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Elementary principal proposes modified self-contained model for 5th and 6th grades
Summary
The district's elementary principal proposed shifting fifth and sixth grades to a modified self-contained model next year — two same-grade teachers sharing most instruction to improve consistency, collaboration and special-education coordination after preliminary MCA data raised concerns.
Elementary Principal Miss Albert told the board the district will pilot a modified self-contained model for fifth and sixth grades next school year after reviewing preliminary MCA and other data.
Under the change, each grade would have two same-grade teachers who keep the majority of the class together for most of the day; teachers would each teach reading and math and split science and social studies assignments so students retain some exposure to multiple instructors. Miss Albert said the model aims to strengthen student–teacher relationships, increase consistency of expectations and improve coordination for special-education scheduling.
Miss Albert acknowledged parent reaction was mixed but said teachers had concluded the prior model was not the best fit academically or behaviorally. She described the approach as a compromise: "if we tried it this way it would kind of be a balance between the two models," and said the district will monitor and adjust during the year.
Board members asked whether curriculum or standards would change; Miss Albert said the curriculum remains the same but two teachers per grade will allow greater collaboration on new math and reading standards. The next steps are final staffing and scheduling details before the start of the year.
