LEADING the way to a new system of learning, Brianne Miller and Dwayne. Thorkelson are part of an ungraded class of children at Tharnhill Primary School. The new system is to begin across the province in September. School questions TERRACE — The province's plans to completely revolu- tionize the public school system by the year 2000 are good in theory, but school board chair- man Edna Cooper says many question marks remain. The $1.5-billion 0-year plan is to phase out the current grades in favour of a “‘con- tinuous progress”? four-year primary program, a seven-year intermediate program and a two-year graduation program, The underlying philosophy is that children learn at different rates and should be allowed to progress individually at their own speed and in their own direction, Besides wiping out grades, the new system would alsc climinate the familiar letter grade assessment system, by one in which teachers report a stu- dent’s individual progress. But Cooper said the exact form the new system — beginn- ing here in September as children enter che primary pro- gram — will take is still being worked out. ‘‘We still don’t have enough information from ;+ the yprovincial government - of : how it’s all going:to work’. She predicted‘ the. biggest © ‘obstacles will be assessing MOUNT LAYTON HOT SPRINGS RESORT LTD. FUN - FUN - Slides & pools every Manday, 2 for 1, bring a friend, students individually and im- plementing the intermediate program ~~ the equivalent af grades 4 to LO. But the most vocal concern of parents is that a system to better accommodate slower learners will mean lower standards for everyone and students will graduate unprepared for univer- sity. “The way the schools are now, they’re mainly university- driven,’? Cooper said. Schools conform to the standards set by _the universities, she said, while only eight per cent of students actually zo on to them. The new system would put less emphasis on university, with a graduation program that would give students credit for getting work or trade ex- eww En ee ee eee ee ee ee ae a TERRACE — Eliminating the “You would”: grade system in schools so chitdren aren’t all forced to learn at the same rate is not a new idea, according to one local teacher. Thornhill Primary » School teacher Dawn Allan is one of four teachers at the school tak- ing part in a school district pilot project in -preparation for sweeping changes coming to the ly. public school system. “There isn’t any Kind of label Allan said the new system’s -: on anybody,’* sald Allan,-who focus — replacing up to grade is teaching a class of what were 10 by the year 2000 with a pro-' grade 1-3 students at Thornhill. gram of ‘‘continuous learning’’ — has been used in elementary -to get slotted into some group schools before to allow children .they’re never going to get out to learn at their own rates. ‘of,”" Classes in the past have been broken into three groups to split off the above- and below- average students for more specialized treatment, she said. remain perience. “The universities are going to have to adapt,’’ she said.‘'They’re going to have to accept different standards.” But students going to out-of- province universities could en- counter less support. “I have not got an answer for that. But we don’t know what's going to happen. This could end up turning out brilliant students the other universities will be . clamouring for." Cooper said the school district wants to make parents and teachers better informed of the changes coming to ease some of their fears. crows, But “everybody knew who the crows were and that they were always going to be crows," another step forward in which _and in their own direction has been paying off in her class: ' “One little boy who didn't Teams and reams in his journal — and now, lo and behold, he’s suddenly reading very well.” Letting children choose their own directions puts. more _ responsibility on them to make decisions to look after their own education, but Allan said that's not necessarily bad. **You don’t suddenly turn 16 or 18 and instantly know how to make decisions,’’ she said, ex- plaining that children need to learn to make choices when everything decided for them. Mixing alder and younger students has yielded unexpected benefits, Allan said. ‘‘The younger ones see the older ones reading and they’re encouraged to read too.” bluebirds,. the’ redbirds: and ‘the ~ a _ Terrace Cliff Sharples Pete Mute . Al ‘Rasika *. General Mgr. =» Sales Mgr. Parts Mar. ' __, Parte and Service Hours: ne * Monday 8 am - 5 pin -uaday «Fray 8 am = 9 pn Saluday 9 am: Spm, 3467 Highway 16 East Business: 635-9198 Terrace, B.C," "Fax: 635-0116 - The new system to introduced in the primary program next — INTERNATIONAL TRUCKS “L.Ed: International Trucks Ltd. Terrace, B.C., V8G 4P3 September will take the. idea © children learn more individual-~ “This way a child is less likely i= She said the concept of letting _. children learn at their own pace ff read very well has been writing. they're. young and not have — PLACE T0 UNWIND? ~ - Look no Further. . We have everything you're looking for. Good times, ‘good F company, relaxing atmosphere and friendly staff! Pool Tournament every Saturday starting at 1: 00 | pn. ; Kitchen Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 12:00 noon - 8:00 p.m. CLOSED MONDAYS Eat in Or Take Out Frasi Baking | Avaiabie, “THORNHILL NEIGHBOURHOOD PUB 2387 Thomhill St., 6 3 8-8 404) Terrace, B.C. (ff wn » EVERY WEDNESDAY — | 18 SUDS DAY! “"t’s a 10-year process. It’s not going to happen tomorrow. But we're taking the first step tomorrow,”" on January 3 and 4, 1990, - FUN , CITY OF TERRACE ‘he tga NOTICE TERRACE OT The City of Terrace will pick up discarded Christmas trees Please place trees where refuse 's normally left for pick up. Public works Dept. ee 1 98- 2214 After 4:30 p.m. all pools l and slides are 2 for 1. Balwinder and Kewal take this opportunity to wish alll their” friends and customers in Terrace, Kitimat, Prince Rupert & surrounding areas a Happy New Year! *- Thanks for making 1989 a success. We look forward to serving you In the '90’s! ‘the Cp-op. George Kozak - YOUR WASH SAVER STORE”, Terrace Co-op) =| |. Food Floor Welcomes || © George Kozak ~ “ George, a Terrace resident for 2% years now, is the new Meat Depart- ment Manager at the Terrace Co-op. He offers us 24 years experience in . meat cutting and owned his own . business prior to joining the Co-op. team as Meat Manager. - , He looks - forward | to serving you at : ~ Quality, selection. and orice are ae . our 6 ommitmeht to you. fate | Terrace Co-ap Department Store - 4617 Greig Ave., Terrace B. C. Phone 636-6947 THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF_ . SCHOOL DISTRICT 88 . ote 7 “THE TERRACE DISTRICT. TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION | are pleased to Jointly sponsor a public forum and day of discussion on the Ministry of Education's “YEAR 2000" proposal for curriculum revision. “PUBLIC FORUM | Sunday, January 14, 1990 Caledonia Lecture Theatre - Mininstry. of Education personnel --and other will review the proposed. teachers, trustees, and: district personnel to meet to discuss the proposed curriculum changes.- Parent and public. participation... AND 7:30 p.m. Re ee ea ee