Blueprint for Learning and Teaching (BLT) Minutes
April 21, 2004 (http://158.123.229.10/Administration/BLT/Minutes%20-%2021%20Apr%2004.html)
I particularly like this synopsis from this tinfoil school district (I think he is speaking about lowest common denominator teaching):
"Steve Martin said we cannot continue to focus on the top group. Mike Allen stated we are a public school system-“we have to take everybody”. We have to take care of the other 70%, not just the top 30%. Mr. Weiss agreed, adding that we need to accommodate the needs of all students. (Amended: Jeffrey Weiss)"
Linda Newman welcomed a new member, Janice Kissinger, to the group. Janice is a director at School One in Providence.
The minutes from the March 10, 2004 meeting were distributed. Several corrections were suggested and will be made. Jeffrey Weiss made a motion to hold the minutes in abeyance for approval and, after amended and approved, post on the BLT website. Diane Elofson seconded. Motion carried.
The “Big Picture”
Linda Newman gave an overview of the “Big Picture” – the connections linking federal mandates, state mandates, Professional Development, district strategic plans, standardized tests, and student performance. Presently, the Lincoln School Department has 4 low performing schools. We are presently in PS&I and RIDE is intervening. We also had a negative High School SALT report and those recommendations need to be addressed. Linda spoke about Turning Points, stating that the Middle School, adolescent age is challenging. The children need personal attention – if you lose the kids, they are difficult to regain. Linda spoke about flexible grouping and constantly assessing, identifying, and prescribing student needs.
Jeffrey Weiss asked to speak on heterogeneous versus homogeneous grouping. Both he and Diane Elofson have done extensive research on this. Linda suggested they speak to the group on their research after visiting the schools.
Fred Hoppe noted there is tremendous research on both sides. Go to the schools and see how “all kids are being challenged”.
Diane Elofson was concerned that the schools only take you into the best classes. Fred Hoppe reassured her that she will see all.
Steve Martin said we cannot continue to focus on the top group. Mike Allen stated we are a public school system-“we have to take everybody”. We have to take care of the other 70%, not just the top 30%. Mr. Weiss agreed, adding that we need to accommodate the needs of all students. (Amended: Jeffrey Weiss)
Charles Schotter questioned the use of only research-based information as compared to common sense. He stated that we do not know where the next several years of NCLB will go – it’s too slanted on research-based. We have to see where it makes sense to us as a community – we need to use common sense.
Mary Ann McComiskey stated we need to come up with programming that works for all students.
Dennis McNamara said the “operative word is flexible”.
School Visits
Fred Hoppe spoke on the NELMS recommendations. NELMS knows what works, what doesn’t, and the roadblocks. He presented the group with a diagram of a KIVA (an all self-contained area) used in a true Middle School. The teaching time is longer because the children don’t lose time going through the hallways from class to class. Fred explained the instructional strategies with teaming. He said he did not realize the importance of the art component until he read the research and was very impressed with the art component in the KIVA. Fred was also very impressed with the community/parent involvement.
Janice Kissinger felt that we need to personalize instruction for each child. A new middle school brings about so many great opportunities.
Jeffrey Weiss wants to make sure we do not do harm to the “high” students. He feels the teachers in these ideal schools work well beyond their contractual obligation. It’s a process that’s not going to happen magically. He feels perhaps the accelerated students can go over to the High School and take classes.
Two sheets were passed around the table in order for members to visit either East Lyme, CT. or Barrington, RI Middle Schools. Classroom guidelines were also distributed.
The focus of the May 12th meeting will be to debrief about the school visits. Members will compare and contrast the two schools. If the Middle School summit is that day, it will also be discussed.
Respectfully submitted,
Joanne McManus
Sounds like they are irritated that the teachers have to give these tests and, by extension, prove their comptetence at teaching....:-)
http://www.pawtuckettimes.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=13722125&BRD=1713&PAG=461&dept_id=24491&rfi=6
LINCOLN -- Students who dread the annual state assessment tests will get a reprieve this spring.
Rhode Island schools won’t administer this year’s tests in March as they normally do, instead pushing them back to October, according to Lincoln School Department officials.
Interim Superintendent James DiPrete said during Monday’s School Committee meeting that the state education department notified the school district that the tests will be delayed six months.
A spokesman for the Department of Education could not be reached Monday night.
"I’m very relieved," DiPrete told the committee. "We weren’t sure if we were going to be told whether we would have to do the assessment tests."
Assistant Superintendent Linda Newman said after the meeting that the six-month delay came about because Rhode Island is coming into full compliance with the federal No Child Left Behind Act. That law requires states to conform to guidelines established by the federal Department of Education.