PTA Report of the
April Meeting of the Dean’s Parent Advisory Council
Participants: David Hough, Debbie Yocum, Mary Byrne, Sarah
Muegge, Mary Anne H’Doubler
Dr. Hough apologized that timing of prior notice of the
meeting was inadequate, and reported on the topics addressed at the Dean’s GLS
Faculty Advisory Council meeting. Topics and participant comments from the
faculty and parent meetings are as follows:
Perspective on Laboratory School Function from External Sources. Trish Goddard and
Janice Reynolds attended the 2002 Laboratory School Conference. Dr. Hough and
Dr. Brown visited six laboratory schools in Louisiana.
Types of information gathered from those sources were pertinent to issues
addressed by the GLS community. For example, they gathered information about
financing of laboratory schools, teacher qualifications and dress code. Dr.
Hough would like to see language about these issues addressed in the long range
strategic plan for GLS.
Financing of Laboratory Schools.
Tuition at the laboratory schools in Louisiana
ranged from $500 to $800.00, and was used to provide scholarships for
disadvantaged students. The state financed the laboratory school by reimbursing
the local school parish (i.e., district) for the equivalent amount of average
daily attendance of students. The GLS faculty seemed receptive to this type of
arrangement because they could receive higher salaries,
and Missouri State tenure and promotion requirements would be replaced with district
career ladders if teachers were public school employees rather than university
employees.
Dress Code. A dress code
drafted by the GLS student council was put into effect as of April 15, 2002. This dress code
applies during the school day and at all school activities. Dr. Hough suggested
that language about discussing the adoption of school uniforms be included in
the strategic plan. During discussions about the adoption of a dress code, it
was noted that GLS students were not adverse to school uniforms, provided they
had input in the adoption process. The Louisiana
Tech Laboratory School
has school uniforms that include a selection of coordinated shirts, slacks, and
skirts. A similar type of uniform might be considered, or specification of
commercially available clothes (e.g., specific types and colors of jeans and
tees) might be suitable. If the GLS community decided it wanted to adopt school
uniforms, Dr. Hough would support the recommendation. It was recommended that
future discussion of a dress code or school uniform include student education
about a rationale for clothing selection based on information regarding
nonverbal communication implicit in certain styles of clothing.
Faculty Qualifications.
Although the hiring policy at GLS requires applicants for a faculty position to
have a master’s degree plus three years of experience, however, not all faculty have these qualifications. Sometimes, out of
necessity, persons who do not have master’s degrees are hired. The GLS faculty
expressed the opinion that the mix of various faculty backgrounds is desirable,
and that a master’s degree does not guarantee good teaching skills. Participants discussed the Missouri
teacher certification requirement that teachers have course credit almost
commensurate with a master’s degree and requirements for ongoing professional
development to ensure that faculty are current in their professional knowledge.
Participants also discussed the relationship of initial teacher qualification
with the parallel issue of Missouri State tenure requirements for GLS faculty. If persons without master’s degrees qualified
for a faculty position, a parallel change would have to be made so that person
could potentially meet tenure requirements. Further discussion included the
need to examine the relationship between job tasks of faculty at GLS and tenure
requirements that are based on Missouri State faculty job tasks.
Search for a Director. The search committee is
currently reviewing the pool of candidates. The committee will probably decide
on finalists to interview by May 17. Arrangements will be made for Greenwood
parents to meet candidates during the interview process.
GLS Summer School. Brochures
describing the summer program are available. They will be distributed
throughout the community.
Future Meetings of the Dean’s Parent Advisory Council.
Dr. Hough will continue parent advisory meetings until a new director is hired.
After the hiring process is complete, meetings will be organized by the
director.
Respectfully submitted by
Mary Byrne
April 17, 2002