BOARD CURRICULUM COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2006
Members of the Board Curriculum Committee met on Monday, November 13, 2006, at 6:30 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, Judith Dexter, Dr. Craig Haytmanek, William Heske, Charlene Koch, Loretta Leeson, Diane Rowe, and Margaret Williams. Also in attendance were: Dr. Joseph A. Lewis, superintendent of schools; Robert Gross, assistant superintendent for human resources; Robin Lutcher, director of information technologies; Kathleen Bast, coordinator of literacy 6-12; 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.
Dr. Lewis called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m., due to the fact that Mr. Villani was returning from a symposium out of town and was not present at the beginning of the meeting.
COURTESY OF THE FLOOR TO VISITORS (15 minutes allowed)
Nothing to report.
TEACHER PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL UPDATE
Mr. Gross indicated the committee has been working for about 16 months and has focused its efforts on greater teaching accountability and professional growth.
Mr. Gross presented an update on the Teacher Performance Appraisal Plan revision progress. He explained that the proposed revisions include:
n Domains by which measurement of teacher effectiveness have been further defined and revised.
n Specific and measurable teacher performance traits have been placed on a continuum of effectiveness to determine performance quality.
n Types of classroom observations have been defined to include differentiated appraisal methods.
Mr.
Gross explained that for nontenured teachers, new Bethlehem Area School
District teachers, and for teachers functioning on an improvement plan, the
following is the minimal protocol:
n At least one formal observation shall occur prior to the midpoint of the school year.
n At least one drop-in observation during semester two.
n At least one conference involving Domain 1 (planning and preparation) and Domain 4 (professional responsibilities).
n A summative evaluation rating (two for nontenured personnel).
The requirements for tenured personnel and those electing to participate in the self-directed performance plan include:
n At least one drop-in observation per semester if not electing to participate in the self-directed performance plan, or
n Completion of the self-directed performance process.
n A summative evaluation.
Mr. Gross noted that the following targeted tasks need to be completed:
n Develop a glossary of teacher performance appraisal plan terminology.
n Generate refinements to summative rating tool.
n Design training for teachers and administrators to generate strong inter-rater reliability.
n Presentation of the Teachers Performance Appraisal Plan to the Board of School Directors is tentatively scheduled for the Regular School Board Meeting in April 2007.
Mr. Gross noted that the Bethlehem Education Association has been involved throughout the process of this proposal and welcomes it.
Mrs. Koch stated that she was glad to hear this presentation and noted that she has been asking for this for years.
Mrs. William asked if there is a formal way to preempt the amount of time between observations/evaluations? Mr. Gross replied that the district needs to build in time intervals for the observation and rating cycle to allow for a reasonable time period between observations and ratings.
Mrs. Leeson noted that the satisfactory category has three different levels and inquired if they are going to be delineated or lumped together. She also inquired if the district is going to include in the dialogue how teachers can improve to the next level. Mr. Gross responded that teachers will be given information on how they can improve through the pre- and post-conference process and through the conferencing regarding Domains 1 and 4. One of the features of this revised plan is to increase communication between the supervisor and teacher regarding instruction.
Mrs. Leeson noted that an example of Domain 2 was provided in the handout, and she would like a copy of Domain 1 and Domain 3. Mr. Gross stated that he would provide copies to the board in the Friday board packets.
Mr. Heske also agreed that it was an excellent plan, and he would like to have an annual report on how the district is doing and if it is on target. Mr. Gross replied that he plans to develop an inter-rater reliability and frequency chart to measure both the frequency of teacher observations and the accuracy of the measurement tool as used by the supervisors and administrators.
Mrs. Dexter inquired if there was a place in the evaluation process to incorporate feedback from parents and community members? Mr. Gross responded that he is not in favor of this as we are interested in developing the plan to examine teacher effectiveness through the art and science of teaching and creating a system that is as objective as possible. We are not interested in opinions and perception of individuals.
PROJECT SKILL 21 REPORT
Mrs. Lutcher and Mr. Arbushites introduced Adam Carpenter, a teacher at East Hills Middle School. Mr. Carpenter explained that his students worked on a PBIS project and produced a public service announcement. Mr. Carpenter introduced Kaylee Birdsong and Michael Vitoroulis, two of the four students who worked on the project. He then showed the finished presentation entitled, ÒStudents Gone MissingÓ to the board.
Mr. Arbushites then introduced Mr. Peters and Ms. Norton, teachers at East Hills Middle School. Mr. Peters then introduced Allison and Ashley Trujillo, students at East Hills Middle School, who explained their presentation on ravens which they completed using Keynote. The sisters noted that if they did not have laptops to use for projects, it would have taken them much longer to complete their assignment. Mrs. Lutcher emphasized that students are very excited about learning with computers.
Mrs. Lutcher and Mr. Arbushites then presented a Project SKILL 21 update with evaluation results from the 2005-2006 school year. Mrs. Lutcher noted that the evaluation was only on the middle school level since laptops were not in the high schools at that time. Mrs. Lutcher then presented an update for the 2006-2007 school year. She noted that the rollout and distribution of the middle school laptops was delayed due to the battery recall announced by Apple Incorporated. Apple Incorporated supplied personnel and batteries in late September to correct the battery problems. Rollout for the middle schools commenced as soon as the batteries were replaced. To date, East Hills, Broughal, and Northeast Middle Schools have distributed laptops to all students. Nitschmann Middle School students will receive their laptops by November 17, 2006. All middle school students attending the Career Academy received their computers in early October and their high school students received theirs in September. Two carts of 30 computers were made available for the high school students served by the Career Academy. Freedom High School distributed laptops to their freshman in mid-October and Liberty High School began distribution to their Freshman Campus in early November.
Mrs. Lutcher noted that Lehigh University is again partnering with the district to evaluate the Project SKILL 21 program. Lehigh University will focus its evaluation on the implementation occurring with the ninth grade mathematics and language arts classes. Data will be collected through the use of teacher, student, and administrator surveys conducted at the beginning, midpoint, and end of the school year. Classroom observations and end-of-year focus group sessions with teachers and students will also be used.
Mrs. Dexter stated that she would like to see the questions used in Mrs. LutcherÕs survey, and she would like to also know how the participants were chosen. She also requested a hard copy of Mrs. LutcherÕs slide presentation.
Mrs. Lutcher noted that the district will be submitting an application for the EETT Grant. She noted that this yearÕs sole purpose of the grant will be for ÒAchievement of 21st Century Skills.Ó
Dr. Haytmanek requested that the administration try to figure out a solution so students would be allowed to take their laptops home.
Mrs. Koch stated that that would be a wonderful idea but was afraid that students would be targets for anyone trying to steal computers.
Mrs. Dexter stated that safety and security are factors to be considered. She stated that it would be better to work on how to make computers available to students within their neighborhoods.
Dr. Lewis agreed with Mrs. Dexter.
Mrs. Leeson stated that she also agrees with Mrs. Dexter and Dr. Lewis. She would like to see various schools open their libraries after school for students to use computers. She would also like to see transportation provided for students who take advantage of using these facilities.
Mrs. Williams stated that if students had memory sticks, they could access computers at Boys and Girls Clubs, public libraries, etc. She also noted that teachers are using more software. She stated that more support staff will be needed in the upcoming years.
Mrs. Leeson noted that last year the district focused on technology support. She stated that the district needs to focus on more support for teachers to truly impact classrooms.
Dr. Lewis stated that the administration will look at opening libraries and more support staff during budget meetings.
REGIONAL ACADEMIC STANDARDS ACADEMY (RASA) EVALUATION
Ms. Moran, principal, presented an update on the Regional Academic Standards Academy. She noted the following areas of change:
n Transition to new location (program moved from the Rosemont building to St. CyrilÕs School, 551 Thomas Street, Bethlehem, PA)
n Addition of grades four and six (age appropriate classes)
n Curriculum (reviewed often)
n Team Restructuring (to utilize staff with two additional grades)
n Addition of Pathways Academy
Ms. Moran noted that the next Demo Day would be held Wednesday, May 9, 2007. Mrs. Leeson suggested that at the next Demo Day they use principals and rotate to show what the academy is doing for students.
Ms. Moran reviewed the following To-Do List:
n Tracking alumni in middle and high schools
n Reestablishing summer programs
n Developing partnerships
n Promoting the program
n Mainstreaming
Mrs. Moran then reviewed the Pathways Academy:
n 12:1 student/teacher ratio
n Same gender
n Individual approach
n Additional support
n Community partnership
She invited the board to visit the new location and also noted the schoolÕs Web site at www-ro.beth.k12.pa.us.
Mrs. Koch inquired if Ms. Moran had approached Northampton Community College since they opened their south side campus. Ms. Moran responded that she had not, but it would be a good idea to do so.
Dr. Haytmanek inquired as to where the students went for gym classes. Ms. Moran responded that in good weather they use the area between the church and the school. If the weather is inclement, they use the cafeteria.
Mrs. Leeson inquired if the district has looked at the statistics of our eighth grade students regarding low reading levels. Dr. Lewis noted that Mr. Santoro has reviewed these statistics. Mr. Santoro replied that there is a sizeable amount in all grade levels that are below levels and struggling. Mr. Villani also noted that Read 180 and Lexile scores also give a handle on ability levels. He noted that every student at Broughal Middle School has a Lexile score through KidBiz.
Mrs. Leeson asked if we are setting a child up for failure if he/she is not able to read and do math at their appropriate level. She asked what the district can do for these students.
Mr. Amato asked how students in our district got to eighth grade with very low reading and comprehension levels? Dr. Lewis replied that not all students in eighth grade started in our district. Mr. Amato replied that not all students in eighth grade are transient students, some are in our district from the beginning. Mr. Santoro replied that people would be shocked to see the number of transients in one school year in our schools. Mr. Amato stated that the district needs more support in reading assistance. He stated that the district should be teaching our students how to read and comprehend before they are allowed to be placed in appropriate grade levels.
Mrs. Leeson noted that many students are not special education students but are slow learners who need more time to get to the same grade level. She asked if the district does any entrance testing of students who come into our district before those students are assigned a program level. Mr. Santoro replied that the districtÕs Welcome Classroom is used to test students for placement.
Mr. Amato noted that Dr. Lewis had stated that if we do not get students to comprehend by the third grade we have lost them. He suggested that the district start a transient school and concentrate on bringing these students up to standards.
PSSA UPDATE
Mr. Villani noted that he, Dr. Donaher, Mr. Washburn, and other staff member have just returned from a symposium on Project 720 Initiative. The purpose of the symposium was to provide districts with best practices and contacts for high school reform. Educators from across the state were present to share their successes with those schools just beginning the initiative. Also, teams of teachers and special education educators from several schools will be attending an ÒInclusionary PracticesÓ workshop sponsored by the state to look at strategies and best practices with special education students who are included in the regular classroom. He noted that he will be bringing and update to the board in January.
Mr. Villani reviewed the information he sent to the board regarding the status of the districtÕs plan, ÒThe Road to Annual Yearly Progress (AYP).Ó He noted that action planning meetings have occurred with nine of the elementary schools, three of the middle schools, and preliminarily with the two high schools. All building action plans will be completed and reviewed with the superintendentÕs cabinet by the end of November. In addition, Northeast Middle School and Donegan Elementary School, both School Improvement I schools, presented their action plans to the Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 review team as required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The results of the review will be brought to the board for their approval at the November 20, 2006, Regular School Board Meeting.
Mr. Villani noted that the eight schools which have been identified as not meeting AYP have begun to hold meetings with their building-based task forces to review their action plans and determine appropriate strategies and plans for interventions for students. The district-wide task force is scheduled to meet on Friday, December 8, 2006, at 1:00 p.m. at the Education Center.
Mr. Villani also noted that the inservice program on November 22, 2006, will be a building-based day and will allow for all schools to review and discuss the implementation of their action plans. A uniform Power Point presentation entitled, ÒYou Can Make a Difference: Preparing for Success on the PSSAÓ has been prepared by the Curriculum and Instruction Office to share across all of the schools. It outlines the major changes to the upcoming test and the scoring design and resources available from the Department of Education. In addition, the district has been invited to send a group of administrators to a five-day training on the National Institute for School Leadership. The training will occur at three sites across the state in late November and in January. The district will be sending representative teams from both high schools, three middle schools, and one elementary school. It is hoped that the training will be shared with all administrators at the annual administrative workshop in June 2007.
Mr. Villani noted that focused tutoring has begun at most of the districtÕs schools. At the high school level tutoring was begun with identified eleventh grade students in preparation for the test. More than 400 students at the two high schools have been identified and solicited for tutoring throughout the first semester. The identification of students in ninth and tenth grades has also occurred to prepare for tutoring for those grade levels as money will allow. He noted that the recent twelfth grade retest of the PSSA was quite successful. Well over 95 percent of the seniors who were scheduled to take the retest did complete it.
Mr. Villani noted that teams of teachers have been recruited to work on curricular alignment and revision as it relates to the state anchors and eligible content in the areas of reading, writing, mathematics, and what is being taught in the regular education classroom. This curriculum work began during the last school year and will continue throughout the year and into the summer. PSSA warm-ups and Òadopt an anchorÓ activities have been developed and shared across the district in an effort to provide a more uniform approach to test preparation.
Mrs. Dexter inquired as to when board members and parents will be able to access Performance Tracker. Mrs. Lutcher replied that Northeast Middle School will be the first school to go online with parent portals in place by December. By February 2007, all schools should be online. Mrs. Dexter asked if board members will be able to go online to see how schools are doing? Mrs. Lutcher replied that the administration is currently working on aggregate filtering.
Mrs. Leeson stated that she was impressed with a report her daughter brought home done on e-School Plus. Mrs. Lutcher stated that teachers are not yet comfortable with e-School Plus and are asking that the district go slowly regarding what is made available to parents.
Mrs. Leeson inquired if we have connected with the Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School regarding the action plans? Mr. Villani replied that they should be included, and he will invite Mr. Williams to meetings.
OPEN FORUM
Nothing to report.
OTHER
An executive session followed.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
Minutes Prepared By:
Charlotte L. Zimmerman
Administrative Assistant to the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction