November 17, 2008 – 7:30p.m.
Attendance
Board members in attendance: Mr. Tom Nida, Chair; Dr. Dora Marcus; Mr. Will Marshall;
Ms. Josephine Baker, Ex-Officio and Secretary
Board members excused: Mr. Brian Jones
The board meeting was called to order at 7:30p.m. by Mr. Tom Nida.
Approval of Agenda
The agenda was approved without changes.
Approval of August Meeting Minutes
The October meeting minutes were approved.
Acknowledgement of Elected Officials
Mr. Tom Nida invited elected officials to stand and be acknowledged; there were none present.
Contracts Reviewed
Mr. Tom Nida reported on contracts reviewed over $25,000.00, which were approved by the Finance Committee. Dr. Dora Marcus made the motion to accept the report as presented. Mr. Will Marshall seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. (Mrs. Josephine Baker voted by proxy for Mr. Brian Jones).
School Committee
Status Report – Request to Amend Charter
Next Step Public Charter School
PCSB staff member Mr. Corey Carter stated that the PCSB staff received no additional information or feedback regarding Next Step Public Charter School’s request to amend its charter. Mr. Will Marshall made the motion to approve the amendment. Dr. Dora Marcus seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. (Mrs. Josephine Baker voted by proxy for Mr. Brian Jones).
Accountability Plan
Howard University PCS -Middle School (MS) 2
School Representation Present: Ms. Marie Johns, Board Chair; Ms. Maybelle Taylor-Bennett, Board Member; Mr. Ronald Williams, Director; Ms. Sue White, Head of School
PCSB staff member, Ms. Susan Miller reported that Howard University Middle School requested to change the status of its draft Accountability Plan from conditional to fully approved. Ms. Miller noted that the PCSB granted conditional status pending establishment of baseline data, annual and five-year targets.
Ms. Susan Miller indicated that (MS)2 submitted an accountability plan for the 2006 through 2010 school years. The school proposed six academic performance objectives that focus on reading, mathematics, and science and attainment of Individualized Education Plan (IEP) objectives and targets that demonstrate annual improvement in each area. In addition to the two mandated targets related to the DC CAS non-academic performance objectives include targets related to attendance, parent satisfaction, and extra curricular activities in science and mathematics.
Ms. Josephine Baker questioned the rationale for determining the targeted percentage for attaining IEP 5th year goals. Ms. Sue White explained the new strategies to attain IEP goals and stated considering the strategies, the increase from 20-35 percent is a reasonable and realistic target. Dr. Dora Marcus made the motion to grant full approval of the accountability plan. Mr. Will Marshall seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. (Mrs. Josephine Baker voted by proxy for Mr. Brian Jones).
Accountability Plan
Septima Clark PCS
School Representation Present: Ms. Jenny DuFresne, Founder & Head of School
PCSB staff member, Ms. Marissa Mikoy reported that Septima Clark PCS has submitted a final draft of its revised accountability plan and requests conditional approval. Ms. Mikoy stated non-academic performance objectives include targets related to attendance, parent satisfaction, and school initiated home visits. She stated that Septima Clark also includes a performance objective that promotes positive student behavior as evidenced by a target that captures student satisfaction through their House System. Baseline data has been established for four of the eight academic targets and two of the four non-academic targets. Baseline data will be captured for two of the academic targets this year and in Spring 2010 for the remaining two (DC CAS). Baseline data for the two non-academic targets will be captured in the Spring of 2009.
Dr. Dora Marcus questioned the limitations of Core Knowledge as it relates to cultural values and social barriers. Ms. Jenny Dufresne explained the implementation of Core Knowledge and how it correlates with the social services and science aspect. Ms. Josephine Baker asked about the use of SAT 10 for grades K-2. Ms. Dufresne stated that the SAT 10 is a timed assessment for grades K-2. She indicated that the use of the data would drive success. Mr. Will Marshall asked about the number of students enrolled. Ms. Jenny Dufresne reported that student enrollment is 96 with a waiting list. Discussion followed regarding student enrollment and the impact of adding a grade level each year as it pertains to facilities and co-location.
Dr. Dora Marcus made the motion to approve conditionally the accountability plan. Mr. Will Marshall seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. (Mrs. Josephine Baker voted by proxy for Mr. Brian Jones). Dr. Dora Marcus stated that full approval will be granted once satisfactory targets and baseline data are met for the remaining performance objectives.
Accountability Plan
Children’s Studio PCS
School Representation Present: Mr. Michael Clarke, Board Chair; Ms. Tracie Jenkins, Director; Mr. Rashid Johnson, Director of Academics and School Operations
PCSB staff member, Dr. Sean Coleman reported that Childern’s Studio PCS submitted a final draft of its accountability plan and is requesting conditional approval. Dr. Coleman stated that the academic targets address problem solving through the arts, and reading and math proficiency. The non-academic targets address attendance, parent involvement, and parents’ school satisfaction and student constructive and social interactions. Dr. Sean Coleman questioned the rationale for annual and five year non-academic targets in DC-CAS reading and math and IEP progress for special needs students.
Discussion was held regarding the low projections of the percentage of proficiency on the DC-CAS testing. Dr. Dora Marcus questioned the slow process of goals of the annual and five-year targets from 3 % to only 15%. Mr. Thomas Nida stressed that AYP is the governing factor in reporting progress and that the projection of the percentage of proficiency is too low. Following discussion, Mr. Thomas Nida deferred the request for conditional approval. The PCSB is requesting that the school provide stronger annual goals, baseline and five-year targets to be able to better track AYP performance.
Accountability Plan
MM Bethune Day Academy PCS
School Representation Present: Dr. Linda McKay, Executive Director
Staff member, Ms. Taishya Adams reported that MM Bethune Day has submitted a final draft of its proposed accountability plan and is requesting conditional approval. The academic program involves a parentally supportive parentally and diverse learning environment to enable each student to achieve academic success, talent, and positive social development. Bethune also offers a half-day language immersion program for primary grade students in Pre-K through 2nd grade. These academic performance objectives are measured by the state assessment and internal assessments. Non-academic performance objectives address attendance, character development, as well as parent and teacher satisfaction.
Bethune has established targets and collected baseline data in SY 2006-2007 for 4 out of 7 academic performance objectives and 1 out of 4 non-academic performance objectives. Targets and baseline data for the remaining performance objectives will be established in Spring 2009. Discussion was held regarding foreign language measurements and its relationship to the national standards for judging measurements of performing arts and music. Dr. Dora Marcus made the motion to approve conditionally the accountability plan. Mr. Will Marshall seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. (Mrs. Josephine Baker voted by proxy for Mr. Brian Jones). Dr. Dora Marcus stated that full approval will be granted once satisfactory targets are established for those measures where baseline data does not currently exist.
Accountability Plan
City Collegiate PCS
School Representation Present: Mr. Anthony Cavanna, Board Chair; Dr. Mark Reford, Head of School
Staff member, Dr. Jackie Boddie reported that City Collegiate has submitted a final draft of its proposed accountability plan and is requesting conditional approval. The school proposes using indicators to determine proficiency in reading, numeracy, social studies, as well as science concepts and processes. In addition to the two mandated targets related to the DC CAS, City Collegiate will administer internal assessments to measure academic performance of students in each identified content area. Non-academic performance objectives include targets related to attendance and to parent participation in school-related events and activities. Baseline data will be established for science and social studies academic targets during the 2008-2009 school year. Baseline internal assessment data for reading, language, and mathematics numeracy were established in the 2007 – 2008 academic year based on the NWEA Measures of Academic Progress. The Baseline data for attendance has been established based on the 2006-2007 attendance report.
Dr. Dora Marcus asked that the school give more detail regarding the strategic of the advisory period as an indicator for achievement. Mr. Mark Reford stated that he advisory period composes two aspects 1) assessment of functional skills in curriculum development, and 2) various aspects of behavior impact and student interaction. Mr. Reford explained that the advisory period would assist in identifying early warning signs, student development, and feedback. Mr. Will Marshall asked the school for clarification of their strategy of attainment to adopt a school wide behavior management policy. Mr. Anthony Cavanna stated that the policy is being adopted to develop consistent in-house discipline codes, rules, and regulations distinctive to the individual student need.
Dr. Dora Marcus made the motion to approve conditionally the accountability plan. Mr. Will Marshall seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. (Mrs. Josephine Baker voted by proxy for Mr. Brian Jones). Dr. Dora Marcus stated that full approval will be granted once satisfactory targets are established for those measures where baseline data does not currently exist.
Accountability Plan
Options PCS
School Representation Present: Dr. Charles Vincent, Chief Operating Officer; Ms. Laura Loessner, NCLB Liaison
Staff member, Ms. Carolyn Trice reported that Options PCS has submitted a final draft of its proposed accountability plan and is requesting conditional approval. Option’s non-academic performance objectives include targets related to attendance, parent and student satisfaction, and increased parental participation. Additionally, Options includes performance objectives that promote positive student behavior as evidenced by a target that focuses on an annual decrease in the student suspension rate. Baseline data was established for nine out of 12 targets during the 2007-2008 school year, with baseline for the three remaining targets to be established in 2008-2009. Baseline data was reported in the Annual Report in September 2008 and targets will be negotiated with PCSB thereafter.
Discussion was held regarding the large volume of suspensions and what action is being taken by the school to reduce the numbers. Ms. Laura Loessner noted that out of 319 students, 76% are Special Education students with 50% at Level IV. Ms. Loessner further stated that in an effort to increase productivity, the school has hired a Dean of Students and a licensed professional Counselor. They have also implemented training crisis intervention and peer mediation with the help of an expanded behavioral staff. Mr. Will Marshall suggested that the school increase family participation through a targeted outreach and include parental involvement in clinical studies and social services training.
Mr. Will Marshall made the motion to approve conditionally the accountability plan. Dr. Dora Marcus seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. (Mrs. Josephine Baker voted by proxy for Mr. Brian Jones). Dr. Dora Marcus stated that full approval would be granted once satisfactory targets are established for all measures.
Accountability Plan
St. Coletta PCS
School Representation Present: Ms. Janice Corazza, Principal; Ms. Nikia Lewis, Director of Instruction
Ms. Carolyn Trice reported that St. Coletta PCS has submitted a final draft of its proposed accountability plan and is requesting conditional approval. The school proposes using indicators to determine academic growth in reading, math, and science as measured by the DC CAS alternate assessment. In addition to the DC CAS targets, the school also assesses mastery of IEP objectives through the St Coletta IEP Management Tool. St. Coletta’s non-academic performance objectives include targets related to increasing teachers and Para-professionals competency level in the school’s functional life skills curriculum and critical skill areas, vocational/career training for students, and increasing parent participation at school-sponsored trainings, school-wide activities, and parent conferences.
Discussion was held regarding internal assessment and indicators used to link to student levels. Further discussion was held about what appropriate IEP measurement tools are in place to critique and track individual student goals, trend data and yearly student progress. Dr. Dora Marcus made the motion to grant full approval of the accountability plan. Mr. Will Marshall seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. (Mrs. Josephine Baker voted by proxy for Mr. Brian Jones).
Public Comments
Mr. Nida opened the floor for public comments and there were none.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:38 p.m.