Proposed K�12 curriculum revisions affect Georgia Highlands College students
By Micheal Miller
[email protected]
Staff Writer
Georgia's State Board of Education's proposed revisions in the K-12 curriculum will also affect future Georgia Highlands College students as well as current students who plan to be public school teachers.
Senior Vice Chancellor Dan Papp of the University System of Georgia stated in a recent memo, �A major revision of the current curriculum could have a substantial impact on the preparation of students entering the University system.�
The new curriculum will cover English, reading, math and science.
One of the most controversial issues involved in the curriculum change was the proposal that the word �evolution� be omitted in science textbooks.
Georgia Highlands College associate professor of geology Billy Morris said the proposal was �a ridiculous idea, laughable really, but nonetheless frightening because it was proposed by the leader of our K-12 public education system.�
Morris feels that this proposed curriculum revision was even more disturbing since theories with no scientific evidence, such as intelligent design, are being included in public school science classes.
While Georgia's State School Superintendent Cathy Cox finally decided to include reference to �evolution,� Morris points out her plan still omits the age of the Earth from the science curriculum.
Another controversy has erupted over the newly proposed English curriculum.
One of the main issues is the proposed 25-book mandate for ninth grade students.
LaNelle Daniel, professor of English at Georgia Highlands College and a member of the Regents Advisory Committee on English, said, �It is a noble endeavor. The question is whether or not it can be implemented without extended preparation on the part of the teachers as well as the students.�
Another issue in the new English curriculum is the importance of writing. Daniel said, �Composition would be an integral part of many activities. That is certainly a great idea. Again�the problem is implementation.�
Daniel said, �I believe that the people behind this have the purest motives and aspire to great ideals. They have conceived a plan that is sweeping in scope with very lofty goals.� However, she is concerned about the practicality of the proposed curriculum, stating, �I question whether the state has the financial resources or the human resources to implement this plan on a statewide basis in the immediate future.�
The State Advisory Committee on English's report to Papp commented that �considerable funding will be needed to reduce class size, increase teachers' salaries and buy books for libraries.�
With the fear of the removal of the word �evolution� gone, Morris feels that current students and teachers of the sciences at Georgia Highlands College will not be hurt by the curriculum changes. Morris said, �I see no more difficulty ahead for (future) teachers than usual.�
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