Save Our Challenge 101

The Challenge Program is aself-selecthonors program in grades 7 and 8, in which students elect to work at a faster pace and are challenged with enriched and more in-depth material. Students can choose to enroll in Challenge classes in English, Social Studies, Science or Math; 60% of all 7th graders enrolled in 1 or more Challenge course this year;

the majority take 1 or 2.

NSD is considering elimination of the self-select Challenge as part of the 2017 Grade Reconfiguration. Elementary Students5thgrade and youngerwill be affected!

Why do we need the self-select Challenge program?

CHOICE:

oAny motivated student can opt-in toone or moreChallenge classes – no testing requirements

oStudents can choose Challenge in their focus subjects, General Education in others

oAny student can opt-out of Challenge and choose any or all General Education classes

EQUITY:

oStudents can take Challenge classes in their home school, no need to be driven across the district

oNo testing required, no need to have parents fill out forms and transport to testing on a Saturday

oStudents make the choice to take one or more Challenge or Gen Ed classes

PEERS:

o Jr. High and Middle School girls often hide their abilities if not surrounded by like-minded peers

  • Students grouped with like-minded peers are more likely to be comfortable taking academic risks.
  • Correct pace of instruction keeps students engaged, not bored.

CLUSTERING FOR HIGHLY-CAPABLE STUDENTS

  • Students who qualified for the district’s test-in AAP (Highly Capable (HiCap)) program, but choose to stay in their home school for services or are unable to find transportation to a hub or AAP school
  • Students who qualified for HiCap in only one subject area and are being served in their home school
  • Unidentified HiCap kids who either didn’t take the district’s tests or didn’t do well on the tests

SUCCESS IN HIGH SCHOOL

Since its inception in 2011, the Self-Select Challenge Program has increased the percentages of students:

  • completing Algebra 1 before 9th grade (key to being college-ready)
  • taking advanced math beyond Algebra 2
  • taking 2 or more advanced courses (AP, IB or College in the HS) in High School
  • attaining higher standardized test scores than the total student population
  • attaining higher grades in High School classes

What will the district replace Challenge classes with if they remove it?

  • The Academic Subcommittee of the Middle School Task Force has recommended a heterogeneous classroom model with challenge curriculum for all, where students of all ability levels would be distributed throughout middle school classrooms. There would be no “opt-outs.”
  • Teachers would be required to differentiate instruction and homework for every child in their classroom.
  • To implement the heterogeneous model, the district would have to invest in the purchase of new curriculum, professional development, cross-disciplinary collaboration time, and extra help in every classroom.
  • There has been no plan articulated for increasing assistance for students who are already struggling.

I want toSave our Challenge. What can I do to help?

Contact the School Board BEFORE April 26, 2016: (,,,,)

Attend the School Board Meeting on April 26 at 7pm.Bring your kids!

Tell your friends!

Learn more at our website: