UpDate - Vol. 12, No. 32, Page 9
May 20, 1993
Faculty offer leadership in statewide curriculum review

     Three professors from the Department of Educational Development are
providing leadership for the New Directions for Education in Delaware
program, initiated by Pascal Forgione, state superintendent of public
instruction.
     James Hiebert co-chairs the Mathematics Curriculum Framework
Commission with teacher Linda Selwood of Brandywine High School; John
Pikulski co-chairs the English Language Arts Curriculum Framework
Commission with teacher Douglas Grudzina of Dover High School; and William
I. Stanley, department chairperson, co-chairs the Social Studies Curriculum
Framework Commission with Margaret Legates of Milford Middle School.
     A fourth commission on science is co-chaired by Joseph Miller, DuPont
Co. vice president, polymers division, with teacher Rachel Wood of Delmar
Junior-Senior High School.
     Each commission is composed of 45 teachers, parents, educators,
representatives from industry and community groups and others interested in
education. The commissions, which meet once a month, are charged with
setting content standards and student performance standards in core
academic subject areas, under the umbrella of the New Directions program.
     Thre three faculty members chairing the commissions and other faculty
serving on the commissions are performing an important outreach service to
the state, according to Frank B. Murray, dean of the College of Education
and H. Rodney Sharp Professor of Educational Studies and Pscyhology.
     "The problems in education facing the commissions are complex and
there are no easy solutions, but by addressing the problems and
establishing educational standards, the commissions will be making a major
contribution to Delaware education and, at the same time, raise awareness
of issues in public education," Murray said.
     "The college is supportive of the New Directions program through the
efforts of its faculty and through the work of the new Delaware Educational
Research and Development Policy Center, under the direction of Paul
LeMahieu," Murray said.
     The math commission is working on establishing content and performance
standards in math, using the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics'
Curriculum and Evaluation Standards and Professional Standards for Teaching
Mathematics as a foundation, according to Hiebert.
     "In a nutshell," he said, "we are trying to determine what mathematics
it is necessary for students to know and how well they should know it."
     Within a two-year framework, by May of 1994, the commission is
scheduled to complete its recommendations, Hiebert said. The group is
currently working on a draft of content standards to be completed by
September and at a later date will complete a draft of performance
standards.
     "Our goal is to have a basic standards text, with examples, that is
readable and usable for classroom teachers throughout the state," Hiebert
said.
     Under the leadership of Pikulski, the English language commission has
developed a draft of its philosophy and goals in the areas of language arts
and communication skills, including reading, listening, speaking and
writing.
     "We are also addressing the roles of technology and mass media, which
are important in the field of modern communications. There are no national
standards, so we are breaking new ground and are seeking public comment and
input," Pikulski said.
     The next step will be to proceed to work on establishing curriculum
and performance standards with the project slated for completion by the
spring of 1995.
     Stanley said the social studies commission has been reading about and
studying different areas in social studies for committee members to
understand the field more fully. Subcommittees have been formed to study
the teaching of history, geography, economic education and political
science, with another committee studying multicultural and social issues. A
draft report of their work should be ready by June.
     Based on the work of these subcommittees, other committees will be
formed to establish curriculum and performance standards for grades 3, 5,
10 and 12. The project is scheduled for completion by the spring of 1995.
     "The commission, which is composed of volunteers from many fields, is
facing a formidable challenge, but I am pleased with their cooperative
attitude and their willingness to work hard and am optimistic about the
outcome of our efforts," Stanley said.
     Other faculty serving on the math commission are Pamela Cook, acting
chairperson of mathematical sciences; Kathleen Hollowell, coordinator of
the Mathematical Sciences Teaching and Learning Center; Ronald Wenger, math
center director and associate dean of arts and science; and William Moody,
professor of educational development.
     Other faculty serving on the English language arts commission are Mary
Richards, dean of the College of Arts and Science, and Carol Vukelich,
associate professor of educational development.
     Faculty serving on the social studies commission are Carol Hoffecker,
Richards Professor of History and associate provost for graduate studies;
David Pong, acting chairperson of history; and Peter Rees, associate
professor of geography.
     Faculty on the science commission are Nancy Brickhouse, assistant
professor of educational development, and Deborah Smith, director in the
College of Education.
                                        -Sue Swyers Moncure