Trustees Approve New Civic Quest Course at Finley

J. Taylor Finley Middle School seventh graders will be taking a new half year, alternating day course next year titled Civic Quest. Huntington School Board members approved the proposal to create the new class during a public meeting at Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School this past Tuesday night.

Finley Principal Traci Roethel made a presentation explaining the rationale for creating the new course and providing a course description. The new course had been previously approved by the district’s Subject Matter Council and Educational Development Committee.

“This course will be provided to all grade seven students in three units in an issue-based format while teaching skills in civic engagement,” Ms. Roethel said. “The focus will be placed upon project-based learning, simulations and collaborative problem solving. Students will build upon their learning in grade six, where they have explored town-level issues, and expand their understanding of the three branches of government to the state level. Students will also engage in hands-on projects impacting our Huntington community.”

Trustees were provided with the course rationale, which reads like this:

“Civic Quest will establish a foundational civic mindset for all grade seven students through the study and practice in skills of civic engagement and deliberative democracy. This course will provide a way for some students to receive credit toward the Seal of Civic Readiness if they choose to explore this pathway. The course will allow grade seven students to collaborate and develop a common understanding of our collective local and national history while recognizing the rich history and heritage of our diverse community.”

The course will be offered to approximately 300 Finley seventh graders next year. Staffing will not be increased due to the new class. A team of teachers will engage in curriculum writing and alignment