Comprehensive Curriculum reshapes CHS academics

Carencro High went through immense changes last year with the introduction of block scheduling into the current curriculum. However, this year brings more adjustments, as CHS switches from a teacher-driven curriculum to the new state-mandated Comprehensive Curriculum.

With this new program, all faculty members are required to turn in two-week lesson plans to principal Annette Rath.

All teachers are to follow strict pacing charts in the classroom and activities are set in the curriculum, so that every teacher of the same subjects and levels must teach the same lesson.

“The new curriculum is very intensive and detailed. It is college-prep and there is too much information to be taught on block scheduling,” English teacher Patricia Delcambre said.

Delcambre believes that the new curriculum will raise standardized test scores.

The new curriculum is more about student activity, rather than teacher lecture. The teachers are also venturing out of the textbook more, and the Comprehensive Curriculum is now the source of information, according to social studies teacher Margaret Sonnier.

“Whether or not I like the new curriculum depends on the success of my students,” Sonnier added.

Although some teachers favor the new program, others have not welcomed it with open arms.

“We are expected to teach too many concepts in one day. And some students may feel it's too much work and stop trying,” math teacher Marilyn Lavezorrio said.

Rath, who is responsible for seeing the Comprehensive Curriculum installed at CHS, finds both positive and negative aspects in it.

She believes it has a strong emphasis on the needs of students to be successful on accountability exams. However, Rath thinks the curriculum is too ridged for all students to be at the same point at the same time.

Blake Viator