Teachers to learn 'Direct Instruction' techniques

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

McCook Public School teachers will learn about the "Direct Instruction" teaching model during training sessions Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 23 and 24, from 8 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., at McCook Christian Church.

McCook teacher Lynda Baumbach told board members that she and fellow teacher Mary Dueland came home from a national DI conference "really excited."

DI is a teaching model developed in 1968 that emphasizes well-developed and carefully-planned les-sons designed around small learning increments and clearly-defined and prescribed teaching tasks. It is based on the theory that clear instruction eliminating misinterpretations can greatly improve and accelerate learning.

Its creators -- Siegfried Engelmann, Dr. Wesley Becker and their colleagues -- believe DI can improve academic performance as well as certain affective behaviors and self-esteem.

Direct Instruction re-quires a complete mastery of a skill, Baumbach said, before the student moves on. The model is applied most often in reading, but can also be used to teach language, math, history, social studies and science, she said.

Better readers make better students in all other areas of study, Baumbach said.

School board members accepted the resignation of Jill Beckenhauer Monday night from the district's special education department contingent upon the district being able to find a replacement.

Dr. Marchant said his office has several applications for the position, although SPED director Bob Saf told board members that his staff will be able to cover Beckenhauer's caseload until college graduates become available after December.

Beckenhauer has taught in McCook for eight years.

Educators accepted a $1,500 donation from the McCook Area Sertoma Club for two handicap swings and playground equipment for the playground at McCook Elementary.

Board President Greg Larson told Gary Power, president of the operating council created to represent the former Class I Fitch school district, that he and other board members were not ready to comment on a list of concerns and recommendations handed to them at the Monday evening board meeting.

Larson recommended taking up the subjects at an operating council meeting, with Principal Kathy Latta, scheduled Thursday at 7 p.m., in the conference room at McCook Elementary. Because this is an advisory committee meeting, it is not open to the public, Superintendent Dr. Don Marchant said. Latta will report on staffing for the Fitch attendance center; business manager Rick Haney will report on the 2006-07 budget.

Power said the list of concerns was developed at an operating council meeting Aug. 1. The list includes:

* Allowing McCook resident students to attend District 8.

* Allowing both McCook and District 8 students to attend the building of their choice after parents filled out transfer requests.

* Objecting to busing for students' safety and because of parents' dissatisfaction. The council believes teachers should come to the students and that students learn better in a stable environment, rather than one that is disrupted.

* McCook's refusal to allow District 8 to install water filtration units.

* Changing District 8 from K-8 to K-4.

* One teacher at District 8.

Dr. Marchant's recommended that school board members review the purpose of an operating council, which, he said, is to assist with budget and staffing.

Power told board members that the operating council needs information in order to propose and submit a budget as called for in LB 126, the state legislation that merged K-8 Class I's into K-12 Class III's in June.

"Our attorney advices us that we need to follow LB 126," Power said. "It is the law, not necessarily adminsitrative policy."

Mark Searcey was appointed to fill a vacancy on the operating council created when Bev Williams declined to serve.

In other action:

* Finance Committee member Tom Bredvick said progress continues on the school district's new budget. Special meetings may be scheduled as budget work sessions.

* Board members approved on second reading these board policies: oath of office, board committees, special ad hoc committees, legal services for the school district, treasurer, regular board meetings, closed sessions, meeting notices and meeting minutes.