CHESHIRE PUBLIC SCHOOLS 29 Main Street Cheshire, CT 06410 Minutes Curriculum Committee of the Board of Education October 17, 20
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
CHESHIRE PUBLIC SCHOOLS 29 Main Street Cheshire, CT 06410 Minutes Curriculum Committee of the Board of Education October 17, 2011 5:30 P.M. Humiston Board Room Present: Sandra Pavano, Steven Mrowka, Jerry Brittingham, Kevin Ryan, Vanessa Montorsi, Anupa Simpatico, Elyse Nevins, Laurie Vicario, Scott Detrick, Deborah Burns Steve Mrowka called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. Jerry Brittingham made a motion to approve the minutes of the June 6, 2011 meeting. Steve Mrowka seconded the motion. The committee unanimously approved the minutes. Information Items Cheshire Curriculum Council Mr. Detrick reviewed the second generation plan for the second cycle of the Cheshire Curriculum Council review process. During the 11-12 school year, world language, adult education, and physical education will make their formal presentation to the committee. Language arts and Special Education will participate in the internal review process this year with a formal presentation planned for 2012-13. Adequate Yearly Progress Mr. Detrick shared the September 19, 2011 news release from the Connecticut State Department of Education regarding the proficiency results for reading, writing, math and all related subgroups. The percentage of schools in Connecticut not meeting the target jumped drastically in 2011 due to the increased proficiency expectations and the related calculation of subgroup scores. Mr. Detrick explained the various reasons that a school might not meet the yearly targets. Both the Cheshire district and Highland Elementary School have been taken off the “In Need of Improvement” list due to changes in student numbers within the various subgroups and more effective intervention work with students with special needs. Dodd did not meet AYP due to the fact that the students with disabilities subgroup did not reach the target in reading and math. Three Year Technology Plan Process The district is in the process of writing the latest three-year technology plan as required by the Connecticut State Department of Education. The draft plan will be vetted with the district Instructional Technology Committee and sent to ACES and to the CSDE by July 1, 2012. Mr. Detrick asked Mr. Mrowka to serve as the BOE representative to the committee. Mr. Brittingham suggested that the plan also be shared with the town Technology Committee. Cheshire High School Program of Changes Mr. Ryan shared program changes with the committee. Changes in the 2012-13 CHS program of studies include the addition of the senior year independent study Capstone project, the addition of a new advanced personal finance class, and the addition of advanced French IV and German IV courses. Mr. Brittingham suggested that CHS keep track of the time required for administrators, students, and teachers to complete or support the projects. Senior English will be revised to include a yearlong literary experience for college prep students. Eleven existing courses will be deleted to reduce the number of electives that don’t meet the new standards, CT Secondary School Reform requirements or have historic low enrollment. Four classes will have level changes in keeping with new designations about competitive college preparation and college preparation course content. Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) Mr. Ryan reported on the 2011 SAT test results. The mean score for CHS students in critical reading was 545. The CT average was 509, and the U.S. average was 497. The mean score for CHS students in math was 553. The CT average was 513, and the U.S. average was 514. The mean score for CHS students in writing was 539. The CT average was 513, and the U.S. average was 489. The scores on all subtests, including history, literature, chemistry, and physics, remain strong. Advanced Placement (AP) Results Mr. Ryan reported on the AP test results. Three hundred and thirty-seven students took the Advanced Placement exams. The percent of students who attained a qualifying score ranged from 20 percent (German) to 100 percent (art, European history, Latin, calculus, and physics). More students took an advanced placement test at Cheshire High School in 2011 compared to the previous years. Naviance Demonstration Vanessa Montorsi, the K-12 Guidance Department leader, shared information about the state-required student success plan. In Cheshire, this plan will be digitally recorded on Naviance, a web-based student portfolio. Beginning in sixth grade, students will complete learning styles inventories, interest inventories, and career inventories in preparation for their career and college search and resume development. A collection of student work samples and summative and formative assessment results will support evidence-based decision making, communication, and the selection of majors and co curricular activities. Parent and students will have access to all student work on Naviance. Career-based videos are also available to students to aid in their decision making process. Lastly, the program supports college searches and aids in the college application process. Common Core State Standards and the Smarter Balance Assessment Consortium Deborah Burns made a presentation to the Curriculum Committee about the newly adopted Common Core State Standards and the upcoming Smarter Balance computer based testing expecting for Grades 3-8 and Grade 10 in 2015. More detailed information will be provided at a later date. Out of State Field Trip Mr. Detrick shared information with the committee about the November 4, 2011 through November 6, 2011 trip for eight CHS students to attend the Future Business Leaders of America National Fall Conference in Philadelphia, PA. The date for the November Curriculum Committee Meeting is scheduled for November 14, 2011. The meeting will begin at 5:30 P.M. The meeting adjourned at 7:12. Respectfully submitted, Deborah E. Burns, Ph.D. K-8 Curriculum Coordinator Cheshire Public Schools .