Minutes
Quincy School Committee Teaching & Learning Subcommittee Meeting
A meeting of the Teaching & Learning Subcommittee was held on April 26, 2023 at 6:25 pm in the Coddington Building. Present were Subcommittee member Mr. Frank Santoro and Mrs. Emily Lebo, Subcommittee Chair. Also present were Mayor Thomas P. Koch, School Committee Chair and School Committee Members Mr. Paul Bregoli, Mr. Doug Gutro, Mrs. Kathryn Hubley; Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Assistant Superintendent Erin Perkins, Ms. Kim Connolly, Mr. Michael Draicchio, Ms. Julie Graham, Ms. Maura Papile, Ms. Kim Quinn, Ms. Madeline Roy, Mr. Keith Segalla, Mr. Larry Taglieri; and Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk.
Senior Curriculum Director Madeline Roy reviewed the Quincy Public Schools Mentoring Program, starting with the New Professional Staff Orientation that takes place right before the start of the school year. Each teacher, nurse, and student support staff member is assigned a mentor in their curriculum area and from their school whenever possible. The Mentoring Program goals are to: help new teachers improve practice, learn professional responsibilities, and ultimately positively affect student learning; allow veteran teachers to reflect and improve upon their practice, while coaching a new staff member; help unite the learning community as each individual works toward the same goal—improving the quality of education; and elevate the teaching profession and foster a collaborative learning community for all educators.
For the 2022-2023 school year, 79 proteges were mentored for 70 veteran staff members (38 Academic Classroom teachers, 10 Academic Program teachers, 10 Special Educators, 4 English Learner Educators, 6 CVTE Instructors, 4 Student Support, and 7 Nurses. All new professional staff members are assigned mentors within the first week of school. District-wide Mentor Program meetings are held five times over the course of the year. Mentor/Protégé teams keep journals that reflect an additional ten hours of collaboration and coaching. Ms. Roy reviewed the characteristics of an effective mentor: maintains a positive outlook; demonstrates enthusiasm, kindness, and attention to high standards for teaching; accepts the new educator wherever they are in their own development; develops a trusting relationship that allows the new educator to share his or her ideas and expertise; makes time to meet, observe, and have quality conversations; provides honest, ongoing feedback; listens to new educator ideas, problems, needs, and responds in helpful and timely ways; shares their own experiences; and takes time to reflect.
Mentor Team meetings feature guest speakers, inspiring videos, sharing of best practices and resources, opportunities to connect with job-alike colleagues, small group discussions, mentor-protégé collaboration, and technology training and modeling. Participants complete exit tickets that inform the reflection process for the planning team and the plans for the next school year. For the Massachusetts Statewide and Induction data report, Quincy Public Schools consistently exceeds the targets for all categories.
Mr. Bregoli asked about how long the mentor program has been in place. Ms. Perkins said she went through it, so at least 24 years. Mr. Bregoli asked if the mentors are volunteers, Ms. Roy said there is a small stipend but not commensurate with the time involved, which is 20 hours at a minimum.
Mrs. Hubley thanked the presenters, such a wonderful program.
Mayor Koch asked about ensuring that the staff are presenting all sides of political issues and are focused on the process of civic education and civil discourse.
Mr. Gutro arrived at 6:55 pm.
Mrs. Lebo asked how we assist staff members with licensure and moving from initial to provisional and keeping them active. Ms. Roy said that the mentor-protégé relationship often continues for the first few years, but that further support can be formalized.
Ms. Perkins then reviewed the research done to date on Kids Voting USA, is familiar with the program from her teaching days. This is a on-profit non-partisan educational support organization, provides free curriculum for K-8 and 9-12, last updated in 2005. In addition, there is a platform for conducting elections but in order to use it, Quincy Public Schools would need to become an affiliate. In the past, the schools worked with the City Clerk’s office to borrow the voting booths and give students the experience of participating in elections.
Ms. Roy canvassed QPS History and Social Studies teachers, who are invested in the new state standards for Civics at all grade levels, including becoming a responsible participant in the community. In Grade 8, there is a mandatory Civics project, plus comprehensive units on the election cycle, analyzing information and perceptions, and understanding advertising and media manipulation. At some of the middle schools, there is coordination with the Student Council elections and the local/state election cycle. At the high school, there are opportunities for learning more about elections and civic responsibilities in more detail, including registering to vote. Students take part in the Yale Model Congress and Student Government Day at the Massachusetts State House.
Mr. Bregoli complimented building the foundation of civic learning in elementary school, asked about the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. Ms. Roy confirmed these and other primary resources are important for students.
Mr. Gutro said that in his experience, the student voting was a uniform ballot that all elementary schools used, would like to see if there are electronic options available to manage the voting and tabulation. Ms. Perkins suggested putting together a curriculum planning team of educators to collaborate, possibly a summer team.
Mrs. Hubley complimented the Civics education, suggested that students be invited to School Committee meeting to present their projects in future years.
Mrs. Lebo said that the Quincy Votes group has reached out to Kids Vote with no response. Mrs. Lebo suggested that the voting be a real process but not real candidates, doesn’t want to do anything that influences local elections.
Mayor Koch said that the Adams Presidential Center (currently in the planning stages) will be another opportunity to make local history and civics concepts relevant for our students.
Mayor Koch left the meeting at 7:15 pm.
Mathematics Curriculum Team Administrator Kim Quinn shared information about the ST Mathematics Grant opportunity for Grades 5 and 6 at Point Webster and South~West. The program is a digital curriculum with a focus on spatial-temporal reasoning and builds deep conceptual understanding. Schools that have previously been part of this grant have seen an increase in MCAS data of over 10 percentile points. Since the program is visual, there is no language barrier to access the content. The grant covers a three-year site license for each building, three Professional Development sessions, and a coordinator to work with the schools. Currently, 59 districts in Massachusetts are using the program. The total value of the grant is $32,000 per year for three years.
Mr. Gutro asked about the source of the grant, the 18 Foundation is providing the funding. Mr. Gutro asked if QPS selected the grade levels, Ms. Quinn confirmed that these two grades were selected based on MCAS data. The program will be implemented in the schools for the 2023-2024 school year, there is a placement component so students will begin at the point that meets their needs. The pilot will be evaluated and future expansion to other schools will be carefully considered.
Mrs. Lebo asked about monitoring usage; Ms. Quinn confirmed that all of the Grade 5 and 6 teachers at these two schools will be trained to administer the program. Mrs. Lebo asked for specifics for the Professional Development, Ms. Quinn said it will be customized for the needs of each school and some will be focused on data analysis of the program usage and progression. Professional development will begin on the first staff day of school in September.
Mrs. Lebo asked about the costs to increase to additional grades and additional buildings. Ms. Quinn will follow up, but it could be a substantial investment to expand this throughout the school system.
Mrs. Hubley asked if there is a home component, Ms. Quinn said students can work on it at home if they wish. As part of the grant, QPS is committing to 90 minutes per week during the school day.
Mr. Santoro made a motion to adjourn at 7:45 pm, seconded by Mrs. Lebo. On a voice vote, the ayes have it.