Curriculum & Instruction: NCC & SAC Info

NCC Minutes...

...April 9, 2008

April 15, 2008

There was a quorum of eleven members present: Lacey Likely, Stephanie Underwood, Kristy Rivers, Katy Karhoff, Barbara Crim, Patricia McKee, Alan Roberts (left early), Larry Hill, Cheryl Robinson, Kathryn Richard, Mario Valenzuela. Kelly Gentry from CLI led the meeting.

The NCC reviewed and approved the minutes from the Jan. 9 and Feb. 28 meetings.

Old Business

There are three open positions on NCC for next year. They are:
Grade 6-8 teacher: _____________
Grade 9-12 teacher: ___________
Parent/Community member: _____________

Kelly thanked Kristy, Katy, and Cindy for their time and contributions to the NCC. Kathryn Richard will be moving to the Board position left open by the resignation of Cindy Bedene. That will leave a Parent/Community position open. Notices need to be given to the three groups (Junior High, High School, community) about the openings and anyone who is interested should fill out a short application. NCC members were encouraged to talk to people who may be good NCC additions. The new assistant principal will also be a new member on NCC for next year.

On April 18, the Junior High and High School will have combined department meetings over the issue of mastery and grading. The main questions will be: What can you agree on as a department? Where can you start? Please see the February minutes for more detail on this subject.

NCC members reviewed the survey results from the high school students over Academic Honesty. It was the same survey that was given to the Junior High students. NCC members agreed that the results point to a need to address this issue in our district. It was recommended that the administrative team begin by creating a Northeast USD Academic Honesty policy. The examples shared with NCC earlier would be good models to follow. It was agreed that the Kays organization would be a good organization to discuss the policy examples with, and get student involvement in this process. Alan agreed to talk to the Kays students about the policy samples. The three key pieces to address this issue would be:
1) establish a K-12 Academic Honesty policy
2) staff development for teachers over the new policy
3) present new policy to students and go over in detail

SAC Reports

Math – the Math SAC will meet May 1 for their final validation meeting of the year. They will be validating the new curriculum and answering the same five questions they did in November:

1) Any changes needed to the new math curriculum?
2) How far as each teacher gotten (pacing guide) with the new curriculum?
3) Any resources needed to teach the new curricuum? Which indicators?
4) Any staff development needed to teach the new curriculum? Which indicators?
5) What assessments have been used so far this year to check students on the new curriculum?
Math teachers should look at the "1st Semester Validation Report" from Nov. 29, 2007 to see if the answers to the questions are still true/relevant. Each teacher should give their feedback to their Math SAC rep. before the May 1 meeting.

Career-Tech – the difference between the Kansas Technology Standards, the Business CTE Standards, and the Board of Regents requirements were discussed. It is possible for the required technology course at the high school to meet all three and flow with the required K-8 technology-keyboarding curriculum. This SAC meets tomorrow to do a read-through of the new K-HS technology-keyboarding curriculum.

Reading – this SAC meets on April 30 and will continue writing the first draft of the new Reading Curriculum. It was brought up that the SAC needs to discuss materials needed during the transition of changing the 10th grade’s and the 11th grade’s focus areas.

21st Century Grant

It was reported that Mr. Smith and some high school students are tutoring after school as an addition to this program. It has been a very positive addition.

PDC/Staff Development

There were questions about which calendar had been approved by the school board for 08-09 staff development days.

Communication

The Site Council is waiting on the school board to approve funding of their projects.

The board has released Mr. Rivers from his contract and is planning on having an interim superintendent during the 08-09 school year as they do a search for a new superintendent. Kelly expressed her appreciation for Mr. Rivers’ leadership and vision in the areas of curriculum, instruction, and assessment.

Next Meeting Agenda

The next and last meeting of the school year will be April 29 from 12:00-3:45. Stacey Bruton, the new CLI consultant, will be at the meeting to become acquainted with everyone. Dates for NCC and SAC meetings during the 08-09 school year will also be discussed.