Minutes
Quincy School Committee
Teaching & Learning Subcommittee Meeting
Monday, February 23, 2015
A meeting of the Teaching & Learning Subcommittee was held on Monday, February 23, 2015 at 5:00
pm at the Coddington Building. Present were Mr. Paul Bregoli, Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, Mrs. Anne
Mahoney, Mr. David McCarthy, and Ms. Barbara Isola, Chair. Also attending were Superintendent
DeCristofaro, Deputy Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Mrs. Mary Fredrickson, Ms. Beth Hallett, Mrs.
Maura Papile, Mrs. Erin Perkins, Ms. Madeline Roy, Mr. Keith Segalla, Ms. Judy Todd; Ms. Allison Cox,
President of the Quincy Education Association; and Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk.
Ms. Isola called the Teaching & Learning Subcommittee to order at 5:00 pm and Director of Data &
Analysis Mary Fredrickson and Senior Director of Student Support Services Maura Papile presented
the Annual System Profile update, noting this District Improvement Plan component is updated and
posted on the website each year. Each School Committee member received a copy of the updated
Annual Profile and Mrs. Fredrickson reviewed highlights, including District Enrollment by Grade,
Special populations for ELL and Special Education, free/reduced lunch, low income, and First
Language Not English (FLNE) are detailed by school.
MCAS data was shared, showing that all QPS students and High needs students exceed state
performance level percentages, along with the median student growth percentile for all students and
high needs students exceeding state levels.
For indicators, we exceed the state’s attendance rates and are below the state level for dropout rate,
and both in and out of school suspension rates. Our four-year graduation rate dropped to below
state average, so the principals are looking at early interventions and alternate programs and we are
now tracking 5-year graduation rates. We consistently graduate another 2-3% of students with an
additional year of support. 82% of graduating students plan to attend 2- or 4-year colleges or
universities; 12% of students planned to go to work after graduating from high school, a large
increase over previous years.
Mrs. Papile reviewed high-risk referrals, a total of 131 students needing mental health assessments
across elementary, middle, and high school students. This number has been consistent over the last
five years. For the High Risk Child Abuse and Neglect, a total of 457 reports were filed or monitored.
For homeless students, currently there are 200 students, with the majority being high school
students, an increase of over 30 students from November.
Mrs. Mahoney asked if we track data for student transitions out of English Language Learners by
school; is there an average time that students spend in the program. Ms. Hallett said that there are five fluency levels and the average student would spend a year in each level. It depends on the grade
level of the student when they enter the program, younger students often progress faster.
Mr. Bregoli asked if there is an increase in the FLNE population at schools over last year and
requested to see this data presented historically. Mr. Bregoli asked about high school students
receiving ELL services at the high school level and Ms. Hallett reviewed that lower fluency students
receive specialized instruction in all curriculum levels as appropriate. Ms. Hallett said ELL classes
fulfill graduation requirements. Ms. Hallett said higher fluency students transition to regular
education classrooms much faster. Mr. Bregoli asked about 18- and 19-year old students and Ms.
Hallett said we are required to enroll students without high school diplomas and that ELL classes are
multi-grade 9-12 classes.
Mrs. Hubley asked for breakdown of homeless students by elementary, middle, and high school
students and Mrs. Papile will follow up with that information. Mrs. Mahoney noted the continuing
increase in free and reduced meal eligible students and asked for detail about students leaving the
school system and where they go.
Dr. DeCristofaro thanked Mrs. Fredrickson and Mrs. Papile for their work in updating the Annual
System Profile.
Mrs. Hubley made a motion to adjourn the Teaching & Learning Subcommittee meeting at 5:35 pm.
Mrs. Mahoney seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.