
The new uniform standards are intended to provide all students with an education that will prepare them for college or the work force, no matter where they live, Gail Dunbar, USD 257 curriculum director, explained to Board of Education members at their May 2 meeting.
The curriculum is more aligned to American College Testing (ACT) standards and raises the academic level students must meet to show proficiency in any of the disciplines, said David Grover, Iola High principal.
Teachers attending the two-day academy learned how to adapt and make the changes needed to meet the needs of students.
Math and language arts were emphasized in the summer academies because they are key skills in the learning process and will be the first to undergo changes. They also are the subjects frequently assessed for accountability purposes.
Teachers attending the local academy met in break-out sessions morning and afternoon each day in rooms throughout Iola High’s three floors.
THE TEACHERS, the lion’s share from out of town, ate breakfast and lunch in the IHS commons.
That proved a windfall for the school’s volleyball team and parents of junior class students raising money to put together the annual after-prom party next spring.
“We won’t know until expenses are taken out just how much we’ll make, but the estimates are $2,000 for the volleyball team from breakfasts and $5,000 to $6,000 for the junior class from the lunches,” said Judy Baker, Iola High office manger.
Two years ago a similar academy was held in Iola. Meals were catered for about a third as many teachers as poured into town this week.
If estimates are accurate, the junior class parents will raise about half of what is needed for the spring fling extravaganza.
“It’ll make it easier on the parents,” Baker said. “We’ll still have to raise some money, but not nearly as much as in the past.”
Burritos, breakfast sandwiches, doughnuts, bagels, yogurt and fruit were served at breakfast.
Lunch, in two sessions at 11:30 and noon to accommodate a crowd too large for one sit-down in the commons area, was smoked chicken, cheesy potatoes, green beans and salad Monday; sub sandwiches, macaroni salad, chips and fruit today. Snacks also were available throughout each day.
Donations helped hold down lunch costs.
Ken’s Pizza prepared and donated lettuce salads in Styrofoam boxes; Sonic Drive-In provided paper goods; Windsor Place sent green beans; Raymond Cooper, Iola’s bee man, furnished three gallons of honey; Josh Larney brought his cooker to smoke the chicken Sunday and again Monday. Emprise Bank also helped with preparations.
“We had lots of help,” Baker added. “There are 15 or so parents and quite a few students helping out.”
“Stephanie McDonald (after-prom party chairman) has done a lot of work,” Baker said, in arranging donations and in hands-on preparation and serving.
Parents made cakes and cookies to save having to purchase desserts. A handful whose commitments prevented them from baking sent financial contributions.
A true team effort, Baker said.
Today’s preparations weren’t as labor-intensive. The sub sandwiches, coming in six-foot lengths and then cut at the school for serving, were from Walmart.
