The
Curriculum and Instruction Committee of the Board of Education of the
Review of Areas of
Committee Responsibility: The areas of responsibility for this committee were
reviewed. Committee members were
reminded that the only action committee members can take is to forward topics
on to the full board for approval.
There
was a brief discussion on where district curriculum materials are stored. The district does not currently have
electronic files or binders containing the current curriculum, but Dr. Thomas
will be addressing this issue in the near future.
Review of C&I
Director’s Responsibilities for 2009-10: The
district’s official position description for the Director of Curriculum and Instruction
was reviewed. The expectations as stated
are very comprehensive. During the
interview process in mid-July, 2009, Mr. Swartz and Mr. Nolan discussed with
Dr. Thomas the job expectations, as prioritized, to better reflect the
part-time nature of the current position.
CURRICULUM AND
INSTRUCTION:
Discussion—What is
Curriculum?:
Dr. Thomas explained that curriculum is a very broad-based term used in the
educational setting and often means different things to different people. One of the most widely accepted definitions
is from the Wisconsin Association of School Boards (WASB), which Dr. Thomas
reviewed. She noted that state statutes
concerning curriculum establish the minimum requirements.
Discussion—Factors
Impacting Curriculum: Although the curriculum of a school/school district is
focused on students—their needs, interests, aspirations, achievement,
etc.—there are many other factors which influence what the curriculum is and
can be. Some of these factors have more
influence than others and some at certain times than others. Dr. Thomas reviewed a summary of factors
which can and do influence curriculum.
Review of 2009-10
Curriculum Needs, Goals, and Priorities: A summary of the 2009-10 curriculum
needs, goals, and priorities was reviewed. Dr. Thomas noted that this summary
is based on results of a staff/administrator survey. She highlighted the areas where she will be
concentrating her efforts, including the use of software, minor changes to the
curriculum cycle, and follow-up/evaluation of the Everyday Math series and the
K-5 Reading/Language Arts scope and sequence.
She will be updating board members on a regular basis.
Committee Input on
Curriculum Topics to be Discussed During 2009-10: Committee members would
like to include discussions on Advanced Placement courses as well as the
foreign language curriculum in the near future.
Request for Early
Graduation: The High School
Administration received an application for early graduation from a senior
student. The request, per the guidelines
of Board Policy IKFC, has been reviewed by the Review Board and has been found
to comply with the requirements for early graduation. The next step in the process is a review by
the Board of Education and formal action.
A motion to approve the
request for early graduation as presented and forward to the full Board for
approval was made by Mrs. Pupanek, seconded by Mrs. Schoofs. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.
Board members will have the
opportunity to see the student’s required essay indicating the desire to
graduate early, the post high school plans, and the reasons why early
graduation will facilitate such plans.
ASSESSMENT:
Changes in State Testing: Mr. Nolan explained
that
The
state’s Next Generation Assessment Task Force has issued new directions in
student testing, which were briefly discussed.
Ideally, the new assessments will provide a more immediate feedback for
teachers and students than is currently available.
Discussion
turned to the opportunities for working with students who have poor assessment
results. Mr. Nolan and Mr. Rollefson
both emphasized the use of Professional Learning Communities (PLC) within the
district. Response to Intervention (RTI)
is another tool used to help students.
Mr.
Nolan noted that the district is in the initial stages of loading data into the
Pearson Inform system to assist with assessment tracking.
2009-10 State WKCE
Testing Plan:
Mr. Nolan noted that the state of
Discussion of Possible
Topics for Future Meetings
Middle school foreign language requirements
A motion to adjourn was made by Mrs. Pupanek, seconded by Mrs. Schoofs. The motion passed on a voice vote.
ADJOURNMENT: 6:42 p.m.
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Secretary,
Pati Fitzgerald