Taskforce+Goals

__ **Exploratory Taskforce Outcome** __


 * The taskforce is charged with the overall organization of the program based on the goals and objectives agreed upon during the 08/09 school year.**

Exploratory Electives (EE) 08/09 (from Andy Torris) Group: Matt, Theron, Scott, Shannon, Lou, Ron Areas of Exploratory Electives: o Service Learning o Sports (Healthy Lifestyle) o Visual and Performing Arts o Digital Literacy o Leadership o Special interest o Cultural exploration

Goal: To provide opportunities during a school day to choose from a broad spectrum of exploratory options.

Outcomes: •EAGLES are dispositions we want them to develop •At a minimum, the students will reflect on the EAGLES for each exploratory elective •Awareness, exposure, appreciation to options, knowledge, skills, and ideas

Expectations: We at Shanghai American School believe that… •Students should be provided opportunities during the school day to make authentic personal choices from a broad spectrum of exploratory elective courses. •Students are empowered when they choose their exploratory elective courses with guidance from their advisor. •Students should have opportunities to reflect on their past and future exploratory elective choices. Outcomes: •We believe that through exploratory elective classes students will develop an awareness and appreciation for various topics through exposure to a wide variety of knowledge, ideas, and skills. •The Shanghai American School community values a high quality program that allows students to develop self-knowledge and opportunities for enrichment. Through these exploratory elective options, students will move closer to an understanding of the EAGLES.

Students get to choose •Provide opportunities during the school day •Authentic choices they get to make •Minimize conflicts with other activities •Outcomes are for one quarter only •Advisors should help guide students to make choices from the different categories •Appropriate guidance for kids to make good choices •Experience things they may not have other opportunities to do oAdvisors will be in communication with students to assist them to reflect on their learning

__Marie__ 1. A clear **vision for** what our exploratory **program** is trying to achieve and have that **tied into EAGLES** 2. A **definition** of our exploratory program 3. A way of ensuring that students are able to **get their first choice** as much as possible 4. A way of ensuring that teachers are **teaching** the exploratory they have a **passion for** 5. A **catalogue** of offerings 6. A system set in place for **student and teacher feedback** on courses offered (therefore knowing when more than one section of an exploratory can/should be offered) 7. A closer look at the availability of **facilities**, especially when it comes to wetter weather. Should all of the sports exploratories be offered during the same quarter during the winter? 8. A way of **tying** exploratory to **community service/outreach** 9. Getting a **balance** for students where they are exposed to **part academic/part athletic exploratories 10. A way of ****sharing products/achievements/** in exploratory courses with the rest of the school through assemblies or other means. 11. A way of involving the **PTA** some way

__Brad__ Solidify the Exploratory program as a essential component to our middle school program.

Create a matirx of offerings for the year that will allow students to "map out" their year.
 * Matt**
 * Some courses will be offered once
 * Some may be offered multiple quarters
 * Some will be offered each quarter
 * A few courses will required multiple quarter commitment

Use the data we have to develop a system that easily and effectively: a) registers students into their most favored choices (without sacrificing course diversity) b) gives teachers clear direction for what courses need to be taught throughout the year (so we can prepare)
 * __Danny__**

Check out my semi-crazy idea on the "Course Catalog " page.