The Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
Briefing for the December 18, 2018 Regular Meeting of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
The next regular meeting of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (Board) will be on Tuesday, December 18, 2018, at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's (Department) offices at 75 Pleasant Street in Malden. The regular meeting will start at 8:30 a.m. (coffee will be available at 8:00 a.m.) and should adjourn by 1:00 p.m. If you need overnight accommodations or any additional information about the schedule, please call Helene Bettencourt at (781) 338-3120.
Overview
The December meeting includes five topics, all for discussion (no votes). First, the Board will hear from teacher-leaders who are working with the Department to support state curriculum standards and high-quality instruction. The receivers for three chronically underperforming schools will present their progress reports. The Department and a panel of adult education students and educators will provide an overview of adult education in the Commonwealth. The Board will have an initial discussion of the report and recommendation on the Paulo Freire Social Justice Charter School, in connection with probationary conditions the Board imposed in January 2018. Finally, I will present a summary of feedback that the Department has received regarding our new accountability system.
Regular Meeting
Comments from the Chair
Comments from the Commissioner
Comments from the Secretary
The Chair, the Commissioner, and the Secretary will each brief the Board on current issues and activities.
Items for Discussion and Action
Teacher Leadership to Support Standards and Instruction — Discussion
We are pleased to highlight the work of teacher-leaders who are engaged with the Department to support teaching and learning through: revising the Arts Curriculum Framework, serving as Science/Technology/Engineering/Math (STEM) Ambassadors, and reviewing and rating curriculum materials. Senior Associate Commissioner Heather Peske, Associate Commissioner Ron Noble, and other staff members will join the panels of teachers for the discussion with the Board.
Update on Chronically Underperforming Schools: Receiver Presentations — Discussion
In October 2018, the Board received the first-quarter FY2019 reports on the four chronically underperforming schools: UP Academy Holland (UAH) and Paul A. Dever Elementary School (Dever) in Boston, Morgan Full Service Community School (Morgan) in Holyoke, and John Avery Parker Elementary School (Parker) in New Bedford. At our meeting on December 18, the receivers of UAH (UP Education Network), Dever (Michael Contompasis), and Parker (School & Main Institute, Inc.) will present their progress reports. (The Board will hear from Steve Zrike, receiver for Holyoke Public Schools and the Morgan School, in the spring.) Senior Associate Commissioner Russell Johnston and Lauren Woo, Director of the Office of Strategic Transformation, will join the school receivers at the meeting.
Adult Education: System Overview and Student/Educator Panel — Discussion
Although our discussions typically focus on K-12 education, state law also authorizes the Department to oversee adult education in the Commonwealth. At the December 18 meeting, Senior Associate Commissioner Cliff Chuang and Wyvonne Stevens-Carter, Acting State Adult Education Director, will present an overview of the Massachusetts adult education system and describe some specific initiatives. A panel of adult education students and educators, and representatives from the Board's Adult Education Advisory Council, will join the discussion.
Accountability System Feedback — Discussion
At the December 18 meeting, I will present a summary of feedback that the Department has received regarding our new accountability system. Senior Associate Commissioner Russell Johnston and Associate Commissioner Rob Curtin will be with us to answer your questions. We will continue the discussion of the accountability system at future Board meetings.
Other Items for Information
State Education Budget Transmittal Letter from the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
Enclosed is my memorandum to Secretary Peyser transmitting the Board's FY2020 state education budget priorities, per the Board's vote at last month's meeting.
Report on Grants Approved by the Commissioner
Enclosed is information on grants that I have approved since the last meeting, under the authority the Board has delegated to the Commissioner.
If you have questions about any agenda items, please call me. I look forward to seeing you at the meeting in Malden on December 18.