 |  |
M.L. Professional Studies Committee
Minutes from meeting of 4/3/2003
Connecticut Association of SchoolsProfessional Studies Committee
Minutes
April 3, 2003
In attendance were John Lineen, Ralph White, Ann Cox, Charles Hines, Diane Hartman Chesley, Sue Dumas, Laurie Slade, Tom Scarice and Earle Bidwell (Tom Scarice, Assistant Principal of DePaolo Middle School in Southington was welcomed to the committee)
1.0 Exemplary Practices - Teaming
1.1 Review Self Assessment Scoring Instrument
Because of weather cancellations of the last two meetings, some members of the committee had not seen the final version that was ultimately placed on the web site. It was noted that there were “look for” statements for each item and that each item was weighted to reflect its relative importance. Sue Dumas, principal of one of the benchmark schools reported that the task of filling out the application was rather difficult. She involved various teams in her building to ensure accuracy of the final scores.
1.2 Set preliminary standard for certification
With all four benchmark schools having completed their application, the committee discussed a preliminary level of achievement for certification based on the scores. Three of the self-assessment scores were within one point of each other with the fourth 15 points lower. It was concluded that the fourth school was probably overly critical of their accomplishments and conservative in their scoring. Earle Bidwell was asked by the committee to contact that school and determine how the scoring was done and if there are different ways of presenting the document that will reflect a more accurate score. The committee determined a minimum score for passing to the next level based on the benchmark scores. For obvious reasons, the minimum score will be known only to the committee members and will not be published.
1.3 Process for Certification
Applications from schools with appropriate initial scores will be reviewed by the committee to determine what documentation will be required to validate those initial scores. Documentation will be requested to be available for assessors during a site visit. The purpose of the site visit will be to validate the self-assessment by meeting with appropriate school personnel and students, and by reviewing the documentation. It is anticipated that a team of no less than two and no more than three will visit each school for approximately two hours. The visiting team will report back to the committee at large who will make a final determination on certification. The intent is to be inclusive and not exclusive. The committee was reminded that the purpose of the certification was to give recognition to as many schools with exemplary teaming practices as possible and not to recognize just the top one or two.
1.4 Plan Training for Assessors
Committee members who will serve as visiting assessors will visit two of the benchmark schools to establish a common ground for visiting. Committee members who are willing to visit are asked to notify Earle Bidwell on which of the following dates they would be available to visit (April 28, April 29, May 5, May 6, May 7) and respond via e-mail ASAP. It was determined that applications from the two schools to be visited would be scanned and faxed to visitors in advance to determine the necessary documentation.
2.0 Exemplary Practices – Next Step
2.1 Brainstorm Possible New Area for Consideration (tabled to the May 1 meeting)
3.0 “IMPACT”
3.1 Report on Next (Summer) Issue
To date, we have promises for articles from East Hartford and from Sagarese & Giannetti. and Parish Hill. We need at least 5 more articles by the middle lf May to make the next issue work. It was reported that CAS had a booth at NELMS and featured at the booth were copies of “IMPACT” and the video “What is a Good Middle School.” Booth representatives made a point of attracting potential authors for the journal.
Next Meeting: May 1, 2003
