MONDAY, JULY 16, 2007

Members of the Board Curriculum Committee met on Monday, July 16, 2007, at 6:30 p.m. in the Education Center’s 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 Michele Cann, Joseph Craig, Judith Dexter, Dr. Craig Haytmanek, Loretta Leeson, and Diane Rowe. Also in attendance were: Dr. Joseph A. Lewis, superintendent of schools; Robert Gross, assistant superintendent for human resources; Robin Lutcher, director of information technologies; Stanley J. Majewski, Jr., assistant to the superintendent for finance and administration; Thomas Washington, director of student services; Kathleen Bast, coordinator of literacy 6-12; Mary Katona, coordinator of English language arts; Dr. Joanne LoFaso, coordinator of literacy K-5; Julie Victory, supervisor of mathematics; and representatives of the press.

Mrs. Rowe called the meeting to order at 6:45 p.m.

Dr. Lewis presented a Pennsylvania School Boards Association certificate to Michele Cann and welcomed her as an official member of the Board of School Directors.

PARENTLINK PROPOSAL

Robin Lutcher introduced Mr. Troy Pati, a representative from ParentLink, who demonstrated the website and calling feature of the system. He explained that students, parents, teachers, and administrators will be able to use this system. He explained that it will integrate with the student database. He demonstrated how it can be used as a fan out system for school closings, emergencies, and a way of getting important information out to students and parents. Mrs. Leeson inquired as to the cost. Mr. Pati replied that it would cost approximately $2 per student per year.

ENGLISH SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES (ESOL) UPDATE

Doris Correll, coordinator of English acquisition, presented an update on the English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program. She stated that the objective of her presentation is to provide an update to the board on the English acquisition program, and also to remind everyone that English Language Learners (ELLs) have the unique challenge of acquiring English as the target language at the same time they are learning the regular education curriculum in our schools. She

noted that on July 1, 2001, the new Basic Educational Circular (BEC) was developed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) to clarify the legal responsibilities of school districts and charter schools to provide a carefully articulated planned educational program for each student with limited English proficiency that allows the student to meet state academic standards and succeed in school. Mrs. Correll noted that for the 2007-2008 school year, PDE is allowing districts to use up assessments that have already been purchased and the new Wida-ACCESS Placement Test (W-APT) will be phased in. Beginning with the 2008-2009 school year, all school districts will be required to use only the new W-APT.

Mrs. Correll then talked about a new summer school program at Liberty High School. In addition to the READ 180 component, students explored ecosystems, biomes, and habitats through fiction and nonfiction books, the Internet, and some great videos from Unitedstreaming and Discovery School that were downloaded. Teachers’ resource of reading passages on Amazing Facts about Animals in “PSSA” fashion was used as the informational text for students to read. Mrs. Correll then introduced four students from Liberty High School who participated in the new summer school program: Khushbu Fuletra, here six months from India; Angeles Vazques, here one year, six months, from Mexico; Cllara Daniel, here seven months from Brazil; and Exania Torrez, here one year, eight months from Nicaraqua.

DEVELOPMENTAL READING ASSESSMENT (DRA)/READING RECOVERYÒ UPDATE

Mr. Villani introduced Dr. Joanne LoFaso, coordinator of literacy K-5, who presented an overview of the DRA and Reading Recovery programs. She presented two graphs, which demonstrated the advancement in the proficiency levels from the fall to the spring in grades one and two.

Dr. LoFaso then reviewed a report on Reading RecoveryÒ Site Report Guidelines with Complete Tables and Figures for Bethlehem for 2006-2007. She noted that Reading RecoveryÒ is a short-term intervention for children who have the lowest achievement in literacy learning in the first grade. Children meet individually with a specially trained teacher for 30 minutes each day for an average of 12-20 weeks. The goal is for children to develop effective reading and writing strategies in order to work within an average range of classroom performance. Reading RecoveryÒ is also available to children whose initial reading instruction is in Spanish. She noted that Descubriendo la Lectura (DLL) is well established in a number of sites across the United States.

COURTESY OF THE FLOOR TO VISITORS (15 minutes allowed)

Mr. Stephen Antalics, 737 Ridge Street, Bethlehem, PA, spoke regarding the confidentiality of the Acerra report.

OPEN FORUM

Mrs. Dexter asked about the status of offering fine arts honors courses. It was shared that the principals have been contacted and no honors designation or weighting will be given for fine arts courses.

Mrs. Leeson discussed honors weighting. She requested that the district set up a committee to investigate this and to include colleges in the communication regarding proper placement in college level courses specific to our program of study. Mrs. Dexter noted that the district also needs to look at class rank as well, when considering weighted grades and course selection.

Mrs. Leeson asked the administration if they had received an e-mail from a parent regarding a recent Bethlehem Area School District graduate who is now attending college and needs remediation in math. Dr. Lewis replied that he has dealt with the parent, and he also had Mrs. Victory research the situation. Mrs. Victory then presented her findings to the group.

Mrs. Dexter discussed the fact that, on some final exams, students are confronted with questions on material that was not taught to them during the year. The administration noted that some teachers may be using district-wide exams and may not have covered all areas included on the tests.

Mrs. Leeson spoke regarding the issue of missing laptops and the fact that the Bethlehem Education Association is asking for an independent audit. Dr. Lewis replied that he has asked Robert Gross and Robin Lutcher to conduct an investigation. Mrs. Leeson asked that the board request an independent audit. Dr. Lewis requested that the board wait to hear the results of the investigation by Mr. Gross and Mrs. Lutcher before they look at other options.

PHYSICAL ASSAULT LANGUAGE

Mr. Washington reviewed a memorandum he sent to the board regarding changes to the physical assault language as urged by the district’s solicitor. An indication to remove the concept of “attempts to cause physical harm” was recommended, because it will inevitably lead to having to prove intent, which will result in inconsistent outcomes depending on the strength of the evidence for each case. The second recommendation is to have some defining language for physical harm or injury. Therefore, based on the advice of the solicitor and the need to print the Student Code of Conduct booklets, Mr. Washington recommended that the board approve a new definition of physical assault. Mrs. Leeson stated that she felt another section should be added regarding “fear of physical harm” because students should not be afraid before physical harm is actually achieved. Dr. Haytmanek suggested that Mr. Washington submit his proposal at the Regular Board Meeting on July 23, 2007, for discussion and approval.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.

Minutes Prepared By:

Charlotte L. Zimmerman

Administrative Assistant to the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction