Longmeadow High School - Masacksic Yearbook (Longmeadow, MA)

Page 15 text:

1. Virginia Allison 2. Donald Ladd 3. Eve Dolgin 4. Russell Cobbs 5. Nancy Eaton 6. Melvin Grant 7. Ann Marie Lynch 8. Mary Ellen Minechiello 9. Olivio Lopes 10. Susan Broderick 11. Judy Pincus 12 Bibe Schnitzer 13. Philip Glynn 14. Roger LeBlanc 15. Claire Satta 16 Kathleen Bennett € ¥ 1 5 j B m ■Hf — •■i - 111 mk -£U M » Ml 14 ■ W 11

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The environment in the English de- partment was seriously altered this year, especially for seniors who were suddenly mixed in heterogeneous classes. Except for the advanced placement students, all seniors found themselves among others with higher and lower intellectual capacities. This was a controversial issue throughout the year, causing an unstable atmo- sphere. Since the program was in its origins, all side and opinions were con- sidered for evaluation. Some teachers and students felt that the new system was more realistic in relation to the outside world, because people are not normally tracked . Also, a valuable exchange of ideas was still apparent in the new classes. Others felt very un- comfortable and saw a loss of motiva- tion when an individual was placed with a group of higher or lower achievers. They felt that the discussions were dominated by smarter students while the others sat back overwhelmed or uninterested. Strong opinions were held in all classes both in favor of the program and against it. Whether one felt secure or not, there was definitely an acknowl- edgement of a change in atmosphere within the English environment. 10

Page 16 text:

During his sabattical year, Mr. Villeneuve lived with his family in France for the 1975-1976 season. He noticed many differences between the academic structures in France and those in the United States. One of the major points is that high school students in the United States are more college oriented, while a large percentage of French students choose some type of competitive vocational school instead. Other young people begin on-the-job training in direct preparation for their future careers. Those students going from high school to vocational school are limited in number because of the few schools offered and the inconvenience of their locations. France, in trying to alleviate this situation, is building more high schools to better educate the young people. Mr. Villeneuve feels that this will only cause more problems, because using the money to build high schools limits the funds available for the construction of voca- tional schools, which would be more profitable to the students. France is working to abolish this situation, Mr. Villeneuve says, but it will be a long, slow struggle. 12