Common core, professional development and expanded learning opportunities could be on the agenda at today's Wake County school board student achievement committee meeting.
The agenda hadn't been finalized as of Friday, but committee chairwoman Christine Kushner expected the meeting would include a discussion about the new common core curriculum in math and language arts. Kushner said she'd like to discuss how they're providing teachers with professional development on the common core and how they're explaining the new curriculum to parents.
Professional development has changed since the school board scrapped the use of Wake Wednesdays/Wacky Wednesdays in 2010. Instead of dismissing an hour early every Wednesday, schools are now supposed to find the time for professional learning communities to meet in some other way.
As for expanded learning opportunities, it's an outgrowth of an idea from school board vice chairman Keith Sutton to look at the academic benefits of extending the school day or school year. Kushner said she'd like to discuss what after-school learning opportunities are available and what more could be added.
