Purpose:
- Gather advice regarding PreK-12 social studies instruction that is focused on developing Historians and Global Thinkers as stated in the Bellingham Promise.
- Meet two to three times a year to address issues related to social studies standards, instruction and assessment, and professional development needs.
- Communicate findings to affected stakeholders.
Basis for Establishment:
- To increase opportunities for teachers, principals and Department of Teaching and Learning to collectively collaborate around the development of historians and global thinkers as stated in the Bellingham Promise.
- To create an ongoing process for addressing standards, instruction and assessment decisions, alignment and communication regarding social studies instruction.
- To advise regarding needs and priorities in social studies.
Decision-Making Process:
- This group will make any necessary decisions based on a consensus of those present and primarily serve in an advisory capacity to Department of Teaching and Learning and the Superintendent.
Plan of Work:
- Convene committee to understand the scope of the work of the year (and ongoing).
- Understand how the Developing Historians and Global Thinkers advisory group relates to other Teaching and Learning Advisory groups and the Bellingham Promise.
- Review recent research on best practices in social studies.
- Analyze current assessment data.
- Examine current state, local and other related standards, assessments and instructional implications.
- Collect feedback from staff, students and parents, as needed.
Members:
- Rotating/staggered memberships: Three-year, two-year and one-year memberships will be established at each level, so that we can have an ongoing advisory group over time without losing momentum
- Elementary teachers: Jamine Moss-Owen, Happy Valley and Gaye Fullner, Sunnyland.
- Middle school teachers: Alisa Sachs, Fairhaven; Alex Giebelhaus, Kulshan and Stephanie Strow, Shuksan.
- High school teachers: Shannon Eubank,Sehome; Karen Anastasio, Squalicum; Bruce Mansfield, Bellingham.
- Katie Ruthford, Dean of Students, Squalicum High School
- Charisse Berner, Director of Teaching and Learning – Co-chair
- Keith Schacht, Director of Teaching and Learning– Co-chair
Responsibilites:
- Communicate and make public all meeting agendas and minutes
- Director of Teaching and Learning shares outcomes with DTL team to surface potential impact on priorities across the system.
Timeline:
- 2017-18 School Year – No meetings during the 2017-18 school year.
- 2016-17 School Year: All meetings are 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the District Office.
- 2015-16 School Year: Teaching and Learning Advisory Group meets fall, winter and spring.
- 2014-15 School Year: March – May 2015
Budget Implications:
- $5,000 – Curriculum rate paid to members (for attendance at Advisory Group meetings) and if needed, paid time for substantial tasks between meetings.
- The advisory group may recommend that a review committee be formed to address significant curricular needs.