Minutes for VAPA Department Meeting 2/11/14

Minutes for VAPA department meeting 2/11/14

Those present:

Steve Burch, Jose Castillo, Ross Rosenfeld, David Yakerson, Jennifer Vorse, Alicia Arlington, Beverly Oisuka, Amy Garcia

Department budget:

I asked all teachers to submit information on items need to order from the LAUSD store. This was done during the department meeting because I did not receive any requests since the last meeting. Total amount of supplies is 843.09 – agreed to by all members. Copy of request is attached.

Common Core –

Yakerson talked about how common core is affecting student transfers during the year from (for example) beginning chorus to advanced choir. A student in beginning chorus who is making great progress cannot be moved into advanced choir during the middle of the year. The solution to this seems counter-intuitive: Make all the choir classes “beginning chorus”, even the period 4 choir that is currently called advanced choir. However, this can be look negative for those who really are in advanced choir, if their transcript shows the class as beginning chorus. This solution was offered by one the counselors (who will not be named in this report).

Gradual Release Model –

Burch demonstrated computer music lessons using the computers in the library. This led to a discussion of how to implement the GRM into arts instruction, as well as ways in which the arts are being used to teach skills needed for common core.

We also talked about the need to upload student grades weekly. This is not being done by many teachers at this school right now, perhaps because there is little knowledge of how to do it, and there has been no professional development time devoted to it this academic year. This brought up the question about whetherthe school has the current version of EasyGrade Pro, and if so, why don’t all the teachers know about it and/or use it. There was also discussion about other grade programs (eg. on ISIS) and advantages / disadvantages of each.

Steve Burch

Department Chair