First in the Nation
Tiger Hi-Line The
Volume 48 Edition 4
The Iowa Caucuses are an important part of the presidential campaign process. For more information on the caucuses and some opinions them too, turn to the Opinion page.
http://hi-lineonline.shorturl.com 1015 Division Street, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613
Core standards likely to be adopted Vincent Stigliani Staff Writer
The Model Core Curriculum project is a set of standards developed by the Department of Education that the state advises public schools move toward. Although this model may soon be required, Iowa is the last state not to have a set of standards from the state that all schools must comply to. This plan would consist of goals that students should reach by graduation. The students would meet these standards gradually. Each year benchmarks would be met that we lead to the graduation standards. “The Iowa Model Core Curriculum is currently just a model that the state is recommending schools move toward,” Director of Secondary Education Dan Conrad said. “Whether or not we are required to adopt them as part of our graduation requirements will be determined by the state legislature. I believe this will be a major topic for debate
during this year’s legislative session.” CFHS English department head Judy to be done to develop these. The ITBS The Iowa Department of Educa- Timmins said. “We are very familiar and ITED tests would not be adequate,” tion has two main goals for this proj- with the standards and benchmarks. Conrad stated. ect. One goal is to ensure that all Iowa Now we need to marry the two. The reAnother expressed concern has been students have access to a rigorous and constructing that may be required is yet the absence of certain areas in this currelevant curriculum to riculum. prepare them for success “I think it’s a little The Iowa Model Core Curriculum overboard to start with in post-secondary education and the emerging such high expectations,” is currently just a model that the global economy. The Art Department Head state is recommending schools other is to provide a tool Bob McCullough said. for Iowa educators to “They’ve already inmove toward. use to assure that essencreased enrollment in core tial subject matter is becourses. It has affected our — Dan Conrad enrollment in art because ing taught and essential Director of Secondary students have fewer elecknowledge and skills are Edcation tives. It’s not gentle to the being learned. Cedar Falls High education system.” School already has developed bench- to be determined. The department is at Conrad is sensitive to McCullough’s marks that they strive to reach in each the initial stages.” concerns and is planning to keep all acOne concern with this model is how ademic options open for students. subject. Many of the concepts on their benchmarks are very similar to those of it will be monitored. “We believe it is important to offer “We would need to have assessments students opportunities in a wide varithe Model Core Curriculum. “It seems the Model Core Curricu- in place that would track students’ ety of curricular areas. It would be our lum has the same elements and con- progress in meeting the standards and plan to continue to provide students cepts but is written less generally,” benchmarks. Much work would need time during their school day to enroll
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in elective courses such as band, family consumer science, industrial technology, etc.,” Conrad said. Another question is how these would standards improve the school. “There have been considerable concerns aired around the state that schools are not setting high enough expectations for students, and that some smaller schools do not have the staff to provide higher level courses for students,” Conrad said. “Most schools’ requirements in the core areas are similar to ours, and would need to be revised if all schools are required to adopt the IMCC.” The school does not have to worry about adopting the standards quite yet. “Currently, the state is not requiring all districts to adopt and meet the IMCC standards and benchmarks. The state is recommending schools adopt them, but at the present time, we are only required to report on our progress of moving toward the IMCC,” Conrad explained.
Dance team finds success at State with Division I ratings for five categories Nadia Honary Staff Writer
The CFHS dance team’s state competition, held in Des Moines on Friday, had results that the girls (and boys) could be proud of. The dance team performed in four different categories including pom, jazz, hip hop and coed. Each performance received a Division I rating. Placing fifth in hip hop and third in coed, the dancers did not leave empty- handed as everyone performed their very best. Senior Jessica Gitchell felt the coed dance team was successful. “The coed dance was really good. The guys were really scared but also really excited to do it. We went out there and they had high energy and really got into the movement. They did everything crazy big. As a group, we were most together timing-wise,” Gitchell said.
Senior Andrew Snyder, who performed for the first time on Friday in front of an audience for coed, enjoyed the experience. “It was pretty scary but a lot of fun. It was fun listening to everyone cheer,” Snyder said. Snyder had never danced before coed, so everything about the involvement was new. “It was fairly easy to learn. Once you get the steps down and put it with the music, everything came together easy,” Snyder said. As a group, Snyder felt that the girls and boys did well. “I think we did pretty good. We came a long way. We were pretty bad in the beginning,” Snyder said. Despite receiving a Division I for coed, Snyder felt they could have done better. “I would have liked to win at State, but it was a lot of fun, so that makes up for it,” Snyder said.
Caitlin Lattimer Photos
Sharing a mid-dance grin, seniors Emily Stortz and Eric Eichelberger kick and turn at the State Dance Competition in Des Moines, at left. At top, senior Ben Main and freshman Alexa Deines have a blast while giving it their all.