SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO : Plan for Schools Closer to Adoption

A plan drafted by more than 400 people to guide the Capistrano Unified School District into the next century has moved a step closer to approval.

The district’s Board of Trustees last week considered three of 14 specific action plans in the “Capistrano 2000” document, involving such goals as increased use of technology in schools and increased decision-making power for parents, administrators, teachers, staff and students.

Three of the goals have already been discussed at previous meetings.

“Overall, it’s been extremely positive,” said board President Marlene Draper. “I’ve found a lot of people who have been pleased with the fact they’ve been able to be so involved in the planning process.”

Trustees will consider the remaining action plans during a regularly scheduled board meeting Feb. 16 and are expected to take a final vote sometime in March.

During two public hearings in late January, much of the debate centered on three proposed goals: requiring students to participate in community and school service as a condition of graduation, developing more extensive programs for students who speak little or no English and encouraging second languages for English-speaking students and increasing programs designed to promote an understanding and appreciation of human diversity.

A handful of parents have objected to these goals, saying they believe traditional academic activities and English-only immersion programs should be stressed for students who are not native speakers.

For example, parent Jim Robertson said the human diversity plan contains “noble” goals, but he doesn’t think public schools should teach “how different we are.”

“The program is not academic,” he told the trustees.

Work on the plan started a year ago, when three town hall forums were held, giving community members a chance to voice concerns and aspirations about the future of education. In late January, 1992, a 51-member planning team met for two and a half days to develop the basic structure of the proposed plan.

Since then, more than 400 parents, community members, students and school district employees have worked on 14 action teams to develop the various strategies.

Once approved, educators will begin putting into action the various proposals. The plan will guide the district over the next seven years.