District/School Administration Administration
The Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education

Board in Brief
Tuesday, March 29, 2005

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 regular meeting held on Tuesday, March 29, 2005, at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in Malden.

Comments from the Commissioner

Commissioner Driscoll opened the meeting with a presentation on the progress that Massachusetts students and schools have made under education reform, as well as challenges that remain. The presentation, which he has given to several national education groups, highlights the consistent progress students have made on the MCAS, thirteen consecutive years of improvement on SAT scores, and the success of Massachusetts as a state in meeting Adequate Yearly Progress targets in the aggregate.

Commissioner Driscoll announced the appointment of Jeffrey Nellhaus as Deputy Commissioner. Mr. Nellhaus has been with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education since 1986, most recently as Associate Commissioner for Curriculum and Assessment. Commissioner Driscoll said "I am delighted to have Jeff become my Deputy. He is the complete professional, and has distinguished himself throughout the state and the nation through his honest, forthright manner and unique expertise in the complex area of student assessment."

The Commissioner also reported that the Department is pleased to help sponsor a partnership among the Lynn Public Schools, the Massachusetts Federation of Teachers and General Electric Company to provide training for teachers and paraprofessionals in standards-based teaching.

Student Board member Emily Levine updated the Board on her work with students at Holyoke High School. Since the start of the school year Ms. Levine has met six times with Holyoke High School students to talk about the impact of the district's designation as an underperforming district on students. Ms. Levine and Commissioner Driscoll will schedule an additional discussion meeting with the Holyoke students later this spring. Chairman Peyser thanked Ms. Levine for ensuring that student voices are represented in this process.

Proposed Amendment to Add a Science and Technology Requirement to the Competency Determination Regulations

The Board voted to solicit public comment on a proposed amendment to add a Science and Technology/Engineering requirement to the competency determination regulations. The proposed amendment to 603 CMR 30.03 would require students, beginning in the class of 2010, to pass a high school level MCAS test in biology, chemistry, introductory physics, or technology/engineering as a condition of graduation. After the public comment period, the Commissioner will bring the proposed amendment back to the Board for a vote in June.

District Improvement Plan from Winchendon Public Schools

The Board had an initial discussion of the Winchendon Public Schools' Turnaround Plan. The Department has been working with the Winchendon Public Schools since the Board declared the district under-performing in November 2003. Superintendent Peter Azar presented the plan, which contains specific action steps and timelines for accomplishing the improvement objectives established by the district. The Board will vote on the plan at the April 2005 meeting.

Charter Schools

Renewal Recommendations
The Board voted to renew the charters for Cape Cod Lighthouse Charter School (Orleans), Lowell Community Charter School (Lowell), Marblehead Community Charter School (Marblehead), and South Shore Charter Public School (Norwell).

Charter Amendments and Related Requests
The Board voted to amend the charters for Academy of the Pacific Rim Charter Public School (mission, governance/leadership, and curriculum); Marblehead Community Charter Public School (enrollment limit); Marstons Mills East Horace Mann Charter School (enrollment limit); Martin Luther King, Jr. Charter School of Excellence (year of opening); and Prospect Hill Academy Charter School (governance/leadership and curriculum).

The Board discussed the transition plan filed by the Boston Renaissance Charter Public School in response to one of the conditions the Board imposed on renewal of the charter in February. The plan addresses specific steps the school will take to transition from a Pre-K through 12 program (the high school has not yet opened) to a Pre-K through 6 program as of the 2005-06 school year. Chairman Peyser thanked the school for its responsive and thoughtful transition plan.

Request for Administrative Hearings
The Board voted to authorize the Chairman to act on its behalf, in consultation with the General Counsel, to make arrangements for administrative hearings for Roxbury Charter High School (concerning revocation of the school's charter) and Frederick Douglass Charter School (concerning non-renewal of the school's charter). A hearing officer will conduct each hearing and issue a report and recommendation to the Board, which will make the final decision in each case.

Approval of Grants

The Board approved $11,295,996 under seven federal programs (Summer Content Institutes, Project Focus Academy High Schools, Early Childhood Careers, Secondary School Reading, Comprehensive School Reform, and two programs for 21st Century Community Learning) and two state-funded programs (Workplace Education Planning and Bay State Readers).

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Tuesday, April 26, 2005, at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in Malden.