Education Service Center, Region 20 Parent Advisory Committee Meeting August 28, 2013
Present: Officers/Members Vice-President, Martin Belman Jr. (parent) Poteet ISD Secretary, Irlinda Campos, (parent) North East ISD Member, Sandra Rodriguez, Medina Valley ISD Member, Joanne Moreno, Medina Valley ISD Member, Mayra Hernandez, ESC 20 Member, Maria Martinez, (parent) Alamo Heights ISD Member, Mary Lou Lafuente, Jubilee Charter
ESC 20 Staff: Patricia Martinez, Coordinator III Dolores Sendejo, Educational Specialist Rachel Morales, Educational Specialist Idalia Ibanez, Educational Specialist Terry Ortiz, Counseling Specialist Yvette Munoz, OSY Specialist Debby Hewitt, Component Director Larry Rodriguez, PAC Facilitator
Ad Hoc Members: Rosemary Perez, NISD Maria Rodriguez, Pearsall ISD (Parent) Mary Ortiz, Poteet ISD Mercedes Perez, Poteet ISD (Parent) Richard Cabada, Aetna Janette Rodriguez, Pearsall ISD (Parent) Lillian Perez, Edgewood ISD Erika Martinez, Edgewood ISD Genoveva V. Cotulla ISD San Juanita Balthazar, Edgewood ISD (Parent) Jose Balthazar, Edgewood ISD (Parent) Sarah Amesquita, Natalia/Lytle ISD (Parent) Jose Perez Jr., Natalia ISD (Parent) Maria Perez, Natalia ISD (Parent)
Translation Services: Ezequiel Quijano I. Welcome a. Patricia Martinez, Migrant Education Program (MEP) Coordinator welcomed everyone and facilitated introductions. b. Larry Rodriguez explained the importance of the consultation role of the PAC with the MEP. Since this is our first meeting for the year he also explained the process we will use to vote on issues, make motions, and the process to become a member.
Rachel Morales delivered a power point (PPT) presentation regarding the advisory role of the PAC. Parents were given a copy of the PPT in English and Spanish. Following the presentation, Rachel reviewed the goals of the PAC and participants were given an opportunity to share their thoughts regarding instructional and supplemental services offered by the MEP. Rachel handed out the service delivery plan for this year and went over the grants application and how the MEP determines what services we will offer and how we meet the required activities. c. Larry Rodriguez delivered a presentation on “Robert's Rules of Order”. A copy of the PPT was given to participants in English and Spanish. d. Idalia Ibanez delivered a presentation on “Making and Amending a Motion”. The PPT was provided in both English and Spanish. In order to facilitate the process of making and amending a motion, Idalia initiated a role play. A handout/script was given to everyone to follow along. Idalia asked for volunteers to act out the role of making and amending a motion. Martin Belman and Sandra Rodriguez volunteered. Following the role play, each table was then given the opportunity to practice the process of making and amending a motion.
II. Action Items c. Meeting dates and locations for 2013-2014 Larry Rodriguez explained that last year the PAC met four times throughout the year, from 10:00am – 12:00pm. However, given everything we want to accomplish through the PAC, Larry suggested the group consider expanding the time by one hour and adding an additional meeting for the 2013-14 program year. Sarah Amesquita, made a motion the PAC meet five times throughout the academic year, August, October, January, March and May, from 10:00am- 1:00pm. Joanne Moreno seconded the motion. A vote was taken, and the PAC members unanimously approved the motion.
A suggestion was also made to identify the location and date of the October meeting, other meeting dates and locations will be decided in October. Mary Lou Lafuente made a motion for the next PAC meeting to be held Friday, October 11, from 10:00am – 1:00pm, at ESC 20. The motion was seconded by Mayra Hernandez. The PAC unanimously approved the motion. d. New members Larry asked if anyone was interested in becoming a member of the PAC. Larry reminded the group about the difference between a member and ad-hoc member. Members are eligible to vote on issues, ad-hoc members, although not eligible to vote are encouraged to share their comments and ideas for discussion. Members are also expected to attend meetings on a regular basis, ad-hoc members do not have any attendance criteria.
The following individuals offered to participate as members of the PAC: Mary Ortiz, Poteet ISD Mercedes Perez, Poteet ISD (parent) Sarah Amesquita, Natalia/Lytle ISD (parent) Jose Perez Jr., Natalia ISD (parent) Maria Perez, Natalia ISD (parent)
Richard Cabada, with Aetna offered to participate as a member; however, the PAC by-laws do not currently indicate that a community stakeholder may participate as a member of the PAC. The issue will be raised for discussion at our October meeting.
III. Discussion Items a. Dolores Sendejo facilitated the discussion on parent consultation and the Comprehensive Needs Assessment. She began her presentation by explaining how regional service centers are divided in Texas, and the difference between SSA, non-project, and project districts. She then explained that the data we are about to review only pertains to SSA districts. She shared the Local Needs Assessment (LNA) goals for 2013-14, and explained that the goals were developed with input from an LNA committee. She also extended an invitation for anyone interested in participating on the LNA committee to contact her. She explained that the MEP is interested in the PACs feedback regarding the goals established by the LNA committee; and although goals have been identified they can be adjusted based on parent input.
Dolores reviewed state assessment data; as well as the student needs identified by the LNA committee:
Need 1: More migrant 1st graders must be promoted to 2nd grade Offer more tutoring to first graders before retention. Look at current first graders. Will need to contact districts to find out what assessments were administered and request data to determine who should be tutored. Send books home with parents for reading every night. English/Spanish. Perhaps work through tutors to get books into hands of parents of students who will need it. Start interventions now; don’t wait till later in school year to start interventions.
One of the Edgewood ISD parent liaisons asked how she could get this data for her students. Dolores informed her that the districts have already received the data. Need 2: More migrant students who failed TAKS in any content area(s) must attend summer remediation. Dolores mentioned that the challenge regarding summer remediation is the coordination between the MEP and the district to set up and establish summer school for our migrant students. Sandra Rodriguez, Medina Valley ISD, suggested imposing interventions before summer. Rachel Morales explained that the MEP is considering developing an intervention to address students that need state assessment remediation, as well as utilizing Project Smart for those that are on level. Sandra Rodriguez, Medina Valley ISD, asked if benchmarks are considered, Dolores said, not at this time.
Needs 3, 4, 5: More migrant middle school students must (3) use effective learning and study skills, (4) have timely attention and appropriate interventions and (5) have necessary homework assistance and tools at home. A parent asked what can be provided for students who need help with study skills. Region 20 suggested that we consider tutors addressing study skills needs in addition to content areas or address particular study skills as they relate to specific subject areas.
A parent from Cotulla ISD explained she has problems communicating with tutors and anyone who does not speak Spanish because of the language barrier. Region 20 will consider providing a mediator for parents to communicate effectively with the campus and obtain the supports needed.
Another parent asked what can we do when we know our children need help with school because they are failing or having trouble with school work? The parent went on to explain that she requested tutoring for her child, but the district did not feel she needed the assistance, then at the end of last year the school wanted to retain her. Region 20 will try and find a tutor in her area this year to assist her children if the need exists.
Need 6: More migrant secondary students must earn required credits for on-time graduation. • Educate parents on requirements for graduation • Mentor the child when parents do not want to get involved • Monitor children in need of guidance and support
Need 7: Late entry and early withdrawal. Dolores explained that students who enroll after school has started and those who withdraw early often need assistance completing credits. Dolores reviewed data regarding the number of the potential drop outs within SSA districts. Parents suggested developing a better tracking system so MEP/district can be more proactive. Dolores agreed and told the PAC she will share the idea during the SSA Director's meeting in September. The list of students who came in late and left early has been shared with MEP counselors.
Dolores also shared that most families travel to the same states from one year to the next. The MEP needs to do a better job with contacting the families in early spring so we can provide them with a school contact in the receiving state. Dolores will work on developing a withdrawal report that the campus can send to the MEP so we know which families leave early and come in late. Rosemary Perez, NISD, asked if they would be getting the list. Dolores will be providing the information at the SSA Director’s meeting in September. Patricia Martinez also spoke about the service provided by TMIP regarding the coordination of state assessment testing in other states, credit accrual, etc.
Tabled Items Due to time constraints, the following agenda items were tabled until our October meeting. Accepting the minutes for the March 6, 2013 meeting. Accepting the minutes for the May 10, 2013 meeting. 2012-2013 PAC evaluation results. State PAC meeting summary. Presentation: College Access and Program Options
Mr. Belman, adjourned the meeting and reminded everyone our next meeting is scheduled for Friday, October 11, 2013, from 10:00am – 1:00pm, at ESC 20.