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M.L. Professional Studies Committee
Minutes from meeting of 10/20/2005
Connecticut Association of SchoolsMiddle Level Professional Studies Committee
October 20, 2005
Minutes
In attendance were: Carole Alvaro, Fred Baruzzi, Sue Dumas, Jeff Fournier, Diane Hartman Chesley, David Pearson, Ann Richardson, David Russell, James Slattery ,David Telesca, Ralph White and Earle Bidwell
Because these minutes contain benchmark numbers for internal use, and the possibility exists that one or more schools named may not be granted “exemplary practice” status, these minutes should be circulated among committee members only and not shared with the general public.
1. A roundtable discussion on critical issues conducted by Chairperson Richardson elicited the following:
• School Improvement Plans that go beyond the page (core beliefs, vision, process for involving all stakeholders;
• Bullying
• Benchmark Assessment
• Data Driven Decision-making
• Implications of the new “March Madness” (Mastery Testing)
• Use of Technology
• Expectations for incoming students (school climate and norms)
• Differentiated Teaching
• Building Leadership Capacity among Teachers
• Closing the Achievement Gap
The issues identified above can form the raw materials for future committee work.
2. Exemplary Practice: Climate
After a review of the self-assessment documents and considerable discussion, the committee established a minimum score for moving applicants to the next level. The score of 99 represents 80% of the total points possible and 90% of the average benchmark score. That number will be used internally and not be publicized.
Three schools submitted applications for certification. All three exceeded the minimum qualifying number and will receive site visits. The visiting committees are:
• Sage Park Middle School: Jim Slattery (chair), Ann Richardson, Ralph White and alternate Sue Dumas
• Suffield Middle School: Carole Alvaro (chair) Dave Pearson, Ralph White and alternate Jim Slattery
• Eastern Middle School: Diane Hartman Chesley (chair), Jeff Fournier, Dave Pearson and alternate ??
Each chair will contact committee members, arrange for pre-visit meeting or conference call and contact the schools to arrange visits. All information will be relayed back to the CAS office.
A review of the process yielded the following:
• Earle will call the three schools and send a follow-up letter outlining the expectations for the visits;
• The chairs will convene their visiting committees and determine assignments for the visits;
• The chairs will then call and schedule the visits;
• Chairs should submit an expense report to CAS so that visitors can be reimbursed for mileage and for a lunch allowance at the rate established by CAS Board policy.
• At the meeting following the visits, the chair will give a brief report to the full committee who will then vote to extend or withhold certification. Schools will be notified of the outcome
3. Impact: Focus Topic “Closing the Achievement Gap” tabled to next meeting
4. Assistant Executive Director’s Report: earle reported on the Leadership conference moving to January, the winter conference at the Hartford Convention Center and a new initiative with Southern CT State University to place Students of secondary school education in CAS middle schools for observations
5. Next Meeting Date: November 17, 2005
