Anne Arundel County Public Schools

Anne Arundel County Public Schools PARENT INVOLVEMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL Meeting Minutes February 25, 2016

Present: Anna Smith, Carol Streeter, John McGrath, Teresa Tudor, Kim Offutt, Nancy Cahlink- Seidler, Flo Kennedy-Stack, Susan Downey

Welcome Carol Streeter welcomed the group and called the meeting to order. Teresa sent regards from the several members who were not able to attend because of their own or family members’ illness, and from staff members, Anne Weaver and Laura Gardner, both of whom were on leave.

Dr. Maureen McMahon, Deputy Superintendent for Academics and Strategic Initiatives, and Jessica Cuches, Esq., Legislative and Policy Counsel: “Grading Policy” Maureen and Jessica provided an explanation of the current “Re-do” grading policy in middle and high schools, the justification for a review of the policy, and a status update. Currently, the opportunities for students to re-do poorly completed assignments in order to improve their understanding of the material and to improve their grades depends on each teacher’s interpretation of the “Re-do” policy. This results in inconsistent grading within schools and across the county. In response to many comments and inquiries from teachers, parents, students, school administrators, and counselors, a new policy is expected to be ready to implement in August 2016.

Both Maureen and Jessica are meeting with stakeholders across the county to learn of their concerns with the current “Re-do” practices and to hear suggestions for the new policy. These discussions include the educational philosophy and implementation preferences of Dr. Arlotto. The new policy will  be in keeping with the “Growth Mind-set” educational philosophy.  encourage staff to guide and empower students to make ‘wide-lensed’ assignment re-do decisions in order improve their learning and grades within a grading quarter.  create less emphasis on “perfection.”  reward students’ mastery, instead of the frequent practice of averaging the original and re-do assignment grades.  provide 3 -5 re-do opportunities, regardless of the first grade, and within a set time period  will not apply to homework or quarterly assessments.

Les Douglas, Supervisor of Transportation: “Bus Transportation in AACPS” Les presented a thorough explanation of the many complex variables involved in developing school bus routes for AACPS students. Les reported that, the while the AACPS transportation department has outstanding talent, their tools are 20 years behind, technologically. Selection of the new routing software vendor will be finalized in April. In the meantime, since October 2015, a team of AACPS Transportation, IT, and Student Data staff, together with Anne Arundel County Transportation staff, has been developing software to ensure accurate data pathways to be used by the new routing system. Systems that ensure the privacy of each student’s data (i.e. each is ‘scrubbed’ of all information unnecessary to school bus transportation) must be upgraded

1 for the new technology. Since software that can give the most efficient bus stop locations, cannot replace human judgement re: safe bus stop, bus “Hazard Zones,” road and intersection details must be manually entered to a massive database. Les’s presentation illustrated why it’s imperative for this multi-dimensional team to work thoroughly and deliberately to ensure student safety above all other considerations. His mantra: “Work quickly, but don’t hurry.”

It is hoped that a new system will be in place for kick-off in August 2016.

Les welcomes opportunities to speak with parent groups. His contact information: Les Douglas, Supervisor of Transportation, 419-222-2924, [email protected].

Les’s powerpoint presentation is attached.

Sue Powell, Manager, Systems Transformation Project: “Early Childhood Community Resources Initiative Care Team (EC CRICT)” Sue provided a quick description of EC CRICT and encouraged PIAC members (particularly, of the south and west county areas from which there have been very few referrals this school year.) to inform their school communities of this valuable early childhood intervention resource. Sue explained that EC CRICT is a multi-agency collaborative effort to address the needs of young children (birth – age 5) and their families in order to improve each child’s school readiness. While this is not a new concept, significant changes have been made to the program to ensure more effective outcomes. The initial hour, when the EC CRICT team meets with the family, the needs are assessed and the agency representatives and the family develop a plan of action. Sue and her staff remain in contact with the family and agencies to ensure the action plan is implemented or to make necessary adjustments. Childcare and interpreters are provided as needed for the meetings and appointments. EC CRICT is funded by yearly grants.

Click here for more information: EC CRICT Information For referral, contact the Systems of Care Information and Referral Phone Line specialists at 1- 800-485-0041.

Member Reports PIAC members reported on parent/family involvement activities and initiatives in their schools. A few of these included:

- Anna Marie Smith brought the teen forum to the members’ attention. - Kerry Petz described the LDI group activity in which she is involved, setting up an internet-based “exchange” system for resources. Blackboard is one information sharing platform being considered.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:40 AM.

Upcoming meetings: 9:30 – 11:30 AM  April 14, 2016 – Conference Room 2B – “Curriculum Update”, Michele Batten, Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum & Instruction  May 26, 2016 – Conference Room 2A