BETHLEHEM AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD CURRICULUM COMMITTEE

MEETING MINUTES

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2004

 

 

 

Members of the Board Curriculum Committee met on Monday, September 20, 2004, at 6:00 p.m. in the Dining Room of the Education Center. Present were Board Members Rosario Amato, Joseph Craig, Dr. Craig Haytmanek, William Heske, Charlene Koch, Loretta Leeson, Diane Rowe, Julie Venanzi, and Margaret Williams. Also in attendance were Dr. Joseph Lewis, superintendent of schools, Michele Kostem, associate superintendent, Richard Agretto, director of special education, and representatives of the press.

 

OPEN FORUM

Nothing to report

 

DRA TEST RESULTS

Mr. Villani introduced Mrs. Mia Fernandes, coordinator of literacy, who reported the 2004 spring Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA) results. Mrs. Fernandes explained that the DRA is administered to all students in grades one and two, and selected students in grade three. On average, 83.8% of Bethlehem Area School District students read on or above grade level standards according to DRA results.

 

It was recommended by the board of school directors that all students in grade three be assessed on a yearly basis. It was noted by the administration that all third grade students are currently given the PSSA test in the spring.

 

Because students in all demographic groups were assessed, 15%-17% of the students did not meet DRA grade level standards. The administration will research pertinent information regarding circumstances that may contribute to these students reading below standards.

 

DISTRICT PSSA REPORT CARD

Mr. Villani distributed and reviewed the new Bethlehem Area School District 2004 Report Card. He explained that, in January 2002, the U.S. Congress passed a new federal education law called, No Child Left Behind (NCLB). NCLB requires the state, school districts, and individual schools to meet specific achievement targets in math and reading. The achievement targets for Pennsylvania this year are 45 percent of the students proficient in reading and 35 percent of the students proficient in mathematics. All students must meet these targets, including the following populations: major ethnic groups, special education students, limited English proficient students, and low-income students. In addition, at least 95% of the students enrolled in schools must participate in the state assessments (PSSA), and schools must show improvement in attendance rates (for elementary/ middle schools) and graduation rates (for high schools). Collectively these targets are known as Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). This legislation also mandates that school districts create a report card which indicates adequate yearly progress for each school within the district. The district report card serves that purpose.

 

 

 

 

DISTRICT-WIDE SUMMER PROGRAMMING OVERVIEW – 2004

Mr. Villani provided an update to the board of school directors on the breadth and depth of summer programming which took place during the summer of 2004 throughout the district. Over 2,189 district students were served by the various program offerings. Both district intervention funds as well as Tutoring in Pennsylvania grant funding were used to pay for the programs. It is the hope of the administration that this programming will help our students in their academic pursuits in achieving academic standards during the 2004-2005 school year.

 

OTHER

 

Mr. Villani discussed an agenda item that will be brought to the September 27, 2004, Regular School Board Meeting regarding the purchase of concert dress for the Liberty High School vocal/instrumental organizations. The agreement states that the organizations are not currently able to fully fund this purchase, but are able to raise the additional necessary funds within a reasonable period of time following the purchase. It was noted that a similar agreement was approved for the Freedom High School vocal/instrumental organizations in October 2002, and the full amount has been repaid.

 

 

The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m.

 

Minutes Prepared By:

 

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Charlotte L. Zimmerman

Administrative Assistant to the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction