The Fayette Citizen-News Page
Wednesday, March 24, 1999
DeCotis defends ITI curriculum

Not 'warmed-over' Outcome Based Education, says superintendent-to-be

By PAT NEWMAN
Staff Writer

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Are instructional techniques becoming too radical in some Fayette County Schools?

That's what Chris and Ron Baran of Peachtree City believe. At the last Fayette County Board of Education meeting, Ron Baran told members that ITI (Integrated Thematic Instruction) was taking place in schools all over the county, a practice he believes "...takes away the emphasis on knowledge and high test scores and replaces it with an emphasis on social skills, self-esteem and behavior training."

Not so, says Dr. John DeCotis, currently assistant superintendent for curriculum and chosen by the school board to be the next superintendent.

"ITI has not been formally adopted," DeCotis said. "Our curriculum is skill-based and objective-based." However, teachers have been provided instruction on ITI methods, as described in the 1997-98 Fayette County Public Schools Annual Performance Report.

"The 1997-98 staff development program was highlighted by activities focusing on brain compatible instruction," the report said. "Sessions by nationally known presenters Susan Kovalik and Joy Raboli provided instruction for staff on the ITI model. Sessions for both beginners and those already using brain compatible instruction were presented.

"System coordinators provided follow-up activities, guiding teachers through development of units to use in their classrooms," the report said.

Baran compares ITI to OBE, "warmed-over" Outcome Based Education with some "new twists." OBE espouses abolishing a county-approved curriculum, tests, grades, and instead advocates students working together on group projects and evaluating each other on their group's success and cooperation skills, according to Baran.

"The county has not and will not adopt an OBE program," DeCotis said. He explained that bringing speakers in to address teachers is an integral part of the county's staff development program. Kovalik's session on ITI was held two years ago.

One of the aspects of ITI focuses on life skills; teaching children how to be patient, show cooperation and caring and develop integrity, among other values. DeCotis explained that "character education" has become a "big thing" on the state level recently, and school districts are mandated to include it in its teaching practices.

One of the resources teachers have at their disposal is a book called "Tribes," which DeCotis said was purchased with state staff development money at the suggestion of the county's staff development committee.

Baran calls "Tribes" "an extremely liberal, humanistic textbook a behavior modification program designed to make your children conform to 'new age thinking.'"

DeCotis said the book has not been adopted as part of the schools' curriculum, but is used for ideas as "ice breakers." He said he regards the county's teachers as professionals who have discretion over what they do in their own classrooms.

"It's hard to micro-manage things that go on in the classroom," he said. "If it goes too far; when it's violating curriculum guidelines, then we bring them back," he said.

DeCotis referred to "Tribes" as something given to teachers as a "tool kit."

While the Barans have met with DeCotis on several occasions to discuss their concerns over the ITI approach and accompanying literature, they are still dissatisfied. DeCotis said their concerns were investigated and some action was taken but the bottom line was, "I'm sorry they feel it hasn't worked out."


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