Board in Brief
Tuesday, December 19, 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 the regular meeting held on Tuesday, December 19, 2006 at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in Malden.
Comments from the Chairman
Chairman Christopher R. Anderson opened the meeting by welcoming Board member Sandra Stotsky, who was recently appointed to the Board. Chairman Anderson also welcomed Clantha McCurdy, designee of Chancellor Patricia Plummer.
The Chairman provided an overview of the search process the Board will use for the selection of a new Commissioner. Commissioner David Driscoll announced in October that he plans to retire at the end of August 2007. Chairman Anderson said he anticipates a transparent process and hopes the Board will select a new Commissioner by June 2007. He plans to present more details about the search process at the January meeting of the Board, which will be held at the Microsoft Corporation in Waltham. Chairman Anderson also announced the March Board meeting will be held at the Mason School in Roxbury.
Comments from the Commissioner
Commissioner Driscoll distributed copies of The Report of the New Commission on the Skills of the American Workforce to the Board. He discussed serving on the commission and encouraged the Board to consider the report and its recommendations at a future meeting. As part of a grant from the National Governors Association to increase college readiness, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and Board of Higher Education have commissioned transit advertisements and a short video designed to encourage students to go to college. The Commissioner displayed the ads for the Board.
Expanded Learning Time
The Board discussed the state-funded Expanded Learning Time initiative that is now in its first year of implementation. Throughout the country there have been varied attempts to extend learning time by adding after-school programs or otherwise. The Massachusetts initiative requires two important commitments: first, that the additional time must be significant (at least a 25-30% increase in time) and must benefit 100% of the students, and second, that the state must provide enough funding to assure that the changes will be made and that they are systemic. The initial allocation of $1300 per pupil is substantial enough to allow for strong programming options.
Chairman Anderson introduced a panel, led by Chris Gabrieli of Mass 2020, who was instrumental in establishing the ELT initiative. He was joined by Nancy Mullen, principal of the Kuss School in Fall River, Colleen Lewis, a literacy coach from the King School in Cambridge, and Joan Connolly, Superintendent of the Malden Public Schools. Chris Gabrieli provided an overview of the ELT program, and then the school and district representatives described the positive impact that the extra time has had on teaching and learning in their schools. Board members commended the participants and expressed support for evaluating and expanding the initiative.
Board of Education Budget Proposal for FY 2008
The Board voted to adopt its FY08 budget proposal. The proposed budget, which was initially reviewed at the November meeting, includes funding for a number of new initiatives as well as increases to current programs based on inflation and funding formulas. The Commissioner will transmit the budget proposal to the Administration and the Legislature.
School and District Accountability System: Recommendations on Four Schools Considered for Chronic Underperformance
At the November meeting, the Board considered a Commonwealth Pilot School alternative for four schools, in lieu of a declaration of chronic underperformance. This recommendation has spurred great interest in the districts under consideration (Boston, Fitchburg and Springfield) as well as across the state and beyond.
The Commonwealth Pilot School model draws on the successful experience of existing pilot schools, but with some significant additions. The Board's intent for the Commonwealth Pilot Schools is to promote greater school autonomy while also complying with the stricter accountability expectations that would accompany a declaration of chronic underperformance.
Representatives from the three districts addressed the Board at its meeting this month. The superintendents from each of the three districts, along with their respective school principals and union leaders, each expressed interest in pursuing the option of converting the schools in question into Commonwealth Pilot Schools.
In light of the expressed interest in pursuing the Commonwealth Pilot School option, the Board deferred action on the pending motion to declare the schools chronically underperforming until at least February 2007. At the February meeting, the Board will consider the districts' proposals to convert the four schools into Commonwealth Pilot Schools.
Graduation Rate as an Element of Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) Calculation under No Child Left Behind Act
The federal No Child Left Behind Act requires states to report graduation rates for each high school, based on the percentage of students, measured from the beginning of high school, who graduate from high school with a regular diploma in the standard number of years. The Commissioner handed out a brief overview and told the Board that in January he will present a proposal on how graduation rates will factor into calculation of Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP).
Mathematics Improvement Initiatives: Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) Mathematics Subtest
As part of the strategy to improve mathematics teaching and learning at the elementary level, the Board voted to revise the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) to include a mathematics subtest on the General Curriculum exam for elementary and special education teachers. The Department will now proceed with outreach, technical assistance and test development. The new General Curriculum test will become operational in July 2008.
Mathematics Improvement Initiatives: Proposed Amendments to Educator Licensure and Preparation Regulations, 603 CMR 7.00 (Mathematics Standards for Generalist Teachers)
The Board deferred this item and intends to address it at the January meeting.
Amendments to Regional School District Regulations (603 CMR 41.00)
The Board deferred this item and intends to address it at the January meeting.
Charter Schools: Renewal for Uphams Corner Charter School
The Board had an initial discussion of the renewal of the charter for the Uphams Corner Charter School. Commissioner Driscoll recommended non-renewal of the charter based on the school's performance record. Chairman Anderson requested that the Commissioner bring back for the Board's consideration a list of conditions that the school would have to meet if the charter were to be renewed. The Board will vote on this charter renewal at the January meeting.
Charter Schools: Extended Loan Term for Global Learning Charter School
The Board deferred this item.
Approval of Grants
The Board approved grants totaling $2,455,424 under the following programs: Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment Programs for Students with Disabilities ($1,136,657 - state funds); Gifted and Talented Services/School Year ($583,282 - state funds); Gifted and Talented Services/Summer ($157,985 - state funds); Academic Support/School Year ($99,500 - state funds); Academic Support/Summer ($398,000 - state funds); School Health Leadership Institute ($40,000 - federal funds); and Local Wellness Grant ($40,000 - federal funds).
Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 at Microsoft Corporation in Waltham.
last updated: December 22, 2006
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