Nov. 3, 2014 Teaching/Learning Sub Meeting

Agenda

Teaching and Learning Subcommittee
School Improvement Plan Presentations
Monday, November 3, 2014, 3:30 pm
Coddington Building

Presentation Schedule:

  1. Atlantic Middle School
    Principal: Maureen MacNeil

  2. Central Middle School
    Principal: Rick DeCristofaro, Jr.

  3. Point Webster Middle School
    Principal: Christine Barrett

  4. Sterling Middle School
    Principal: John Franceschini

  5. Broad Meadows Middle School
    Principal: Daniel Gilbert

Minutes

Quincy School Committee
Teaching & Learning Subcommittee Meeting
Monday, November 3, 2014

A meeting of the Teaching & Learning Subcommittee was held on Monday, November 3, 2014 at 3:30 pm at the Coddington Building. Present were Mr. Paul Bregoli, Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, and Ms. Barbara Isola, Chair. Also attending were Superintendent DeCristofaro, Deputy Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Ms. Christine Barrett, Mr. Rick DeCristofaro, Dr. John Franceschini, Mrs. Mary Fredrickson, Mr. Daniel Gilbert, Ms. Beth Hallett, Ms. Maureen MacNeil, Mrs. Maura Papile, Mrs. Erin Perkins, Ms. Madeline Roy, Mr. Keith Segalla, Ms. Judy Todd; and Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk.

Ms. Isola called the Teaching & Learning Subcommittee Middle School Improvement Plan presentation to order at 3:30 pm. She asked the principals to present highlights of their School Improvement Plans, focusing on what they want School Committee to know about their schools.

Ms. MacNeil presented the Atlantic Middle School Improvement Plan, noting the school’s diverse student population, opportunities for learning in a safe & secure environment. She thanked the Mayor and Parks Department for the extensive upgrades to Atlantic’s landscaping, driveway, and fields. In reviewing last year's goals, progress was made towards the increasing average percent correct on MCAS goals. For Math, two of three grades achieved the goal. In ELA, students did not meet school-wide goal, but indivdual grades made progress. Steps included teachers’ use of data for the overall picture and individual students; literacy and writing across the curriculum; and the Math reteach model. Academic growth is apparent in many areas. The Science MCAS exam continues to be challenging, but students recorded the highest score ever. High student growth across the grade levels, particularly in Gr. 6 and 7 Math, in the 70% range. The Wellness goal was met through multiple opportunities for physical activity and school-wide anti-bullying initiatives,

For 2014-2015, Atlantic Middle School's goals are: (1) students will demonstrate an increased ability to read and comprehend complex literary and informational texts independently and efficiently. This will be evidenced by an increase of 2% or more in the average percent correct for the English Language Arts total tests, school-wide from a base of 70% over the 2014 ELA MCAS results at each grade level as documented on the Spring 2015 English Language Arts MCAS Standards Report. (2) Students will demonstrate an increased ability to persevere and use reasoning to solve increasingly complex math tasks. This will be evidenced by an increase of 2% or more in the average percent correct for the Mathematics total tests, from a school-wide base of 72% over the 2014 Math MCAS results with a specific focus on open response items as documented on the Spring 2015 Math MCAS Standards Report. (3) The Atlantic Middle School Wellness Team will identify and implement wellness initiatives based on the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s Healthy Schools Program framework and school inventory.

Mrs. Hubley asked about the Low Participation rate from DESE. Ms. MacNeil said there were some absences for medical reasons. Mrs. Hubley asked about attendance at the Anti-Bullying Parent Breakfast. Ms. MacNeil said there was a good rate of attendance and translation was available.

In beginning his presentation of the Central Middle School Improvement Plan, Mr. DeCristofaro thanked School Committee for the first year in the new Central Middle School, October 21 was the anniversary of the move in date. Central Middle School has an enrollment of 642 students this year, 26% FLEP. Each grade level is 60% neighborhood students and 40% Advanced Placement Center program students. Central Middle School sustained the Average Percent Correct rate from 2013, but did not make the 2013-14 goal overall with the exception of Grade 7 did make the goal. All APC students were proficient or above at all grades on all tests. The wellness goal met, with many opportunities for before and after school activities

In planning for 2014-2015, there was a focus on reducing class size in neighborhood, almost all APC teachers are teaching a section of neighborhood section. With this new plan in place, collaboration is increasing across grade level teams with all teachers united in the common goal of student achievement. The new data team worked with all teachers on sharing and analyzing the level of mastery students demonstrated in Common Core Domains or Strands.

For 2014-2015, Central Middle School's goals are (1) students will demonstrate an increased ability comprehension and interpretation of text. Specific focus will be on identifying key ideas and details and evidence from texts, data sets, or observations. This will be measured by an increase of 2% from a base of 75% on the Reading Anchor Standards as evidenced by the Spring 2015 English Language Arts MCAS Standards Report. (2) The school’s total average percent correct will increase in the area of Mathematics, specific to Open Response questions (from a base of 64%). This will be evident through well-crafted arguments and justified solutions for increasingly difficult constructed response questions as evidenced by the Spring 2015 Math MCAS Standards Report. (3) The Central Middle School Wellness Team will increase student engagement in Wellness initiatives during the 2013-2014 school year.

Ms. Barrett presented the Point Webster Middle School Improvement Plan, highlighting the staff's dedication to providing opportunities to every child to grow and achieve more. In reflecting on Point Webster Middle School's goals from 2013-2014, there was evidence of grade-level growth. For ELA, 7% at 6th grade and 8% at 7th grade. For Math, APC improved by 1.5% points. In Grade 6, Math increased 6%. Student growth percentiles showed growth in ELA and Math and Point Webster received extra credit for increases in Proficient or Above performance at many grade levels. Ms. Barrett is very proud of the school’s growth. For 2014-2015, Point Webster has implemented the Student Support Block, a full inclusion model for Language Arts, and added Grade 6 to the Math Reteach model.

Goals for 2014-2015 are continuation from previous years: (1) students will demonstrate an increased ability to read and comprehend complex literary and informational texts. This will be evident by an increase of 2% or more over the 2014 MCAS average percent correct in the College and Career Readiness Anchor Standard for Reading, with a focus on a 2% increase at each grade level as documented on the Spring 2015 English Language Arts MCAS Standards Report. (2) Students will demonstrate an increased ability to persevere and use reasoning to solve increasingly complex math tasks and complete Open Response questions. This will be evident by an increase of 2% or more over the 2014 average percent correct with a specific focus on a 2% increase at each grade level, as documented on the Spring 2015 Math MCAS Standards Report. (3) Point Webster Middle School will assist students, staff, and the Point Webster community to achieve an optimal level of wellness by implementing Wellness initiatives during the 2014-2015 school year. Initiatives will be based on the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s Healthy Schools Program framework.

Ms. Barrett noted that there are very favorable class sizes at Point Webster, all are under 23 students. Point Webster is the home of the citywide STARS program. Point Webster has many extended day activities. Mrs. Hubley asked about the Geography Bee, this is the 2nd year and the event will once again be broadcast on Channel 22.

Dr. Franceschini presented the Sterling Middle School Improvement Plan. In reflecting on last year's goals, the ELA goal was not met for all grades, but Grade 7 showed a 4% increase. An increased number of students received Advanced or Proficient. For Math, the goal was exceeded, with the average increase being 4%. Initiatives implemented during the 2013-2014 school year include Math Reteach and individual Math tutoring, the Student Support Block, math components in after-school programs. 62% of Sterling’s students participate in before and after-school programs.

Sterling Middle School’s Goals for 2014-2015 are: (1) students will demonstrate an increased ability to read and comprehend complex literary and informational texts. This will be evident by an increase of 2% or more in the average percent correct for Multiple Choice questions, from a base of 64% as documented on the Spring 2015 English Language Arts MCAS Standards Report. (2) Students will demonstrate an increased ability to use higher-level reasoning skills to respond to Short Answer questions. This will be evident by an increase of 2% or more in the average percent correct for Short Answer questions, from a base of 56% as documented on the Spring 2015 Math MCAS Standards Report. (3) The Sterling Middle School Wellness Team will continue to identify and implement new initiatives, while enhancing our current wellness initiatives based on the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s Healthy Schools Program framework and school inventory.

For 2014-2015, Sterling is piloting a new schedule for Grade 5, with teams of two teachers covering all subject areas. Professional development is focused on strategies for reaching reluctant readers and writers. There is collaboration between ELL and SPED teachers, writing across all curriculum areas, and collaboration on integrating mathematics content at multiple levels. Sterling enjoys a very successful mentoring program of former Sterling students who work with younger students after school on ELA and Mathematics.

Dr. Franceschini said the Sterling staff would also like to focus on family involvement, with the growing diversity of cultures among the school’s families, activities may shift with student interest. Sterling is continuing to working on attendance and punctuality issues. Community service is a strong component of the Sterling experience. Arbella Insurance recently provided a $2,000 grant to install security cameras in the school building.

For the new Sterling Middle School project, we are expecting to begin the Feasibility Study phase following the November 19 MSBA Board meeting.

Mr. Bregoli asked for more information on how the Grade 5 schedule works. Students are switching between two teachers, rather than four, so larger blocks of time can be allocated for certain subjects.

Mr. Gilbert presented the Broad Meadows School Improvement Plan, noting that the staff’s focus is on effective instruction and supports. Professional Development focused on what does it mean to be effective -- what does the data tell the staff about areas for focus. The support of the new data team allows teachers to bridge data into the classroom. Broad Meadows is the home of the citywide Language Development Program. Baseline data from 2013 included the students from this program who transferred from Point Webster. Progress includes the whole school community and the integration of students of all abilities is stressed. Every child and every staff member are accountable for performance. Professional collaboration, school core values, staff commitment to student achievement allowed for a shift in thinking. For 2013-2014, the ELA goal was achieved, while the Math goal was not. Broad Meadows is proud of the growth and the team approach that allow3ed for student growth increases for many grade aggregate and subgroups. There was growth in proficient or advanced performance and for those students in the Needs Improvement category as they move closer to proficiency.

Broad Meadows’ schedule was adjusted for this school year to allow additional time for foundational mathematics skills instruction using alternate strategies. Teachers are working on how to assist students who are struggling, but not on IEPs. Mr. Gilbert is very proud of the Broad Meadows staff and the community. Multiple generations of families have attended Broad Meadows and feel strong connections to the school.

Mr. Bregoli asked if DDMs have been used to assist in assessing student progress. Mr. Gilbert said they have been administered as pilots, but he is looking at other diagnostic assessment tools, especially for the LDC students.

Broad Meadows Middle School’s goals for 2014-2015 are: (1) students will demonstrate a growing understanding of increasingly complex text. This will be evident by an increase of 2% overall on the school-wide average percent correct with additional focus on Key Ideas and Details and constructed response as measured by the Spring 2015 MCAS Standards Report (using the base of 64.3% correct). (2) Students will demonstrate an increased ability to persevere and use reasoning to solve increasingly complex math tasks. This will be evident by an increase of 2% on the school-wide average percent correct overall, with additional focus on Statistics and Probability and the Number System as documented on the Spring 2015 Math MCAS Standards report (from a base of 59.3% correct). (3) To promote healthy lifestyles for our students and staff by encouraging physical activity and proper nutrition.

Ms. Isola thanked all of the principals and said the SIPs give a great picture of the individual middle schools. Ms. Isola said that the data is one part of the picture and agrees with Mr. Bregoli that MCAS is a narrow way of looking at students and a school. Ms. Isola asked principals if they had a wish list, what would be one thing that could make a difference in student achievement at each school. Mr. Gilbert said that even though each school has individual demographics, there are common needs. He said that a diagnostic tool would allow for more timely assessment of students before MCAS data is available. Ms. Isola said state-wide the dip in achievement, especially in Mathematics, is apparent. The middle school population faces so many developmental issues.

Ms. MacNeil said that looking at each student individually is important, the current favorable class size is really beneficial to all students. The personal interaction that makes each student feel known is the key. Ms. Barrett said that from a technology standpoint, additional opportunities for exposure and engagement. Dr. Franceschini said that Sterling's students taking the PARCC online were very engaged and he would like to see a computer for every student.

Ms. Isola said thinking about the social development, what can they do to enhance parent involvement. Do you find there is a level of engagement and multiple opportunities for parents to participate. Mr. DeCristofaro said piggybacking events, like the art show, the chorus, and band concerts increased participation. Mr. Gilbert said that maybe more targeted events that are for groups of families. Ms. MacNeil said some parents struggle with their own comfort level from being at school. Ms. Isola said the gatekeepers, those that answer the phone or door are very important in making parents feel welcomed to the school community.

Mr. Bregoli said from his own Junior High School experience, he hopes teachers realize how important they are to students on a daily basis. With all the pressures on teachers, wouldn’t want them to lose sight of the value of this contact. Dr. Franceschini said that teachers like to hear this reinforcement of their importance of them to their students. Mr. Bregoli said the teachers may not see the difference in the short term, but it does make a difference during these important transitional years.

Mrs. Hubley asked about Science Fairs and whether all grades participate at all schools. At Atlantic and Broad Meadows, all grades complete Science projects, but the Science Fair is for Grade 8 students only. At Sterling, Grades 5 and 8 complete Science Fair projects; at Point Webster, Grades 7 and 8 complete Science Fair projects. At Central, all grades have the opportunity to complete Science Fair projects.

Mrs. Hubley made a motion to approve the Atlantic, Broad Meadows, Central, Point Webster, and Sterling School Improvement Plans. Mrs. Mahoney seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.

Mrs. Hubley made a motion to adjourn the Teaching & Learning Subcommittee meeting at 4:45 pm. Mrs. Mahoney seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.