I would like to highlight some of the initiatives we will undertake over the next year in these areas. The development of basic skills is central to the mission of the school district. During the 1997-1998 school year we will focus our efforts on developing students writing ability, field testing health programs at the secondary level and researching new social studies materials for kindergarten through grade twelve. In addition, faculty in all schools will continue to align the Tewksbury Public Schools Curriculum with the Curriculum Frameworks adopted by the Massachusetts Department of Education. We continue the district commitment to our gifted and talented population by increasing the number of partnerships with higher education institutions, developing a student centered, applied curriculum and enriching the daily curriculum through programs such as the Future Problem Solvers.
Assessment continues to be a key goal in the area of basic skills.
During the 1997-1998 school year we will monitor the progress of those students who participated in the new summer school and after school programs, systematically monitor the use of portfolios as an assessment tool and develop a Tewksbury Public School Assessment Tool. Technology will receive increased emphasis over the next year. Using funds from the Department of Education we will establish research clusters in all school libraries and complete the networking of Tewksbury Memorial High School. In addition, we will expand our inventory of computer hardware and software and provide the necessary training to enable all faculty to make full use of our computer technology. The interpersonal goals on this plan support our belief that all students have the right to be educated in school environments which promote tolerance, equity and a respect for individual differences.