Post by title1parent on Oct 20, 2009 5:08:17 GMT -5
www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=330203&src=76
Dist. 203 to offer new, specialized courses
By Melissa Jenco | Daily Herald 10/20/09
Naperville Unit District 203 high school students will have seven new courses to choose from next fall ranging from biology to fashion.
The school board on Monday approved the courses that will begin next fall at Naperville North and Central high schools if there is enough enrollment.
"Some are just for student choice, trying to get students into themes of classes that maybe meet their career goals," said Tim Wierenga, assistant superintendent for instruction.
Those courses include advanced Web pages, advertising and computer animation/gaming. There will also be a fashion design and construction course.
Wierenga said the district hasn't offered a sewing class in about a decade but it has become an emerging industry that has garnered students' interest.
"We're putting a 21st century spin on it but it's something students need and meets their needs," he said.
Another new course that may help some on their career path will be AP music theory.
"We're looking to provide those rigorous experiences for all kids to give them the possibility of going deeper in their area," Wierenga said.
Other new courses are "bridge classes," he said, that will help struggling students stay on track with their regular curriculum.
These classes will be principles of biology/chemistry, which will be open to sophomores, and a junior/senior seminar that will help students with reading skills in the areas of comprehension, vocabulary and test-taking skills.
The district's total cost for the new classes is about $52,900, which includes course development and texts. Wierenga does not expect the classes to impact staffing levels.
Dist. 203 to offer new, specialized courses
By Melissa Jenco | Daily Herald 10/20/09
Naperville Unit District 203 high school students will have seven new courses to choose from next fall ranging from biology to fashion.
The school board on Monday approved the courses that will begin next fall at Naperville North and Central high schools if there is enough enrollment.
"Some are just for student choice, trying to get students into themes of classes that maybe meet their career goals," said Tim Wierenga, assistant superintendent for instruction.
Those courses include advanced Web pages, advertising and computer animation/gaming. There will also be a fashion design and construction course.
Wierenga said the district hasn't offered a sewing class in about a decade but it has become an emerging industry that has garnered students' interest.
"We're putting a 21st century spin on it but it's something students need and meets their needs," he said.
Another new course that may help some on their career path will be AP music theory.
"We're looking to provide those rigorous experiences for all kids to give them the possibility of going deeper in their area," Wierenga said.
Other new courses are "bridge classes," he said, that will help struggling students stay on track with their regular curriculum.
These classes will be principles of biology/chemistry, which will be open to sophomores, and a junior/senior seminar that will help students with reading skills in the areas of comprehension, vocabulary and test-taking skills.
The district's total cost for the new classes is about $52,900, which includes course development and texts. Wierenga does not expect the classes to impact staffing levels.
