Curriculum & Instruction: NCC & SAC Info

NCC Minutes...

...April 26, 2007

by Randy Rivers

May 02, 2007

Northeast Curriculum Council Minutes
Thursday, April 26, 2007
8:15 A.M.

The NCC met on Thursday, April 26, 2007, at the Franklin Community Center at 8:15 A.M. Thirteen members were present along with Kelly Gentry, Curriculum Leadership Institute (CLI) consultant. Members Ken Cleland, Larry Hill, Roger Horn, Craig Stokes, and Mario Valenzuela were absent.

Each member present received an agenda, Site Council Minutes, Decision Making Framework Grading/Reporting from (CLI), a sample grade card, article “Grading to Communicate” by Tony Winger, and minutes from the February 28th NCC meeting.
The February 28, 2007 minutes were read and approved as written.

Communication of NCC decisions to the staff was discussed at length. NCC members decided to explore with the school board the option of late start/early release school days. This time would allow for faculty meetings in which NCC staff could communicate decisions to their constituents. Prior to a faculty meeting, an unofficial copy of the latest NCC minutes, an agenda and items to be discussed would be E-mailed to all staff, board members, and NCC members. This would allow for immediate feedback on the latest NCC decisions.

Math SAC has completed all decisions. List of accomplishment below:
1. Surveys were sent out and received back.
2. Information was put onto cards and wall charts were made.
3. Every tested indicator (marked with a red delta) was found or added to the wall.
4. Topics were grouped. Example: Multiplication, Division, etc.
5. Double checked all decisions.
6. Created focus areas for each grade and course.

Pre-Algebra was eliminated, eighth grade math for all. All freshmen will take Algebra I.
Algebra I is a heavy load for some students, so Algebra I-A and Algebra I-B will be offered over freshman and sophomore years for those students. Teachers and state assessments will help to decide which Algebra class a student will enroll in. All students will take Geometry after Algebra I is completed in order for students to be prepared to take state assessments during their Junior year.

Lengthy discussion took place on how to differentiate instruction in a class in order to engage all levels of ability in learning. Support and resources are needed for the teachers, so that changes can be made in presentation at levels without changing the whole content.
Honors classes would need a definition which included cultural aspects as well as having measurable curriculum. Teacher/student discussions in class about how students would like to learn, what they would like to read, etc. How can we get our students more engaged in learning? How can we change the prevailing culture? Discussion involved various clubs students could join in order to pursue their learning interests in a small school district while still getting the benefit of personal attention. Freshman orientation at the High school involving parents and having student representatives of activities and clubs speak in order to gain interest, also an orientation for 5th graders entering Jr. High. Staff would need to be supported, encouraged and compensated for their time spent sponsoring these activities.

Break from 9:30 to 9:45

The next Math SAC will be held in the lab at the Northeast Elementary School. The Math SAC will go over the rules and start to write. The key is to state what will be taught and what to do it students don’t get it.

Randy Rivers presented plans for next year’s extended learning opportunities. The budget included funding for ten hours per week for tutoring at each building. Randy will be submitting a 21st Century Learning Opportunity Grant to supplement tutoring. If accepted this grant could allow hire of a coordinator who would supervise two tutor coordinators. High school students would be hired to tutor. This is a decreasing amount grant which allows a school district to get established and then allows the community to take over. Greenbush has provided examples of successful grants and feedback.

Summer school is ready with concentration on getting 2nd graders ready for reading in the 3rd grade, and 5th graders ready for Jr. High math.

Discussion took place concerning compensation for tutors. Buildings do not have enough tutors at this time.

The Math SAC has approved an off cycle request for a new Geometry book. NCC will recommend to the board that the textbook be purchased.

Write Source textbooks were discussed for grades K-12. High school, middle school and elementary teachers will get together to look at the series.

Spanish SAC will meet on May 4th. Jr. High Spanish will be an overview and not required for Spanish I.

Skills, including study skills, technology, economic and social skills, etc. needed by students for the future and how they should be integrated into the curriculum were discussed at length. Members received a copy of Framework for 21st Century Learning, Draft of Refreshed ISTE NETS for Students, and Kansas Career Fields and Clusters Model. All integrated skills will need to be clear about what is taught at each grade level.

Building/Site Council Reports: High School faculty has regular meeting and has established one grade book for math according to standards, finalized, and ready to wrap up for enrollment.
-Middle school is dealing with student discipline issues which may affect the schedule. Lengthy discussion followed. Consensus of members that in-school suspension does work, however requires strict reinforcement.
-Elementary school would like to improve attendance of site council meetings. Discussion included using reach phone for mass calling to invite people to attend the night before, announcements over the High school inter-com to invite students, address Site Council at PTO meetings, and Open House, have students give presentations and specifically invite people who may not otherwise attend.
-Site Council addressed Junior high students attending High school dances, people attending felt that this was a parenting issue, however the NCC decided that it needed to be dealt with at the school level as parenting ability varies.
-Members need to review packet which included an example of a good report card bad practice from Transforming Classroom Grading, by Robert J. Marzano.

Item 9 on the agenda, Goals/Current Initiatives carried over to the next meeting. Also anyone wishing to reapply for NCC should do so at the next meeting.

The next meeting will be held on Thursday, May 10, 2007, at the Franklin Community Center and will begin at 8 A.M.

Meeting adjourned at 11:30.