District/School Administration Administration
BOARD IN BRIEF

Wednesday, November 24, 1999

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 a special meeting held in Worcester on Monday, November 22, and the regular monthly meeting held on Tuesday, November 23, 1999, at the Bryn Mawr School in Auburn.

At the November 22 special meeting in Worcester, the Board discussed the proposed recommendation on the MCAS Grade 10 passing standard for the class of 2003, as well as a proposal for a new system of educator preparation, certification and evaluation. No votes were taken at the special meeting, and both items were discussed further at the November 23 regular meeting.

Competency Determination: MCAS Grade 10 Passing Standard for the Class of 2003

After extensive discussion at the special and regular meetings, the Board voted 8-1 to send out for public comment the standard for the Competency Determination for students in the high school graduating class of 2003, as recommended jointly by Commissioner Driscoll and Board of Education Chairman James A. Peyser. The standard calls for students in the graduating class of 2003 to meet or exceed the Needs Improvement threshold scaled score of 220 on both the English Language Arts and the Mathematics MCAS grade 10 tests in order to satisfy the requirements of the Competency Determination. Further, the Board voted unanimously to reaffirm its intent to raise the threshold scaled score required for the Competency Determination in future years.

Chairman Peyser said the 220 threshold is a reasonable starting point. "Given the performance to date of 8th graders and 10th graders, it is clear that Needs Improvement is, unfortunately, a challenging standard for a large percentage of students - especially in math. Setting the initial standard at Proficient would likely result in de-motivating too many students and schools, and would at the same time undermine the widespread public and political support necessary to maintain the forward progress of education reform. Proficiency is our objective, but we cannot reach it in a single step. In essence, we must strike a balance between lighting a fire under the system to accelerate improvement and throwing a bomb that will leave the system in chaos. This initial standard is challenging but achievable."

As to whether the 220 threshold represents a lowering of standards, Chairman Peyser said, "The answer to that is a clear and unambiguous no. We are establishing a standard where none exists." Commissioner Driscoll added that setting the initial standard at 220 is an issue of fairness, and that the threshold will be increased over time. "It is important to note that this is a starting point - different from our goal. Its fair and it's the right thing to do," he said.

The Commissioner continued, "The standards-based approach defines what we want students to know and be able to do. Not only do we set the standards, but in fact we release the test each year. Examples of student work at each level are posted on our web site. The learning standards are public, students can study for them, and schools and teachers can and should prepare students to meet them." Commissioner Driscoll added that students who scored in the Needs Improvement category, by and large, scored in the 50th percentile or above on nationally normed tests. In contrast, students who scored in the Failing category displayed work that was clearly inadequate. "On that basis, I rest my case, when I say that 220 is a fair, reasonable, and meaningful first step as we raise standards for all students in Massachusetts.

Board members Bill Irwin and Roberta Schaefer spoke in support of the recommendation, noting that the Board is establishing a high school graduation standard for the first time. Member Abigail Thernstrom said, "The point of education reform is to end up with students better educated than they are now. We are not today where we want to be, and getting there is going to take time." Board member Stanley Koplik, Chancellor of Higher Education, commented that his review of student work on the MCAS convinced him that students who score at 220 or above have the basics in English Language Arts and Mathematics, even though they need improvement. Student Board member Marcel LaFlamme said the State Student Advisory Council supports the standard.

Board member Edwin Delattre voted against the 220 standard, but voted in favor of the motion to raise the threshold scaled score in future years. "I think the proposed standard is too low. I think it threatens the integrity of education reform and it delays the delivery of educational opportunities, he said.

Board member Charles Baker commented that any organization seeking to change and improve must set standards that are viewed as achievable and fair, in order to build consensus. He said, "We are asking students, teachers and parents to stretch. With a fair standard, people will work toward it because they believe they can achieve the goal. I don't believe anybody can argue this standard isn't fair or that it shouldn't be achievable. Because of that, I think it's the right place to start." The Board then voted 8-1 to send out for public comment the standard recommended by the Commissioner and the Chairman, and voted unanimously to affirm its intent to raise the required threshold scaled score over time.

The Board also discussed issues related to the passing standard, such as: a schedule for re-testing students who do not meet the Competency Determination standard, and continuing educational opportunities for them; development of an appeals process; local awarding of certificates to students who complete local requirements but do not meet the Competency Determination standard; and possible criteria for the Certificate of Mastery. These issues will be explored further during the public comment period and at future Board meetings. The Board is expected to vote on final adoption of the Competency Determination standard at its January 2000 meeting.

Educator Quality: Outline of Proposed New System of Educator Preparation, Certification and Evaluation

The Board received a concept paper outlining a proposed new system of educator preparation, certification, and evaluation. Deputy Commissioner Sandra Stotsky presented an overview of the proposal. It is designed to streamline the current regulations on certification and evaluation, create multiple routes to licensure of educators, strengthen subject matter knowledge for each license, strengthen requirements for reading instruction, and remove unnecessary barriers to entry into public school teaching and administration. Commissioner Driscoll and Chairman Peyser said the concept paper is a very good beginning to a process that will enhance the quality of public school educators in Massachusetts. The concept paper will be disseminated for public comment through January 2000. Based on the concept paper and the public comment, the Department will prepare new regulations on certification and evaluation, for initial review by the Board in February or March.

Comments from the Chairman

Chairman Peyser thanked Patricia E. Martin, Superintendent of the Auburn Public Schools, and Gerald A. Poulin, Principal of the Bryn Mawr School, for hosting the Board of Education meeting. The Chairman reported that the Massachusetts Senate voted 21-17 to adopt a bill to increase the number of charter schools, and the legislation is pending in the House. Chairman Peyser appointed a task force to review the Commissioner's performance and salary. The members of the task force are William Irwin, Roberta Schaefer, and Chairman Peyser. The Chairman also commented on legislation adopted as outside sections to the FY 2000 budget; on the work of the Joint Commission on Educator Preparation; and on a report that Board members received from the Education Commission of the States entitled, Governing America's Schools: Changing the Rules.

Comments from the Commissioner

Commissioner Driscoll announced several upcoming events. On Tuesday, November 30 the Department is sponsoring a conference for school administrators and teachers, "Mathematics, Science & Technology Success for All: Strategies for Student Achievement in Middle and High Schools." It will be held at the Beechwood Inn in Worcester. A conference on Character Education will be held on Wednesday, December 1, hosted by the Department and the Governor's Office. The conference, "Cultivating Character and Civility through the Curriculum Frameworks," will take place at the Worcester Centrum Conference Center.

The Commissioner noted that the amended recertification regulations adopted by the Board last month will take effect on December 1. The Department will publish guidelines to assist educators in understanding how the regulations will apply in specific situations.

The Board of Education will sponsor a forum on Chapter 70 on Tuesday, December 7 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in Malden. "This is very important as we look ahead to FY 2001, which will be the first year after the seven-year formula that was included in the Education Reform Act," Commissioner Driscoll said.

State Budget for Education

The Commissioner reported on the final FY 2000 budget that was recently signed into law. Commissioner Driscoll said, "There were significant increases for public education across the board." Chapter 70 aid to cities, towns, and regional school districts increased by $245 million. The budget also increases funding for early childhood education and kindergarten development, after-school programs, regional school transportation, alternative education, and the Attracting Excellence to Teaching program. "Public education has really benefited under the FY 2000 budget," the Commissioner said.

Board member Charles Baker, on behalf of the Board's finance committee, presented a proposal for the FY 2001 education budget. The proposal represents a $170 million increase over the FY 2000 appropriation. Most of the increase is in Chapter 70, School Building Assistance, and other non-discretionary spending, with discretionary accounts level funded. Commissioner Driscoll said he and Chairman Peyser are committed to a budget request that is both adequate and fiscally responsible. Increases for new initiatives such as research and evaluation, teacher mentoring and leadership training, alternative education and assessment are balanced with corresponding decreases in other accounts. Board members unanimously voted to approve the proposed FY 2001 budget, which will now be submitted to the Administration and the Legislature.

Update on Science and Technology/Engineering Framework

The Board discussed several recommendations related to the revised Science and Technology/Engineering Framework, which has been out for public comment and will be presented to the Board for adoption early in 2000. The public comments have included, among other issues, recommendations to restore earth science to the high school curriculum, and to allow end-of-course assessments as an option for statewide high school science assessment. The Board will continue its consideration of these issues at the December meeting.

Charter School Renewals: Lawrence Family Development Charter School and Lowell Middlesex Academy Charter School

The Board voted to renew the charters of the Lawrence Family Development Charter School and Lowell Middlesex Academy Charter School, with two conditions specified for renewal of the Lowell Middlesex Academy charter.

Approval of Grants
(Including School Building Assistance Priority List)

The Board approved $9,441,030 in grants for: PALMS Research and Demonstration; PALMS Phase II; Goals 2000: Preservice/District-Based Teacher Certification; Goals 2000: Teacher Career Advancement (T-CAP); Refugee Children School Impact; Adult Basic Education Post-Secondary Transition; Essential Skills: Extended Opportunities for Success; Essential Skills: Successful School Restructuring; After-School and Other Out-of-School-Time Programs; and Individual Tutoring in Reading. The Board also approved School Building Assistance grants and the updated School Building Assistance priority list.

Commissioner Driscoll highlighted the $125,666 awarded for 10 planning grants under the Teacher Career Advancement Program (T-CAP). This program enables schools to develop innovative professional career ladders for teachers as an incentive for them to remain in teaching while taking on expanded roles in mentoring, administration, and partnerships with business and industry.

Other Matters

Chairman Peyser and Commissioner Driscoll recommended that the Board consider revising the criteria for the Certificate of Mastery that the Board adopted in 1997. The Board will continue its discussion of this issue next month. The Board also voted to appoint individuals who will serve for 3-year terms on 13 Advisory Councils that are established by statute to advise the Board on various areas of educational policy.

Next Meeting

The next regular Board meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 21, at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in Malden.