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Duggan Middle School switches to new pilot program

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



SPRINGFIELD - One Springfield middle school is preparing for a new way of teaching and learning.

Over 70 prospective teachers attended a job fair at the Duggan Middle School on Wednesday for positions in the new pilot school program at the middle school.

Principal Jonathan Swan told Reminder Publications that he was very pleased with the number of applicants and that he and his staff are still responding to inquiries about teaching positions there.

Duggan is a "pilot school of expeditionary learning," and Swan explained that while "pilot schools" are not new in the state Boston has had them since the mid 1990s it is a new concept for the Springfield school district.

A pilot school is largely autonomous, Swan explained. Although pilot schools are still held to federal and state mandates such as the MCAS test the school's staff can develop their own curriculum, decide which textbooks to use, allocate their budget according to their individual needs and alter their school schedule.

Swan said, that for example, when the pilot program is in place this fall, Duggan students won't have to report to school until 10:30 a.m. on Wednesdays. This change in the schedule creates a time in which the teachers to meet and collaborate.

Another change is in the way support staff at the school is hired. Each position will have a job description with expectation that must be met.

"Expeditionary learning" is a model of school reform, Swan added. Students learn about topics through the completion of projects, "in-depth investigation," he explained.

Another aspect to the expeditionary approach is community service for both teachers and students, Swan said.

Swan and his staff are looking for teachers who are excited by this approach. Even the interviews are different as students guided the prospective teachers through the school and participated in the interviews themselves.

The students going to Duggan will still be primarily within its boundary, although Swan said what neighborhoods are included in that boundary might change due to re-districting. Duggan is still a magnet school, which includes students from around the city.

Swan said the interviewing process will be going on through the summer and he is still interested in receiving applications. The best way to contact him about teaching positions is by e-mail at swan.j.sps.springfield.mas.us