District/School Administration Administration
Board in Brief

This is "Board in Brief," issued at the request of Commissioner David P. Driscoll, to bring you up to date on Board of Education matters. This is a report on the special meeting held on Monday, April 24, 2000, and the regular monthly meeting held on Tuesday, April 25, 2000 in Pittsfield.

Special Meeting

At the special meeting the Board discussed the School and District Performance Evaluation process. Juliane Dow, Administrator for Accountability and Targeted Assistance, outlined for the Board the proposed District Performance Evaluation Standards, which will include a review of curriculum and instruction, preparation of students for post-secondary education, teacher quality, the learning environment for students, student support services, and district organizational effectiveness. The Board also received information about the School Panel Review process, which the Department is using for the first time this spring in eight middle schools that have been recommended for review based on their 1998 and 1999 MCAS scores.

No votes were taken at the special meeting.

Regular Meeting

Comments from the Commissioner

Commissioner Driscoll reported on progress in revising the Mathematics curriculum framework. The Assessment Development Committee has provided the Department with a number of recommendations for aligning the framework and the assessment. In addition, the Department is reviewing the new National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) standards and the recommendations of several groups of educators that have been convened at the Commissioner's invitation, to prepare the final framework document. Commissioner Driscoll observed that almost all of the hundreds of educators he has talked with agree that students need to be able to understand the underlying mathematical concepts and perform the operations and functions accurately and efficiently. He said he is optimistic that the Mathematics framework will be presented at the May Board meeting and that it will be an excellent document.

The Commissioner updated the Board on the Lawrence Public Schools' search for a new superintendent. A nine-member steering committee appointed jointly by Lawrence Mayor Dowling, who chairs the School Committee, and by the Commissioner, will conduct the superintendent search. Matt George, former superintendent of the Brockton Public Schools, will chair the search committee.

Proposed Amendments to the Regulations on Educator Certification

The Board voted unanimously to seek public comment on proposed amendments to the Regulations on Educator Certification. Commissioner Driscoll said, "These amendments are intended to attract highly qualified people into teaching and school administration, through a variety of routes." Deputy Commissioner Sandra Stotsky presented an overview of some of the proposed changes in the regulations.

The amended regulations would, among other things: strengthen the subject matter knowledge requirement for every license/certificate; clarify and strengthen the professional standards for teachers and administrators; establish alternative ways that prospective teachers and administrators can be prepared for a career in education; and require strong induction programs for beginning teachers. The proposed amended regulations will be released in May for several months of public review and comment. Commissioner Driscoll expects to present the final regulations to the Board for action in the fall.

Adoption of Amendments to Regulations on Equal Educational Opportunity

The Board voted unanimously to adopt amendments to the Regulations on Access to Equal Educational Opportunity (sometimes referred to as the "Chapter 622 Regulations"). The amendments clarify the regulations and update them to reflect the current Equal Educational Opportunity statute, which was amended in 1993 to include sexual orientation. The statute prohibits public schools from discriminating against students based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin or sexual orientation.

Commissioner Driscoll said, "These regulations are needed to help protect students from discrimination and harassment. I believe the changes will make a tremendous difference to students." Board Chairman James Peyser added, "The regulations, as amended, are intended to ensure that all public schools provide a civil, respectful environment that fosters high academic achievement. They are narrowly tailored for that purpose." The amended regulations will take effect on May 25, 2000.

Proposed District Performance Standards

The Board voted unanimously to seek public comment on the proposed District Performance Standards. The Department began pilot-testing the district performance evaluation process through visits to several school districts this spring. The Department plans to use the District Performance Standards in its visits to school districts starting in September 2000, as part of the School and District Accountability System. After the period of public comment on the proposed standards, the Board will vote on the final District Performance Standards at its June meeting.

Certificate of Occupational Proficiency

Fran Kane, Administrator for School-to-Career Programs, gave the Board a progress report on the development of the Certificate of Occupational Proficiency, one of three state certificates for students that are authorized under the Education Reform Act. (Earlier this year the Board established standards for the Competency Determination and the Certificate of Mastery.) The Certificate of Occupational Proficiency will be awarded to students who have acquired the Competency Determination and who have demonstrated mastery of skills, competencies and knowledge in a particular trade or professional skill area. Committees of educators and industry representatives are developing proposed standards for the Certificate of Occupational Proficiency in four areas to be implemented starting in FY 2001: automotive technology, culinary arts, horticulture and cosmetology.

Next Board Meeting

The next regular Board of Education meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 23, 2000, in Monson.