New Courses, Partnerships, and Professional Development October 20, 2020

Dover School District Update: New Courses, Partnerships, and Professional Development

October 20, 2020, update to the Dover School District highlighted exciting developments in curriculum offerings, partnerships, and professional development initiatives aimed at fostering student creativity, inclusion, and academic success.

New High School Courses: Practical Math & Final Cut Pro

Two new courses, Practical Math and Final Cut Pro, have been added to the high school curriculum for the 2020-2021 school year. These additions aim to provide students with hands-on, real-world skills:

• Practical Math focuses on equipping students with essential math skills for daily life.

• Final Cut Pro returns to the catalog, enabling students to explore their creativity in video production. With full support from Apple, the course offers students a platform to develop valuable skills in media and digital storytelling.

These courses reflect the district’s commitment to expanding opportunities for student engagement and career readiness.

Inclusive Education Initiatives

As part of the district’s efforts to create more inclusive classrooms, Dover High School has partnered with the New Jersey Inclusive Education Technical Assistance Project. This initiative includes:

• Six weeks of co-teaching training for 18 high school teachers, four students, four special education teachers, and building administrators.

• Collaboration with experts from the NJ Department of Education, Montclair State University, and the NJ Coalition for Inclusive Education.

This program emphasizes evidence-based practices to meet students’ needs in the least restrictive environment, advancing the district’s vision for inclusive education.

Professional Development Highlights

The district continues to prioritize professional development for staff:

• Apple Vanguard Program: Middle school teachers participated in professional development sessions this week, with additional training for high school and elementary staff scheduled for November and December. The focus is on integrating Apple technologies to enhance teaching and learning.

• Trauma-Sensitive Schools Training: Dover Middle School is partnering with Dr. Melissa Sadan, a director and published expert in trauma-sensitive education, to create a responsive professional development program. This initiative will help teachers better support students who may be affected by trauma.

Career Technical Education (CTE) Partnership with CCM

Dover has renewed discussions with the County College of Morris (CCM) to establish a new Career Technical Education (CTE) program in the Fine and Performing Arts Department. Key highlights include:

• Aligning course outcomes and teacher credentials to meet CTE and higher education standards.

• Exploring additional opportunities to expand CTE programs across other departments.

The district aims to launch this new CTE pathway in the 2021-2022 school year, providing students with career-focused learning opportunities.

Updates on Testing and Calendar Planning

While minimal testing information has been released to parents, the district is awaiting guidance from the NJ Department of Education to finalize its spring 2021 testing calendar. Once the state provides more details, the district will share updates and make necessary adjustments.

Looking Ahead

The Dover School District’s efforts to expand its curriculum, foster inclusivity, and enhance professional development reflect its dedication to providing a well-rounded, supportive learning environment. With new course offerings, partnerships, and training programs, the district is equipping both students and staff for success in the classroom and beyond.