Minutes
Quincy, Massachusetts – October 19, 2016
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
Regular Meeting
A regular meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday,
October 19, 2016 at the Coddington Building. The Superintendent called the
roll and present were Mr. James DeAmicis, Mrs. Kathryn Hubley,
Ms. Barbara Isola, Mayor Thomas Koch, Mrs. Emily Lebo, Mrs. Anne Mahoney,
and Mr. Paul Bregoli, Vice Chair.
Vice-Chair Presiding
Also present were: Dr. Richard DeCristofaro, Secretary; Ms. Laura Owens,
Clerk; Ms. Sarah Anderson, Ms. Roberta DiTullio, Mr. Michael Draicchio, Mr.
James Mullaney, Deputy Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Mrs. Maura Papile,
Mrs. Erin Perkins, Ms. Madeline Roy, Mr. Keith Segalla; Quincy Education
Association President Allison Cox; North Quincy High School Student
Representative Nicole Flora; Quincy High School Student Representative
Owen Doherty; Citywide Parent Council Co-President Scott Alessandro; and
QPAC Board members Debby Nadbstedt and Cassandra Beck.
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There was a moment of silence for Susan Lahive Columbus, North Quincy
High School graduate and Quincy Public Schools bus driver for over 30 years.
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Regular Meeting Minutes Approved
10.5.16
Mayor Koch made a motion, seconded by Ms. Isola, to approve the Regular
Meeting minutes for October 5, 2016. On a voice vote, the ayes have it.
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Open Forum
Ed Grogan, spoke about diversity and respect, noting the national conversation on
school mascots, requested that School Committee look at both sides of the North
Quincy High School mascot issue and be more transparent about the effect on
students.
Scott Alessandro spoke on behalf of the positive benefits of the diversity & respect
initiative presented at the last meeting. Spoke in favor of discussing the
appropriateness of the North Quincy High School mascot image and name.
Ms. Cassandra Beck spoke about traffic flow issues at Snug Harbor Community
School, would like to meet and work through the issue.
Ms. Sherry Noble asked to be heard at Open Forum; Mr. Bregoli objected on the
grounds that Ms. Noble is not a Quincy resident.
Ms. Isola made a motion to allow Ms. Noble to speak at Open Forum. The motion
was seconded by Mr. DeAmicis. On a roll call vote, the ayes have it 5-2, Mayor
Koch and Mr. Bregoli voted NO.
Ms. Noble requested a dialogue about the North Quincy High School mascot; as a
Weymouth resident, she is concerned about visiting students being exposed to the
image.
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Superintendent's
Report
Dr. DeCristofaro opened the Superintendent’s Report by recognizing State
Representative Bruce Ayers for his support of Quincy Public Schools through
the Read to Ride program. Representative Ayers has long been a Quincy
School~Community Partner, presenting students at the elementary level new
bikes in recognition of summer reading accomplishments. Representative
Ayers said that he enjoys the opportunity to give students positive recognition
and has noticed the effect of modeling the benefits of reading for younger
students. Mayor Koch thanked Representative Ayers and the entire Quincy
delegation for their support of Quincy Public Schools through Chapter 70
funding and support of the Massachusetts School Building Authority.
The Professional Educator Status Reception was held last week and over 40
Quincy Public Schools staff members achieved this status. On November 3, 90
recipients of Educator Mini-Grants will be recognized at a reception at the
Neighborhood Club.
Dr. DeCristofaro reminded School Committee that there will be no school on
Election Day, November 8 and that school will also be closed on Friday,
November 11 in observation of Veterans Day.
On November 19 at noon, the former Teel Field will be dedicated in memory of
the Creedon Family. Mayor Koch noted that there will be other dedications
within the field and that invitations will be forthcoming.
Grade 8 Open House events are being held at both high schools: Quincy High
School on October 25 and North Quincy High School on October 27. The High
School College Fair was held on October 13 at Quincy High School, with over 80
colleges and universities represented. Thanks to both guidance departments,
the Quincy High School culinary department and the high school principals,
assistant principals, and deans for organizing this event.
Once again, over 700 Grade 3 students will receive dictionaries courtesy of a
donation from the Quincy Lodge of Elks.
On Wednesday, October 19 Nobel Laureate Dr. Sheldon Glashow, 1979 Laureate
in Physics, will speak to 100 invited students from both high schools. There
will be a second visit from a different Nobel Laureate in the winter before the
Science Fair. Thanks to Eric Mason from the Mayor’s Office and Dr. Ed Shapiro
of the Nobel Laureates School Visits program.
Parent Academy events are underway; this week is the Dual Enrollment nights
at both high schools: North Quincy High School on October 18 and Quincy High
School on October 20.
Sterling Middle School’s annual Veterans Day assembly will be held on
Thursday, November 10 at 1:00 pm in the DePaulo Auditorium.
In response to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s
request for a decision about MCAS testing for Grades 4 and 8, Quincy Public
Schools has opted for computer-based testing.
Water analysis at all schools is underway. Final results for all schools will be
posted as soon as they are available, along with any action items to be
addressed.
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New Business
Superintendent’s
Summative
Self-Evaluation
Superintendent DeCristofaro presented his Summative Review/Reflection on
goals approved in December 2014 for the 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 school years.
Dr. DeCristofaro said these goals were focused on two standards: Instructional
Leadership and Family & Community Engagement, but all overlap with the other
two standards of Management & Operation and Professional Culture.
Superintendent’s Goal 1: Quincy Public Schools Administrative Evaluation.
Superintendent’s Leadership and Principal Team members follow the same cycle
of Self-Evaluation, Goal Setting, Self-Evaluation, and Summative Evaluations. For
professional staff and Superintendent’s Leadership Team members, the cycle
follows the school year, from September to June. For Principals, since data is
available in August, their Summative Evaluations follow in October.
Superintendent’s Goal 2: Improvement of Performance, Effectiveness, and Learning.
This goal focused on raising the Average Percent Correct by 1% for all tested
grades for English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science.
For ELA, All Students, the goal was met for Grades 3, 4, 6, and 7. For Students with
Disabilities, the goal was met for Grades 3, 4, 6, and 7; for English Language
Learners, the goal was met for Grades 3, 6, 7, and 8; for Economically
Disadvantaged, the goal was met for Grades 3, 4, 6, and 7.
For Mathematics, the goal was met for All Students in Grades 4, 5, 6, and 8. For
Students with Disabilities, the goal was met for Grades 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10; for
English Language Learners, the goal was met for Grades, 4, 6, and 8. There was a
significant drop for Grade 7, which will be closely analyzed and targeted
instruction as needed. For Economically Disadvantaged Students, the goal was
met for Grades 4, 5, 6, and 8.
For Science, the goal was met for All Students in Grade 10; for Students with
Disabilities, in Grade 5; for English Language Learners, in Grades 8 and 10; and
Economically Disadvantaged, in Grade 5.
DESE Accountability level analysis showed the change since 2010, when there
were seven Level 3 schools to 2016, there are two Level 3 schools in the Quincy
Public Schools. The overall school district level is 3.
Superintendent/School Committee Goal 1: Quincy Public Schools District
Improvement Plan. Dr. DeCristofaro reviewed the Improvement Cycle for each
school year, the District Improvement Plan components: Curriculum &
Assessment Plan; School & Program Improvement Plans; Professional
Development Plan; Technology Plan; Annual Budget Book; Annual System
Progress Report; System Team Organization; and Educator Evaluation.
The structure of Quincy Public Schools is based on distributive and contributory
leadership and the team structure allows for development of educator leaders.
Participation at all levels of the school district ensures that all staff are invested in
the initiatives and direction of the school district. For 2014-2015, significant team
initiatives were undertaken by the Cabinet Council team to work together on
curriculum alignment and differentiation; the Quincy Education Association &
Quincy Public Schools Educator Evaluation Work Group; and the Digital Learning
team. For 2015-2016, Dr. DeCristofaro highlighted the Personnel Team, the High
Needs ELL Team, Advanced Pathways, and the School Committee Connections to
the District Improvement Plan.
For Initiatives, Dr. DeCristofaro highlighted that for 2014-2015 initiatives
included the District-Determined Measures; Aspen implementation; the Alliance
for a Healthier Generation; Special Education Math Reteach; Substance Abuse
Awareness; new Sterling Middle School project with the MSBA; Beyond the Bell;
Summer Curriculum Development & Professional Development; and MSBA
window and door replacement projects. In 2015-2016, significant new initiatives
include Aesop online substitute system, piloting Next Generation Assessments,
Rapid Reset for Sterling, Bernazzani, and Snug Harbor; Pre-Kindergarten Models
of Instruction; Understanding Dyslexia; and a review of School Enrollment &
District Boundaries. In the arts, expansion of opportunities for instrumental and
choral music and art continued. School~Community Partnership activities have
continued to expand with the Elementary & Middle School Robotics Challenge and
the Grade 5 Student Council Leadership Summit.
For Superintendent/School Committee Goal 2: Home-School Connections, in
addition to the Parent Academy Events on Internet Safety, Elementary Report
Cards, the new SAT, Welcome to Kindergarten, Middle School Organization Skills,
and Brain Boosters for Breaks, QPS has the annual Fall Gathering where staff
members bring food items for local food banks. Examples of family newsletters
and online communication through Facebook and Twitter, the Farm to School
family event were shared.
For Superintendent/School Committee Goal 3: Common Core Standards
Implementation, Dr. DeCristofaro reviewed the achievements from 2014-2015 and
2015-2016 to work towards this implementation, including (add information
from Maddy’s slides)
Next steps are for School Committee to complete their Summative Evaluation by
November 2 and for Superintendent DeCristofaro to draft goals for 2016-2017 to
share at the November 9 School Committee meeting.
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New Business
Curriculum &
Assessment Team Goals
for 2016-2017
Senior Curriculum Director Madeline Roy, Special Education Director Erin Perkins,
and Coordinator of Middle & High School Special Education Sarah Anderson
presented the Curriculum & Assessment Management Team goals for 2016-2017.
In September and October, DESE releases an enormous amount of data which is
disaggregated and analyzed by principals, directors, and coordinators. Education
is in a constant state of change and alignment; since 2010, there are new
standards for ELA, Mathematics, and now Science. Our staff has been phenomenal
in creating meaningful instruction to meet the needs of all learners in light of all of
these changes. In terms of Assessments, there have been more changed with the
PARCC field tests in 2014, the option of choosing PARCC or MCAS for 2015 and
2016, and the decision to implement MCAS 2.0 for 2017.
School Committee’s support has been critical, especially in terms of funding for
curriculum materials to support the Common Core standard implementation.
Over $1,000,000 has been allocated over three fiscal years. Digital tools that
enhance student learning have become more important each year.
Mrs. Perkins and Ms. Roy reviewed the QPS performance on 2016 MCAS
Assessments for All Students and High Needs Students for ELA and Mathematics.
In looking at the three years, 2014, 2015, and 2016, the data is comparing scores
on three different tests and different sets of standards. For all ELA, all grades,
gains were made for all students, students with disabilities, English Language
Learners, but not High Needs Students as a group. For Mathematics, all grades, no
groups met the 1% increase in Average Percent Correct goal. For Science, all
students and English Language Learners met the goal.
In terms of proficiency, the percentage of Non-High Needs students scoring
Proficient or Advanced on the ELA MCAS stayed constant at 100%; all subgroups
dropped. For Mathematics and Grade 10 Biology, both Non-High Needs students
and all subgroups showed an increase in the percentage of students scoring
Proficient or Advanced.
Ms. Anderson shared her work with the Middle School teachers on Math and
Science, helping them to make sense of the data and reports available to inform
their instruction. Reports by standard show where students have mastered
concepts and may need more support. Detail about every test item is available to
allow teachers to adjust their pacing, determine grouping by skill and enrichment
needs. Sample questions are available to help teachers model solving different
types of problems and define academic vocabulary. Crosswalk documents assist
with defining for teachers the skills that have moved between grade levels and in
defining the standards.
Ms. Roy reviewed next steps as we continue to adjust to more changes ahead.
Schools and Programs are creating their Improvement Plans for presentation this
month and next. The Curriculum & Assessment Management Team meets
monthly; at tomorrow’s meeting the focus will be a forum on Next Generation
Assessments and the likely look of MCAS 2.0. Preparations for computer-based
testing for Grades 4 and 8 students are underway and collaboration on creating a
plan for parent engagement though Parent Academies.
Mrs. Lebo thanked the presenters for the comprehensive and informative
presentation. Mrs. Lebo said since DESE has not determined how accountability
will be computed in 2017, it is difficult to set goals for the CAMT, Superintendent,
or individual schools. Mrs. Lebo said there is so much data, appreciates all the
work the team does to assist the schools.
Mrs. Mahoney pointed out that by looking at grade level data, these are different
students each year. If you follow the grade level cohort year by year, the
performance is pretty consistent, not large gains or losses. Mrs. Mahoney said the
drilling down into the question types to inform instruction is a good practice. It is
difficult for parents to look beyond individual scores and see that the district as a
whole is doing well. Mrs. Perkins said a few years ago, there was a Parent
Academy on reading test reports, maybe this is worth repeating. Mrs. Mahoney
said parents are most often concerned when the student does well in school, but
not on MCAS. Mrs. Perkins said this could be a presentation done at Citywide and
school-based PTOs.
Mrs. Mahoney asked for clarification that teachers’ use of Aspen for curriculum
mapping is as a document sharing tool, so parents cannot access this. Ms. Roy said
at the high school level, the course syllabi represent these curriculum maps. Mrs.
Mahoney wanted to emphasize that the Accountability levels do not accurately
represent the quality of our schools.
Ms. Isola thanked the presenters, the complex data is analyzed and shared in so
many ways. While standardized tests are important on one level, there are many
ways of assessing students, communication between students, parents, and
teachers is so important. This is just one snapshot of student achievement.
Mr. Bregoli thanked the presenters and reiterated that the grade level
comparisons are different student cohorts. Would like to see more analysis of
student cohorts, feels this is a better way to look at achievement. Ms. Roy said the
principals agree and the color coding in the Superintendent’s presentation shows
that cohort information. Mr. Bregoli echoed the general frustration with MCAS
and the impact on student learning time.
Mrs. Lebo would like to focus on Student Growth Percentile as an indicator of
student progress.
Mrs. Mahoney requested a presentation on Curriculum mapping on Aspen, so
School Committee can better understand the teachers’ process.
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New Business
Out of the Country
Travel
Ms. Isola made a motion to approve the Out of the Country travel of Quincy High
School to the Netherlands and France from April 14 to 23, 2017. The motion was
seconded by Mayor Koch and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
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Communications
Upcoming meetings were announced: School Committee on November 9, 2016, at
6:30 pm at the Coddington Building. On December 7, 2016, the School Committee
meeting will be held at Central Middle School at 6:00 pm.
Upcoming Subcommittee meetings were announced: Policy on October 24, 2016,
following the Teaching & Learning SIP & PIP presentations. Teaching & Learning
will hear Middle School SIPs November 2, 2016 and Elementary School SIPs on
November 15, 2016 and November 16, 2016. Special Education will meet on
October 26, 2016 at 6:00 pm. Budget & Finance Subcommittee will meet on
November 14, 2016 at 5:00 pm, followed by the Facilities & Security
Subcommittee at 5:30 pm.
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Additional Business
Ms. Isola noted that on October 6, the QCAP Best Chefs competition was held.
Once again, Quincy High School Culinary students assisted and were phenomenal.
The students had the opportunity to interact with professional chefs and in
previous years, this has led to positions.
Mrs. Mahoney requested the following items be added to upcoming School
Committee agendas for referral to Subcommittee: Snug Harbor Traffic for Health,
Safety, Transportation; MCAS 2.0 Computer-Based Testing for Teaching &
Learning; and North Quincy High School Mascot for Policy.
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Adjournment
Mrs. Hubley made a motion to adjourn for the evening at 8:45 p.m. The motion
was seconded by Ms. Isola and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.