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Redesigned curriculum at Cape Hatteras Secondary School enters second year
By SUSAN WEST
Cape Hatteras Secondary School of Coastal Studies is implementing new
models of teaching and learning in the second year of a five-year grant
from the North Carolina New Schools Project.
But Assistant Principal Jean Taylor said teaching and learning at the
school will continue to change even after the final year of the grant
program.
“Redesigning is here to stay. We are committed to staying
ahead of the game so that our students are successful,” Taylor
said.
The North Carolina New Schools Project awards grants to small high
schools across the state to plan and implement academically rigorous
programs that prepare all students for college and work. The
state project received $11 million from the Bill and Melinda Gates
Foundation in 2003.
Taylor said Cape Hatteras Secondary School has combined dramatic
changes in the academic program with the new coastal studies theme that
draws heavily on the natural and cultural environment of Hatteras
Island.
“We’re integrating the natural and cultural resources in
our community into the curriculum as much as possible,” she said.
Taylor said those resources range from using relevant books in
literature classes to teaching fishing techniques in physical education
to developing a finfish and oyster hatchery in science class.
The school has partnered with the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum,
National Park Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
U.S. Coast Guard, and other organizations to offer students internships
and learning experiences outside the classroom setting.
“Internships and career shadowing can ignite a student’s
passion or the student might decide that career just isn’t for
them, but either way the experiences help students plan for the
future,” Taylor explained.
The school wants all of its graduates to have a college or technical study plan.
“Our students need to be globally competitive,” said Taylor.
The redesigned curriculum places a strong emphasis on the development of critical thinking and problem solving skills.
“Personalization of instruction based on ability and interest is
important. We are a small school and we know our students,”
Taylor explained.
She added that the school is also focusing on staff development, and
encouraging teachers to work with their colleagues more often.
“This is a very exciting time for our school and we plan to be a model for other schools in the state,” Taylor said.
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