BOARD CURRICULUM COMMITTEE

MEETING MINUTES

MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2006

                                       

Members of the Board Curriculum Committee met on Monday, October 16, 2006, at 6:00 p.m. in the Education Center Dining Room. Present were Curriculum Committee Members Anthony R. Villani, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, and Richard Agretto, director of special education; and Board Members Rosario Amato, Joseph Craig, Judith Dexter, Dr. Craig Haytmanek, William Heske, Charlene Koch, Loretta Leeson, and Diane Rowe. Also in attendance were: Dr. Joseph A. Lewis, superintendent of schools; Robert Gross, assistant superintendent for human resources; Stanley J. Majewski, Jr., assistant to the superintendent for finance and administration; Kathleen Bast, coordinator of literacy 6-12; Mary Katona, coordinator of English language arts; Dr. Joanne LoFaso, coordinator of literacy K-5; Eric Smith, supervisor of science; Julie Victory, supervisor of mathematics; Frank Arbushites, coordinator of academic computing; and representatives of the press.

 

COURTESY OF THE FLOOR TO VISITORS (15 minutes allowed)

 

1.     Mr. Stephen Antalics discussed the topic of taxpayers being confused on the quality of education. The administration informed Mr. Antalics that his questions would be discussed during the topics of tonight’s meeting.

 

ACTION PLANNING FRAMEWORK

 

Dr. Lewis responded to comments stating that he does not agree with the “doom and gloom” of some members of the community. He stated that we have a quality school district but need to do a better job with students in some sub groups.

 

Dr. Lewis and Mr. Villani presented an overview entitled “Action Planning – The Road to AYP.” In an effort to improve the performance of all students in the PSSA and 4Sight State Testing, a framework has been developed:

 

1.     Student Performance Task Force

2.     District-Wide Performance Task Force

3.     Restructuring Our High Schools

a. With added emphasis on Project 720 Initative

4.     Required High School Guidelines

5.     Distinguished Educators Support

a.     This support group from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) was requested by Dr. Lewis and will be located in the district for up to two years. Dr. Lewis noted it will not cost the district any money.

 

 

 

 

6.     Central Administrative Support

a.     In an effort to provide the necessary support and oversight, the eight schools that did not meet Annual Yearly Progress (AYP) will be assigned a cabinet member and a district curriculum team member to assist with their school improvement initiatives throughout the year. These individuals will be responsible for providing support, resources, and assistance to the school task force. The assignments are as follows:

Freedom High School – Mr. Villani

Liberty High School – Dr. Lewis and Mr. Smith

East Hills Middle School – Mr. Gross and Mrs. Victory

Nitschmann Middle School – Mrs. Lutcher and Mrs. Katona

Northeast Middle School – Mr. Agretto and Mrs. Bast

Calypso Elementary School – Mr. Gilliland and Dr. LoFaso

Donegan Elementary School – Mr. Washington and Mrs. Correll

William Penn Elementary School – Mr. Majewski and Mr. Arbushites

7.     Central Curriculum Support

8.     Strategies to be Implemented

9.     Curriculum Adjustments

10.    Scheduling Adjustments

11.    Improved Interventions

12.    Measuring Growth

13.    Quality Review

 

Mr. Villani then reviewed the Annual Planning Template. Each school is asked to look at the performance data for their school and answer the following questions:

 

1.     In what ways has your action plan been implemented?

2.     What were the intended results?

3.     To what extent were the intended results achieved?

4.     What problems were encountered?

5.     What modifications will be made in the 2006-2007 school year?

 

Mr. Villani then reviewed Projections Based on Percentages for Freedom and Liberty High Schools. The administration noted that, on the high school level, 30 percent of the students who graduate did not start in the Bethlehem Area School District and 20 percent of the students at Freedom High School who took the PSSA did not start at Freedom High School in ninth grade.

 

Mrs. Leeson noted that she has been trying to get this information for the past five years and was happy to see we are finally putting together a plan. She also asked if the district can test new students prior to placing them in our system? Mr. Villani stated that we can use the strategy of the Welcome Classroom at the high school level for strategies of placement.

 

Mr. Heske stated that he thought the administration should consider providing incentives for students to do better in testing and gave examples of what other districts are using. He thought incentives would work better than taking away privileges from students who do not do well in these tests. Mr. Villani responded that it is a good point to celebrate good performances. Mr. Craig noted that this was one of the topics discussed at the Pennsylvania School Boards Assocation Conference he attended this past week. Mrs. Rowe noted that her son and some of his friends had been discussing this same topic and had some very good ideas including the fact that there is a bell for athletics and questioned why there wasn’t a bell for academics.

 

Mrs. Koch made note that there are some students in our schools who are just not connected. As an example, she referenced one district who placed the names of their students on a blackboard and teachers were asked to identify any students they knew. At the end, it was noted that there were a couple of students none of the teachers knew. The point of this experiment was that some students are just not connected and teachers collectively should make a point of knowing all students.

 

Mrs. Dexter inquired if students and board members will be part of the Student Performance Task Force, and if not, they should be. She also asked if students who are required to participate in tutoring and do not do so will not be allowed to participate in extra curricular activities. She stated that this could possible increase the drop out rate because some students actually stay in school mainly for these extra curricular activities such as band and athletics. Mr. Villani noted that the district will be using Tutoring in Pennsylvania (TIP) monies to provide extra opportunities for students to obtain tutoring.

 

Mr. Craig stated that there should be specific locations within a school where students who need extra help can go to discuss what was taught in their specific classes for that day.

 

Mrs. Leeson inquired that, if funds are available for tutoring, can we work with Bethlehem Area Vo-tech and make tutoring available at that location and also provide transportation for after school hours. Mr. Villani stated that he has spoken with Mr. Williams, and he is interested in discussing this idea.

 

Mrs. Leeson also asked if tutoring is available for all levels of students? Dr. Lewis and Mr. Villani explained that the state does not cover the cost of all students for tutoring and will only cover students in the Basic or Below Basic categories. They also require eligibility lists of all students who participate in tutoring. The district allocates funds for students who do not qualify for the state-funded tutoring.

 

Mrs. Rowe noted that, because of the time factor, if any board members had additional questions, they should submit them to the administration, and they will be answered at a later time.

 

MATHEMATICS UPDATE

 

Mrs. Victory informed the board that during the spring of 2006, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) issued updated “Assessment Anchors and Eligible Content” for 2007 in mathematics for grades 3 through 8 and 11. Based upon the revised anchors and grade level curricula, groups of teachers at each grade level from first through fifth met in April and May to update the district’s scope and sequence documents. It was believed that the kindergarten document did not require changes at this time but would be updated when the Kindergarten Standards are completed. This was done to help teachers plan the amount of time that needed to be devoted to each section, and to ensure that all necessary lessons have been taught prior to PSSA testing.

 

Mrs. Victory noted that once again the district purchased First In Math licenses for students in grades 3 through 8, Career Prep Math 9, and ninth grade learning support. The user ids are being activated as schools get their computers up and running.

 

In grades 6, 7, and 8, the grade level curriculum guides were also revised. A new curriculum guide, Algebra 1, was written for eighth grade A-track.

 

A new and traditional textbook series, Prentice Hall Mathematics: Course 1, 2, and 3, was purchased during the spring of 2006. Because a newer edition of the series will be available in the summer of 2007, the publisher permitted the district to purchase class sets of the text for each teacher. When the new edition is available, the publisher will replace all books that the district purchased, along with all teacher ancillaries, at no cost to the district. The district will also purchase additional copies so that each student has a textbook.

 

New scope and sequence documents were developed by a group of teachers for all middle level grades. Sections of the Prentice Hall textbook are aligned with the appropriate anchors so that all sections needed for understanding of tested PSSA topics are discussed prior to that testing event. In seventh grade, sections denoted “extension” are required for A-track and are available to other seventh grades for enrichment. Connected Mathematics is used for concept development and is appropriately built into the scope and sequence.

 

Mrs. Victory explained that, as was the case at the elementary level, the final phase of the middle school curriculum realignment consisted of examining the three required portfolio performance assessments at each grade level to make certain that items tested are, in fact, taught per the curriculum. New this year is a requirement to administer a five-minute timed test of basic facts of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

 

With regard to tutoring sessions at the middle schools, Mrs. Victory explained that a remediation program was designed based on the grade level scope and sequence and ancillary materials from the Prentice Hall series. In addition, there have been inservice opportunities to train teachers in direct vocabulary instruction for mathematical words. Mrs. Victory discussed a format she developed to assist students with vocabulary acquisition, and she demonstrated a portable math word wall.

 

Mrs. Leeson stated that a couple of years ago it was the district’s goal to have all ninth grade students in an Algebra 1 level mathematics class. This was never achieved. She inquired as to where we are with this goal and what is the objective of Algebra 1.

 

Mrs. Victory explained that only one class, Math 9, is not an Algebra 1 (ninth grade) level class and that only approximately 10 percent of all ninth graders are not presently in an Algebra 1 class.

 

Mrs. Leeson also asked what happens to students in ninth grade who are below basic?

 

Mrs. Victory responded that, depending upon how they do in Algebra concepts, they can get an additional semester.

 

Mrs Rowe noted that, because of the time factor, if any board members had additional questions, they should submit them to the administration, and they will be answered at a later time.

 

 

 

 

 

FOSS UPDATE

 

Mr. Smith presented an elementary science update. He explained that regarding the FOSS implementation, six kits are currently being used at the elementary level. He noted that teachers were trained on how to use the FOSS kits in August, and that during the school year, high school teachers will be available for assistance with kit content.

 

Mr. Smith explained that a grant was received for “Science, It’s Elementary.” Mr. Smith and teachers from Donegan Elementary School attended a workshop last week. The grant will benefit Donegan and Marvine Elementary Schools. Benefits of “Science, It’s Elementary” include:

 

n     Support in using hands-on and inquiry materials

n     Strategic planning support

n     Accelerated kit adoption

n     Free kit refurbishment and restocking

n     Free intensive professional development

 

Mrs. Koch inquired if the use of kits benefit classes in mathematics and reading. She also inquired if it benefits teachers who are strong in science.

 

Mr. Smith responded yes, it takes really good programs and adjusts them to grade levels.

 

Mr. Smith also thanked everyone involved in this year’s Science Fest. He noted that it was a well planned event enjoyed by everyone who attended. Mrs. Leeson passed around a program from the Science Fest and agreed that it was an excellent program.

 

BUILDING DEDICATION REQUESTS

 

Dr. Lewis explained that he had received three letters requesting the dedication of various building spaces in honor of former and/or present district employes and community members and would like the board to discuss the possibility of setting up a policy for such nominations. The board agreed that a policy should be established. Dr. Lewis agreed to have Mr. Gross research what policies other district have in place and to also contact the district’s solicitor.

 

OPEN FORUM

 

1.     Mrs. Leeson reminded the administration that the board had previously requested a protocol meeting and copies of the protocol policy. The administration agreed to set a date and time after the Board Human Resource Committee Meeting.

 

2.     Mr. Amato referenced a letter the board received regarding a personnel matter. The administration responded that it would be discussed in executive session.

 

3.     Mr. Amato noted that there has been different interpretations on whether the curriculum at the Career Academy is in place. He would like to have this matter cleared up so that members of the community understand the program. Mr. Villani stated that the curriculum is in place, and members of his staff are always available to assist the teachers.

 

4.     Mrs. Dexter inquired about the Tax Study Group. Mr. Majewski stated that this information should be available to board members shortly and it will also be posted on the district’s Web site.

 

5.     Mr. Amato referenced a letter the board received concerning the dress code of students attending sporting events. Dr. Lewis responded that he has recently met with high school principals and student representatives from both high schools to discuss this matter.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

 

Minutes Prepared By:

 

 

 

Charlotte L. Zimmerman

Administrative Assistant to the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction