The
Curriculum and Instruction Committee of the Board of Education of the
Approval of November 9, 2009 Committee Meeting Minutes: A motion to approve the Curriculum & Instruction
Committee meeting minutes from 11-09-09 was made by Mrs. Pupanek, seconded by
Mrs. Schoofs. The motion passed on a
unanimous voice vote.
STAFF DEVELOPMENT:
No topics for this
meeting.
CURRICULUM AND
INSTRUCTION:
Reading/Language Arts
Needs Assessment:
Dr. Thomas explained that last fall a curriculum survey was completed by
administrators and staff. This survey
solicited information about the status of the district’s curriculum across all
subjects and at all grade levels. Survey
results from both administrators and staff at the elementary level expressed a need
to improve curriculum consistency in
K-5 Reading/Language Arts. Survey
perceptions were that the content or what is taught varies within grade level,
across grade levels, and from school to school.
Middle School staff indicated issues when students come together at
sixth grade who seem to have much variation in skills that have been taught or
emphasized at the elementary level.
Based
on the survey results, a 2009-2010 goal was set to review the K-5 Reading/Language
Arts curriculum scope and sequence, delivery, and articulation. Since September, data about what is being
taught has been collected, discussions have been held through grade level
meetings, and existing written curriculum has been gathered together.
Dr.
Thomas provided an overview of what is currently being taught in the K-5
Reading and Language Arts curriculum. She
noted two recommendations:
Measurable
learning targets will be developed
Common
assessments – both formative and summative – will be designed
JMS Counts Proposal –
RtI Intervention Strategy: RtI (Response to Intervention) is a research
based best practices model used by the district to help assure that all
students achieve. Mr. Rollefson shared
information on a wide range of interventions employed at Jefferson Middle
School (JMS) as well as a new program planned for implementation in 2010-2011.
Mr.
Rollefson explained two approaches to intervention utilized at JMS:
The “guide on the
side” method which provides tutorial-based student assistance.
The understanding
that zero effort is not an option, or the Zeros Aren’t Permitted (ZAP) program.
Mr. Rollefson went on to explain the JMS Counts
Intervention Program that he would like to implement for the 2010-2011 school
year.
Foreign Language Pathway
Plan – Phase in 2010 and 2011 (MS) and 2011-2012: Curricular updates in
middle/high school foreign language were implemented in phase one of this
current 2009-2010 school year.
Additional research and study as it relates to continuous quality
improvement dictates some changes. These
changes will allow for more honors classes at the high school while supporting
the exploratory philosophy at JMS.
Mr.
Rollefson explained in detail the pathway a student would follow in order to
include AP Spanish in his/her coursework.
If implemented, students will experience an exploratory foreign language
in both 7th and 8th grades. This does not change the foreign language
curriculum.
No
committee action was taken on this item.
Mr. Swartz will research to determine if any Board action is required.
ASSESSMENT:
EXPLORE/PLAN
Implementation:
Mr. Nolan explained that during the month of December both the PLAN and EXPLORE
academic assessments were completed by students. PLAN was administered to students in 10th
grade and EXPLORE was administered to students in 8th grade. All students were encouraged to complete
these assessments.
While
data is currently not available for the PLAN assessment, the district has
received composite and individual student data for EXPLORE.
Committee
members reviewed the 2009-10 EXPLORE Profile Summary Report: “Are our students
On Track to be college ready when they graduate from high school?” This report provides predictive data on
readiness for college classes after high school graduation.
Pearson Inform
Implementation Update: The committee received an update on the progress made in
implementing the Pearson Inform data storehouse program. The student information from PowerSchool as
well as two years’ of WKCE data have been uploaded into the program. Staff will be trained to upload additional
data and system use.
WKCE Update: Committee members
received a report on WKCE testing which was completed in November.
Suggested Topics for
Next Committee Meeting:
Foreign language plan
Curriculum cycle
A motion to adjourn was made by Mrs. Pupanek, seconded by Mrs. Schoofs. The motion passed on a voice vote.
ADJOURNMENT: 6:48 p.m.
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Secretary,
Pati Fitzgerald