In an attempt to push students in On-Level English to perform in a more rigorous environment, the English department has dissolved On-Level English 11 for next school year. Spearheaded by English resource teacher Shelley Jackson, the decision comes at a time when the number of On-Level classes has been minimized greatly throughout MCPS.
"There are very few kids that need any additional support in order to succeed. It’s the same curriculum for Honors and On-Level; the exam is almost exactly the same. There is so little curricular distinction [and] so few kids that need support, it just makes sense to us to put all [of them] together and support those kids together in an Honors section," explains Jackson.
Jackson began sharing the idea with English teachers in October. Teacher Lynnette Evans could see the potential for student progress. "I hope this will motivate [them] more to help them realize that they are capable of taking the [higher-level] class," says Evans who teaches Honors English 10 and 11.
Jackson believes that success comes down to the individual student’s willingness to do well, and she says there is also a possibility that more students who would normally be in Honors English 11 will now register for AP Language. "The bottom line really is, get the work done," she says. "The kids in AP, I guess, can read complex material fairly quickly. In Honors, it’s really just being diligent and getting your work done. I think it’s that simple."
During the Parent Course Fair meeting on January 28, some parents voiced concerns that the switch would lower the expectations and rigor of Honors and AP courses. Jackson, who spoke at the meeting, reassured parents that advanced-level classes currently maintain rigor even with students of varying skills and abilities. "We have very broad ranges in AP already; we have very broad ranges in Honors. I think we’ve done a good job of teaching to challenge the kids who have mastered the material while at the same time helping the kids who are struggling to master it," says Jackson, who adds that there will be an English composition assistants assigned to each class who will be available to help students in need.
English teacher Gloria Condelli, who is the English 11 course team leader, is also looking at innovative supports for all students. "Another exciting option is the potential for a student-run writing clinic some of the teachers in the department and I are discussing that wouldn’t be limited to the eleventh grade," says Condelli.
With the change, Jackson is expecting to see great improvements in student’s work habits. "I absolutely do, because we’ve see that in kids that have moved already from On-Level to Honors. They have done better with higher expectations and we fully believe that we will see the same thing," she says.
Jackson has been in talks with the administration since the start of the school year about the elimination of On-Level English 11, and teachers of English 11 have begun making preparations for the change next year. "The administrators are delighted with our plans, and the teachers feel it is the right thing to do," says Condelli. "They feel as I do, that most kids in On-Level classes are capable of more than we give them credit for and what they give themselves credit for. Our teachers really believe in our kids and what they can do."