BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF GEORGIA

270 WASHINGTON STREET, S.W.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30334-1450

 

Daniel S. Papp                                                                                                                                                        Phone (404) 656-2274

Senior Vice Chancellor                                                                                                                                        Fax (404) 463-6682

for Academics and Fiscal Affairs                                                                                                   dpapp@usg.edu

                                                                                                                                                                                   

 

                 

 

TO:      Selected USG Committee Chairs

FROM: Senior Vice Chancellor Papp

SUBJECT: Urgent Request for Review of DOE Curriculum

DATE: January 27, 2004

 

The Georgia Department of Education has proposed a new curriculum for K-12 in English/language arts and reading, mathematics, science and social studies that is a major revision of the current curriculum and could have a substantial impact on the preparation of students entering the University System. Last week the Department of Education requested input from the University System on this curriculum.

 

We believe that it is extremely important for the USG to be involved in the review of the proposed curriculum, called the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS) and described on the Georgia DOE website at http://www.glc.k12.ga.us/spotlight/gps2.htm. The Vice Presidents for Academic Affairs will be requesting that all interested faculty members review the curriculum and provide feedback through their academic committee representatives and the DOE website. In addition, we believe that a formal "official" review by the relevant USG committees followed by a letter from the Chancellor incorporating points from the committees sent to the DOE will have an impact on any revision of the curriculum.

 

We are seeking specific responses through the USG committee system from those discipline committees where the core subject matter is most impacted. These are the four areas of science, English language arts, mathematics and social studies. Specifically, we are requesting that the following committees formally review and submit a report on the proposed curriculum in the areas indicated:

 

 

USG Academic Committee(s)

DOE Subject Area(s)

Mathematical Subjects

Learning Support

Mathematics

English,

Learning Support

English/Language Arts, including reading across the curriculum

Biological Sciences

Science (Biology)

Chemistry

Science (Chemistry)

Physics and Astronomy

Science (Physics and Physical Science)

History

Social Studies (History)

Political Science

Social Studies (Government/Civics)

Business/Economics

Social Studies (Economics)

 

 

 

 

In addition, we are requesting that the Council on General Education review the proposed curriculum with emphasis on how it will prepare high school graduates for entrance into the USG core curriculum. Finally, we would like the Educator Preparation Academic Advisory Committee (EPAAC) to review the curriculum to evaluate the impact on new teacher preparation and continuing staff development for existing teachers.

 

Please review the curriculum in your committee's assigned area or areas based on your expectations of what all entering freshman should know and be able to do as well as what all high school graduates should know and be able to do. (It is our understanding that all high school graduates will be required to meet the proposed standards and that DOE has indicated that all high school graduates will now be prepared for college in the subject areas addressed in the revised curriculum.) Consider the following questions in your review:

 

1.     Does the curriculum cover all of the knowledge and skills necessary for success in

college core curriculum courses in the subject area? Are the necessary content and

skills covered in sufficient depth to prepare students for college? (If there are gaps,

please identity specific areas.)

 

2.     Will the adoption of this curriculum lead to a higher level of college preparation for

Georgia high school graduates?

 

3. Is it consistent with our expectations for entering freshman?

 

4.     Are the content and tasks accurate and relevant? (Be specific in identifying and

describing any strengths and weaknesses.)

 

5.     Does the alignment of content and skills within and across grade levels appear to be

appropriate?

 

We are requesting that each committee produce one report representing the consensus of the group. While the executive committee or a subgroup may draft the report, please make sure that each member has an opportunity to comment and to review the final report either at a meeting or electronically. Individual committee and faculty members should also feel free to provide feedback directly to DOE through the DOE website. Your committee's System Office liaison will contact you to answer questions and will coordinate communication between your committee members and the DOE staff contact persons in each discipline area.

 

Please be as specific as possible in your report so that your comments and suggestions will be useful to the DOE committees revising the standards and tasks.

 

The committee reports are to be sent by March 5 to Dorothy.zinsmeister@usg.edu In addition, a copy should be forwarded to your committee's System Office liaison. The reports will be compiled by System Office staff and recommendations provided to the Chancellor. The Chancellor will send a coordinated USG response to the Department of Education.

 

We know this is a big task that needs to be accomplished in a very short period of time, but we believe that is of critical importance to the future of the USG and greatly appreciate your work on this review.