Minutes
Teaching and Learning Subcommittee Meeting
Monday, April 2, 2012
A meeting of the Teaching and Learning Subcommittee was held on Monday, April 2, 2012 at
4:30 pm in the 2
nd Floor Conference Room at the NAGE Building. Present were Ms. Barbara
Isola, Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, and Mrs. Emily Lebo, Chair. Also attending were Superintendent
DeCristofaro, Assistant Superintendent Colleen Roberts, Mr. Keith Segalla, Mrs. Mary
Fredrickson, Ms. Beth Hallett, Ms. Judy Todd; Ms. Allison Cox, President, Quincy Education
Association; and Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk.
The meeting was called to order at 4:35 pm by Mrs. Lebo.
The first item on the agenda was a presentation on the Perkins Core Indicators by Mr. Keith
Segalla and Mrs. Mary Fredrickson. The six core indicators for high schools mandated by the
federal Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006 (Perkins IV)
are:
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Academic Attainment in Language Arts and Mathematics
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Technical Skill Attainment
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Completion
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Graduation Rate
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Placement
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Nontraditional by Gender Participation and Completion.
Performance data on the progress towards meeting these indicators is collected annually across
Massachusetts on two levels: participants (one-year enrollment in CTE program) and
concentrator (two consecutive year enrollment, not necessarily in same major, in CTE program).
If Massachusetts fails to meet at least 90% of the State Adjusted Performance Level, an
improvement plan must be developed and implemented for that indicator. Data is collected for
total population, by gender, ethnic groups, subgroups, nontraditional enrollees, and tech prep
students. If Quincy Public Schools fails to meet at least 90% of the Local Adjusted Performance
Level (negotiated with DESE) for a core indicator, QPS is required to develop and implement a
Local Perkins Improvement Plan for that core indicator.
Mrs. Fredrickson then reviewed actual data for attainment towards core indicator adjusted
performance levels over the last four years. Mrs. Lebo complimented Mrs. Fredrickson on her
understanding of this complex data and suggested that she be added to a state level committee
(SPAC) on Perkins and upcoming changes.
The next item on the agenda was a review of Educational Technology in the Quincy Public
Schools. The current Technology Plan (a District Improvement Plan component) covers the
years 2009-2012. Development will begin shortly for the new plan which will be for the period
of November 2012 through October 2015. The Technology Plan drives many Program
Improvement Plans and impacts School Improvement Plans as well.
For Professional Development, over thirty courses were offered this year. Many of the trainings
supported QPS’s transition to Microsoft Office 2010. Other professional development has been
focused on specific new software and hardware, such as Study Island and MimioTeach; this
professional development is often provided by the companies these were purchased from. On
the hardware side, 188 of a total of 3,000 computers were replaced system-wide through a
combination of the QPS budget, SPED ARRA grants, mitigation funds, DESE grants. Of the 3000
computers deployed in the schools, 82% were considered high-end when installed. Ms. Isola
requested information about the age of the computers in each school. Educational Software
purchases totaled $75,000 from the QPS budget; there were other purchases through Perkins
Grants, SPED grants, and other sources.
Mrs. Roberts then reviewed the Common Core and Curriculum Updates. Using the remaining
budget allocation for this year, Go Math! Grades 1 and 2, consumable Pupil Editions will be
purchased for the next five years and the publisher will provide the Grades 1 and 2
manipulatives free of charge. Supplemental workbooks for Grades 4-5 and 6-8 and agenda
books for Grades 4-8 will be purchased. In addition, Mrs. Roberts would like to purchase
informational texts for all grades, particularly high school, and is researching costs for these.
In next year’s budget, Mrs. Roberts is proposing purchasing Grade 3 of Go Math! For the
Reading pilot, the publisher is providing the Journeys materials for Grades K-4 at Lincoln-Hancock and Grades K-5 at Squantum for free. Mrs. Roberts is also looking at Title I money to
see if a couple more schools can be added to Journeys pilot at a cost. Mrs. Roberts is also
looking at a K-8 Writing program called Write Traits (aligned with Journeys). On April 26, there
will be a Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) seminar at Bridgewater State that six principals
and department heads are attending. Ms. Isola asked how this program differs from the John
Collins’ Writing Across the Curriculum program. Mrs. Roberts responded that we are waiting to
see their new materials; there is also a tie-in in with Keys to Literacy program. Mrs. Lebo
clarified that Mrs. Roberts is presenting district-wide initiatives and individual schools also have
budget lines for textbooks and materials.
The last item on the agenda was the Science Lab Safety. Using a checklist provided by Mrs.
Lebo, Mr. Keith Segalla worked with the Science Department heads at both high schools to
identify needs. New equipment was ordered and is being installed, mostly at North Quincy
High School. Some signage was needed at QHS, and has already been completed. The Middle
School Science Labs will be evaluated after April vacation. Mr. Segalla is suggesting that each
school have a Safety Team, involving the Science Department head. Ms. Isola asked if there is a
process to replace items in First Aid kits on a regular basis. Mr. Segalla noted that it is checked
once a year, but we can develop a reorder form. Mrs. Roberts moved that this item be referred
to a different subcommittee for permanent placement and Mrs. Hubley suggested the Health,
Transportation, and Safety subcommittee.
The Subcommittee’s next meeting is Monday, May 14 and the subcommittee moved the ELL
Program Update to the June 11 meeting. The amended list of agenda items for the last two
meetings of the year are as follows.
May 14
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Review of System Profile and Progress Report
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Alternative Program Goals (review current statistics and trends)
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Naviance (presentation by Paula McGeady, Helena Skinner, Maura Papile; discussion of
usage for following students post-graduation)
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Screening Process for ELC and APC (review)
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Common Core and Assessment Updates from DESE
June 11
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Professional Development Quarterly Report (including information on Summer courses
being offered)
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ELL Program Update (Beth Hallett)
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Draft Assessment Calendar
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Draft Timeline for SIP and PIP (Academic and Academic Support) development;
alignment to Subcommittees
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Outline of what Principals will present at SIP review, standard items to be covered
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Common Core and Assessment Updates from DESE
The meeting was adjourned at 5:30 pm.