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

Board in Brief
Monday, May 22, 2006 & Tuesday, May 23, 2006

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 both the special meeting held on Monday evening, May 22, 2006, and the regular meeting held on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 in Falmouth.

Special Meeting

The Board had an in-depth discussion on the topic initially presented at the April Board meeting: proposed changes to the accountability system for under-performing schools. At this special meeting, Associate Commissioner Juliane Dow presented an overview of the school accountability system, lessons learned from implementing the system over the last six years, and intended effects of the proposed modifications. The proposal under consideration would:

• Accelerate the timeline for initiating state action to support improved student performance in schools that are identified for improvement;
• Specify various types of interventions to assist these "Commonwealth Priority Schools," including possible changes in management or governance if local leadership cannot address the educational needs of the students;
• Articulate the essential components and conditions necessary for improved student performance and school success;
• Create partnerships with qualified individuals and organizations to work with the Department and with schools and districts; and
• Establish a state review panel of experts who will serve on behalf of the Board, providing review and advice.

After hearing the presentation and discussing various aspects of the proposal, the Board agreed to continue the discussion at its regular meeting the next day.

Regular Meeting

Comments from the Chairman

Falmouth Superintendent Dennis Richards and principal Douglas White welcomed the Board to Lawrence Middle School. Chairman James A. Peyser opened the meeting by acknowledging and thanking the outgoing student member of the Board, Jonathan Urbach, for his year of service. Jonathan, who is graduating from Falmouth High School, has served with distinction as the elected chair of the state Student Advisory Council and as a member of the Board of Education for the past year. The Chairman thanked him for his commendable service to the students of the Commonwealth, and presented Jonathan with a citation describing his many contributions during his tenure on the Board. Jonathan's last meeting as the student Board member will be in June.

Chairman Peyser announced he is appointing a committee of the Board, consisting of members Harneen Chernow, Henry Thomas, and himself, to conduct the Commissioner's annual performance evaluation and report back to the Board at the June meeting.

Comments from the Commissioner

Commissioner David P. Driscoll updated the Board on the progress of the FY 07 state budget. Commissioner Driscoll also commended Brockton High School for being one of six schools in the U.S. to receive the seventh annual National School Change Award. The award, which is presented to schools that have changed significantly for the better, is co-sponsored by the American Association of School Administrators, the Fordham University Graduate School of Education, and Pearson Education.

Competency Determination for High School Graduation: Reviewing the Standard

At the Board's April meeting, Chairman Peyser summarized the work of the Board committee that has been reviewing options and issues associated with raising the competency determination standard above the current 220 passing score in both English language arts and mathematics on the grade 10 MCAS exam. This month, the Board continued the discussion, noting that the goal is to move more students to proficiency and increase the proportion of Massachusetts high school graduates who are prepared for college, careers, and citizenship. The Board discussed the committee's recommendation to amend the current competency determination standard and require that students either achieve proficiency (at least 240) in the required content areas or achieve the minimum passing standard (220) in those areas and complete coursework in grades 11 and 12 that moves them toward proficiency and college and career readiness in the required areas. The committee also recommended revising the criteria for the certificate of mastery to focus on identifying and rewarding students who are college and career ready. Chairman Peyser made a statement which can be viewed on the Department's website here: http://www.doe.mass.edu/boe/chairman/06_0523.html. After discussing the recommendations, the Board agreed to consider proposed amendments to its regulations on the competency determination and the certificate of mastery at the June meeting.

School and District Accountability: Proposed Changes to the Accountability System for Under-Performing Schools

• Recapping the discussion from the special meeting held on Monday evening, the Board further considered the proposed modifications to the accountability system for under-performing schools, as presented by Associate Commissioner Juliane Dow. Chairman Peyser stated that the changes would: simplify and shorten the process; clarify expectations about the kinds of improvement actions that schools and districts must take; and establish different levels and types of intervention, as needed. The Chairman added that the state has responsibility for these matters under the Massachusetts constitution and the education reform law as well as the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

The Board will consider specific amendments to its regulations on under-performing schools at the June meeting.

Student Records Regulations (603 CMR 23.00): Proposed Technical Amendments on Access to Records by Non-Custodial Parents

The Board voted to solicit public comment on proposed technical amendments to the Student Records Regulations (603 CMR 23.07(5)) concerning access to student records by non-custodial parents. The proposed amendments would make the regulations consistent with statutory changes enacted in April (Chapter 62 of the Acts of 2006), which expanded the categories of non-custodial parents who are eligible to obtain access to their children's student records. The regulations will be brought back to the Board in the summer for final action.

Approval of Grants

The Board approved grants totaling $577,796 under the following federal programs: Mathematics Content Training ($111,318), Partnership for Technology Professional Development ($250,000), increases for grants under Even Start Family Literacy ($91,478), and Perkins Occupational Safety and Health ($125,000).

Next Meeting

The next regular meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in Malden.