District/School Administration Administration
Board in Brief

Friday, April 19, 1996

This is Board in Brief, issued at the request of Commissioner Bob Antonucci, to bring you up to date on Board of Education developments of interest. The following is a report on the meeting held Wednesday, April 17, at the Massachusetts Archives in Boston.

Report of the Commissioner

Commissioner Antonucci reviewed with the Board the next steps in the process of completing work on the two remaining curriculum frameworks, English and history/social studies. He stated that the process is at a critical point, and he suggested that the review and revision of the frameworks be conducted in a manner similar to past practice, but would include a study committee for each content area to be comprised of six members from the original committee and six others recommended by Board members. The goal is to produce curriculum frameworks of high quality, and to complete them in time for districts to receive them by September.

Commissioner Antonucci reported on recent meetings he attended as a member of the newly-created National Advisory Council on School-to-Work Opportunities. He noted that the national school-to-work initiative is a new one, and that business, labor, education and public policy leaders need more complete information in order to strengthen the school-to-career initiative. He will keep the Board informed of the Council's future activities.

Commenting on snow days, the Commissioner noted that most districts have made adjustments in their school calendars to make up for the lost days due inclement weather. He informed Board members that a very few districts might submit requests for one-day waivers of the 180-day minimum because of extraordinary circumstances this winter.

Finally, the Commissioner recognized former Board members Paul Reville and Rev. Michael Walker for their service to the Board and to the students of the Commonwealth. Citations for their service were read into the Board record.

Report of the Chairman

Chairman of the Board Dr. John Silber welcomed to the Board its newest member, James Peyser of Dorchester, who is the Executive Director of the Pioneer Institute for Public Policy and Research. In 1995 Mr. Peyser served as Undersecretary of Education and Special Assistant to the Governor for charter schools.

Chairman Silber noted several important issues needing the Board's review and action: budgetary issues involving special education, transportation and bilingual education, which are among the most frequently reported concerns of superintendents; the need to set clear goals for achievement in the curriculum frameworks along with relevant student assessment criteria; teacher certification, recertification and quality professional development; and regulatory relief.

Chairman Silber announced a vacancy on the Executive Committee left by Paul Reville, and invited Board members to submit their nominations for a new member by May 1. The new member will be named by Commissioner Antonucci, Vice-Chair Maddie Marquez, and Chairman Silber.

Review of FY `97 state Budget for Education

Board members reviewed the House of Representatives education budget, and they discussed several items in preparation for testimony by the Commissioner at a hearing before the Senate Ways & Means Committee on April 19. Chairman Silber urged opposition to the House budget's inclusion of an Office of Education Policy & Assessment. He stated that this provision contains language which is incoherent, and he maintained that the elimination of the Executive Office of Education should not be replaced by a new bureaucracy, which would be wasteful of time, money and energy.

On the issue of assessment, Board member Dr. Edwin Delattre emphasized that the Senate should be informed that the current funding for assessment would provide for statewide testing at only three grade levels. He said that this is inadequate, and he emphasized the need for a coordinated effort between the state and local districts to test students in reading and math at all grade levels.

On foundation aid, a preliminary analysis of the House budget shows that the $75 per pupil minimum aid and $25 per pupil funding for professional development appear to have been kept. Chairman Silber stated that some of the professional development programs "are of dubious quality," and he wants the Board to consider certifying or licensing providers instead of simply registering them, as is the case now. In response, Abigail Thernstrom noted that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education does not have the capacity to do this and she expressed concern with "a new layer of state bureaucracy." In addition, Board member James Peyser noted that some of the best professional development occurs at no cost during teacher meetings. "School districts need teachers with better teaching skills, not just $25 per student," he added.

Malden Voluntary School desegregation Plan

Noting the longevity of the racial balance law, the need to open questions about its educational effectiveness, its expense and its relevance today, the Commissioner and several Board members called for a thorough examination of the issue, and the Board agreed to begin a discussion of the racial balance law at the May 15th Board meeting.

Board Initiatives and Priorities

Commissioner Antonucci recommended that six sets remain in place: student records, student learning time, school construction, evaluation of teachers and Administrators Area, school choice transportation reimbursement, and anti-hazing regulations. He recommended that the Board repeal five other sets because they are no longer needed: physical education, certification of supervisors of attendance, tractor-trailer schools, nutritional education and food service, and fiscal accountability for grant programs. Seventeen remaining sets will be reviewed and amended and or re-issued.

Other Business

The next regular Board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 15, 1996, at 9:00 a.m., at the Milton Bradley School in Springfield, Massachusetts.

This is a publication of the Office of the Commissioner