Stop the Dismantling of Advanced and Gifted Classes at Great Valley

I find it difficult to rationalize the argument that our students would somehow be better served under a less specific and more generalized program with no differentiation among children of varying abilities. By simply announcing these changes without a careful and considered dialog with both parents and students over a reasonable period of time seems a sham by the district. It is hard to envision any positive outcome for the students under this proposal, and objectively I cannot see it as anything more than a cost-cutting measure by the district. As Downingtown continues to excel with, and garner accolades for their STEM Academy high-school, which is highly focused on providing a dedicated, rigorous environment to challenge high-ability students, under this new program at Great Valley we are left with what seems little more than a 'one-size-fits-all' approach. How can two neighboring districts be so disparate in their methodology if both truly value student achievement as their ultimate measure of success in education? Where else has the Great Valley district looked and seen high-level success with such a 'cookie-cutter' approach to the curriculum? I am deeply troubled as I believe the district is moving in the wrong direction.

Gifted programs are crucial for GVSD

Sincerely hope the school district will listen to us parents and work towards a satisfactory solution.

GVSD needs to attract and keep the brightest students instead of losing them to TE and DASD.

Would love to see differentiated attention within classrooms but really see the need to first differentiate classrooms. It seems so much better for every kid to be at the overall level that best suits them - with added customized attention within that leve. I feel strongly that each kid needs to be pushed and supported as much as possible based on their needs to thrive and succeed and the best starting point for that is in groups at roughly the same level. There will still be tons of diversity and learning opportunities within that.

I have consulted with my kids, one in advanced math at KDM and one in LA at Great Valley Middle School. They both believe that there should be separate classes for students of different levels so teachers in each class can concentrate their effort on a smaller set of materials and dive deeper. I personally don't understand how a teacher can manage a 40-50 minute lesson having to provide individualized teaching to a class of students who are all over on the learning scale. Thanks!

Should L-AG be LA-G? Please check with other middle school parent.

Please keep these programs which so many students benefit from.

Putting advanced students to grade level classroom to improve their test scores is counter intuitive and anti common sense. If students are not challenged enough in the advanced class, it doesn’t make sense to expect them to get more challenges in a lower level class. If you really want to implement differentiate teaching, please keep the advanced classes and do differentiate teaching there too. Removing advanced classes will also make Great Valley district less attractive to families with high achieving children. Great Valley needs to look up to TE and other better performing school districts and provide more support to our advanced students, not doing the opposite.

Strongly support the initiative!

I have concern with having one teacher teaching multiple groups of kids in the same class. I believe it is less efficient for the teacher to teach and kids to learn. It is irresponsible for the district to make such a decision without first making sure that this decision will NOT negatively impact the students' scores and the school district's overall ranking.

The burden to the teacher based on the change is so great. We don't believe that it will benefit any student by stretching teachers too much.

We need to keep up with TE and Downingtown STEM! This would definitely be a step in the wrong direction!