Cool (and Slightly Wonky) Education Discussion (2/9 Citywide PTO): Part 2 of 3

Second, here’s where it starts to get a little wonky (but really interesting):

(The district’s Glossary could be helpful: http://melroseschools.com/school-committee/agendas-and-minutes/glossary-instructional-terms/)

Competency Based Education (CBE) is a teaching and learning vision that the Supt. feels is very important for our district to explore. This is not the “tracking” of old; it’s a way to bring all students to mastery in each content area, but they won’t necessarily do that at the same pace for each of those content areas. It incorporates Universal Design for Learning (UdL) which is a framework of principles for curriculum development and is a significant change in the profession of teaching, to the point where teachers may worry that they won’t cover all the required material, or that letting students take a more active role in their own learning will result in poor student performance. Teachers are working hard at implementing this practice, and are gaining confidence in their own skills as they watch students own more responsibility for learning and achieve success as a result.

One consideration regarding implementing CBE is how to meet state requirements around District Determined Measures (DDM’s) that are measures of student learning, growth, and achievement, and in most districts (including Melrose) they come in the form of common assessments (i.e. measures of student learning that are the same across a grade level or course). Rather than using common assessments, CBE looks to UdL’s principle of Multiple Means of Expression (MME), meaning that students select from a teacher-driven list of ways to demonstrate their competence. (For example, students could take a test and/or present a portfolio and/or submit a journal, etc.) The “common” part is that all students must attain competency. In Melrose, a great deal of work has been done on the development of common assessments, and there is now better understanding and agreement among our educators about what competency means and looks like. That work built the foundation that allows the district to consider evolving to a CBE framework.

There is another, more technical question to work through, and that is related to DDM’s and their impact on the “student impact rating (SIR).” (A SIR is a state mandated determination of an educator’s impact on student learning, and is ultimately part of their performance evaluation. More info here: http://www.doe.mass.edu/edeval/sir/.) One element of the SIR is MCAS/PARCC, but only 17% of educators participate in those standardized tests the way the content areas and grades align with the testing, which is why the state required DDM’s in the first place. The good news is that the state may begin to back off DDM’s, to some extent because of the newly authorized federal education law called “Every Student Succeeds Act” (ESSA), which will incorporate “soft measures” of teachers’ impact on student learning (like graduation, attendance, and suspension rates; depression screening results; etc.). Superintendents agree that DDM’s should be used less, but because so much work has been done on them, it’s hard to just abandon them; but this potential shift may make it more likely that CBE could be implemented while still adhering to state regulations.

Data use remains an important element of ensuring that teaching and learning practices are effective. Melrose is fortunate to have a great data specialist, and we also have been able to take advantage of some free data consulting services; the consultant is working with the data specialist to employ the data we’ve collected even more effectively in the interest of improving student outcomes. The Supt. shared that “data is more about the quality of instruction [than an isolated reflection of a student’s performance].”

In sum, exploration of CBE should include navigating state regulations around measuring student performance, and then translating them within a framework that’s acceptable to the state in order to comply with regulations around educator evaluation (even as the federal government may begin to offer more flexibility in this area).

Supt. Taymore talked about CBE being an intersection of Understanding by Design (UBD), which is a curriculum mapping tool that focuses on teaching for understanding, and UdL, ultimately creating a Venn Diagram. Melrose teachers and administrators have spent a great deal of time and effort learning about these educational tools and practices, and also developing and using common assessments, raising standards, employing more rigor, supporting student centered learning, and using data to better instruct students. Last fall, Supt. Taymore held a public forum on CBE to gather community feedback, and following a positive response, the School Committee voted to authorize her to create a CBE Task Force to study the issues around implementing this type of vision in our schools. A Citywide PTO parent, who is a member of the Melrose CBE Task Force, stated that she is “so impressed with the level of expertise” in the group (which includes a variety of individuals with state, private foundation, and other significant credentials). Supt. Taymore believes that Melrose students deserve a chance at CBE, but there is much that the Task Force must explore to vet this significant a shift. She noted that it must be Melrose-based, not copied from another city or town. The Task Force has just started their work (they’ve met once), and will tentatively report their initial findings in late spring or summer.

Cool (and Slightly Wonky) Education Discussion (2/9 Citywide PTO): Part 1 of 3

Supt. Taymore led a veritable clinic on selected thoughts, hopes, and challenges for the district in today’s Citywide PTO meeting.

First the nuts and bolts:

·               The district is getting back on its feet after two snow days. The DPW did a great job!

·               PARCC vs. MCAS 2.0 testing: * Some of the questions are now available, but student results by question are not and may not be given that Pearson owns them, and Pearson is a business with their own business model. (And no one should forget that education is a business.) * The Commissioner has called for volunteers to help craft MCAS 2.0 and our representative will be Director of English Angela Singer. * There were many problems with PARCC (which is why the pencil/paper results were better than the same tests taken on computer), including the learning curve related to online testing (including lack of training time), computers crashed/froze due to hardware problems or bandwidth access, etc.

·               Executive Service Corps is a non-profit consultant who is working with Dr. Heather Josephson to plan changes to Education Stations that will make it sustainable and manageable (having grown from scratch to 700 students in six buildings).

·               Are you or someone you know interested in theater production? Mr. McCall, our Production Manager extraordinaire is retiring and a replacement is essential. Must be competent in sound, lighting, and props; and payment is on a per- production basis. If interested, please contact the Supt.

·               Athletic Director and Director of Health, Wellness, and PE Pat Ruggiero is retiring and our challenge is determining whether we can financially afford (and employ with required certifications), a replacement within that job configuration, or whether the position needs to be reconfigured. After that is determined, there will be a search committee to recommend a candidate (or candidates) to the Supt.

·               The Supt. opined, “This city has a tremendous amount of knowledgeable and skilled residents.” She gave as an example a recent survey done by Director of Science Jon Morris that showed that in his sample, 40% of Melrose parents work in the STEM field. They are giving their time at the High School’s Career Day, helping with grant opportunities, etc. She is also excited about the training opportunities for staff members who have been accepted into specialized programs in the STEM field (ref: the Announcements of the Supt. in tonight’s School Committee meeting packet). A Citywide PTO parent commented how excited MHS students get when someone working in the content area of a class comes in to talk about his/her work and how related student work is necessary for success in that field. Supt. Taymore indicated that students are good advocates for themselves, seeking ways to think about these opportunities. An elementary parent noted that she would like to see more parents in elementary classrooms talking about the same kinds of things.

Don't miss Part 2 of 3 on Competency Based Education - coming soon!

2016-2017 Fiscal Outlook for Massachusetts

Yesterday’s Massachusetts Association of School Business Manager’s (MASBO) February Bi-Monthly meeting featured a number of thoughtful presentations. In one session, Eileen McAnneny, President of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation (MTF), which she described as the “fiscal watchdog of the Commonwealth…making sure tax dollars are well spent…,” offered comments and opinions on recent fiscal history in Massachusetts as well as the Governor’s budget (House 2) for the coming year. Here are some highlights, along with links to today’s Globe article on S&P's comments regarding House 2 and the January MassBudget opinion on the fiscal outlook:

The FY15 budget gap was $1B midway through the year. Causes? Revenues weren’t coming in while spending continued. After Gov. Patrick’s budget reductions there was still exposure (capital gains coming in but had to go into stabilization acct. for more $, MassHealth and GIC insurance expenditures, etc.). How was the budget gap addressed? Through the tax amnesty program, and cutting MBTA contract assistance, MassHealth, etc. ($643M in reductions). Capital gains taxes “saved the day” because the statutory rule about putting excess into the rainy day fund was suspended. (But using one-time revenues for the operating budget – like diverting capital gains taxes – is a problem.)

In Fy16, the budget gap was $565M mid year. Why less than it could have been? Early retirement did not get the participation anticipated, tax revenues came in above projection, 9C cuts were taken, etc. But transfers (like to MBTA) are spending exposures that haven’t been taken into account.

The FY17 budget gap is projected at $700-900M. Use of one-time revenues is trending in the right direction ($1.2B in FY15, $629M in FY16).

EA’s point of information: Massachusetts disproportionately relies on income tax for revenue (about 60%). We are in year seven of economic recovery in what is usually a ten-year cycle, and we don’t have enough in the stabilization fund to prepare for the next downturn.

In the House 2 proposal, spending doesn’t exceed revenue. The Governor is trying to limit use of one-time money using different strategies (e.g. a capital gains diversion of $250M, down from the $629M noted above). There are notable changes to the budget in education and elsewhere. Concern: state spending doubled from FY00 to FY15. Much of that was due to increases in MassHealth (the cost has tripled, and enrollment jumped over 70%). When MA adopted healthcare reform (in 2006), Medicaid was expanded too. Has the socioeconomic status of residents changed? About 1/3 of residents are now on MassHealth. As long as MassHealth grows faster than overall revenue, it’s a burden on the financial health of the state.

Looking ahead: state tax revenue growth is expected to be relatively flat. We currently aren’t planning for potential economic downturn. Municipalities will have to absorb their shortfalls since the state doesn’t have a discretionary cushion. Other issues: unfunded pension liability and OPEB liabilities (currently funded as pay-as-you-go), which will be very sizeable (and state law determines much of this, so there are not a lot of tools to address it in the budget).

Q&A discussion:

The state’s ability to fund recommendations from the Foundation Budget Review Commission is not good since there is very limited discretionary income – things would have to be done very differently. Supts have said they’ve worked to save money by regionalizing, etc., but the issue is for the state to find savings through better use of technology/efficiencies, which takes time.

A pending state ballot initiative calls for a Constitutional amendment that establishes an additional 4% tax on that portion of income over $1M to be used for education and transportation. (MTF also questions MBTA financing, saying monies haven’t been well spent, and “that’s critically important” because the state provides $187M above what they get from the sales tax. If MBTA budget challenges are solved, we solve money problems for other line items.) By law, a ballot initiative can’t be used to make specific appropriations, so the money wouldn’t technically go to education and transportation, it would go to the General Fund and MTF is concerned. In polling, 70% of voters want this initiative, but when you tell people it might not be used for the intended purposes, favorability falls significantly. (My notes: This initiative is also called the “Fair Share Amendment.” MTF opposes. More info here: https://ballotpedia.org/Massachusetts_Income_Tax_for_Education_and_Transportation_Amendment_(2016).)

Globe: http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/02/04/bond-rating-agency-gives-baker-budget-thumbs/O2vbKZFBwHBa1jnEAmGNHO/story.html

MassBudget: http://massbudget.org/reports/pdf/FY17BudgetPreview_Final_1-21-2016.pdf

FY17 Budget Message, Foreign Students, Business Manager, Communication, Committee Activities, and More…

The School Committee met Tuesday night and reviewed a wide variety of topics. Most importantly, we began with a moment of silence in memory of MHS student Rob Davey who tragically died last week. Our hearts go out to his family, friends, and the MHS staff who cared so much about him.

In the Announcements of the Superintendent, we first reviewed the SEEM Annual Report. (Many of our special education students attend SEEM schools, and two former Melrose buildings are rented to them.) Supt. Taymore announced the resignation of Director of Finance and Administrative Affairs Jay Picone, effective in late April. She also noted that two Melrose educators, Tom Scudder and Josh Cristiano, have been asked to present at the Mass. Computer Using Educators conference. Finally, she indicated that a newly revised chain of command has been crafted and is on the web site under the student link, with the intention of “…guid[ing] anyone with a specific question to the correct source…[so that]…questions and concerns can be addressed promptly by the specific person who has direct responsibility…”

MHS Principal Farrell and Assistant Principal Fogarty shared that three students from Brazil are joining our student body until June. They are living with Melrose families and are very excited to be a part of our school family. Also in the area of Educational Programs and Personnel, Ms. Kourkoumelis offered the subcommittee’s beginning of year report.

In Finance and Facilities, the Mid-year Budget Update was provided, and Director of Finance Picone explained that he did not expect end-of-year budget overages as of this time. Legal bills that will come before the Committee in February for approval were summarized (as a point of information), broken down by type of expense and month. Supt. Taymore spoke to her interest in training staff on improving their communications, and has retained a consultant to perform that training, funding his work through some unexpected computer refunds from the state. (He has, and will continue to, help the district craft communications to the community that keep us informed in a more comprehensive and timely manner.) Finally, the Supt. provided her FY17 Budget Message, in which she outlined budget priorities in the areas of staffing, contractual obligations, curriculum resources, technology, professional development, transportation, and budget flexibility. She then outlined challenges in the areas of state and federal funding; city revenues; health insurance; enrollment changes; special education reimbursements from the state, programs, and services; English as a Second Language programming, training, and resources; state and federal mandates; anticipated curriculum changes (e.g. science and social-emotional learning); contractual obligations; and concerns about unknown possibilities (e.g. MCAS 2.0, data reporting requirements, etc.).

Two dates were added to the budget calendar: On Saturday, March 5^th from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., administrators will present their budgets and explain their recommendations. On Tuesday, March 15^th at 7:00, the Committee will convene a Budget Forum in which Supt. Taymore will address questions from the community about her recommended budget. Stay tuned for location info!

If you want to know the topics anticipated for future Committee meetings, please read the newly updated rolling agenda. Committee norms were discussed, and we expect to finalize them at our next meeting. Liaison assignments were announced, and reports were heard regarding the Competency Based Education Task Force, State Advocacy, and the Melrose Master Plan (Melrose Forward), which will hold a public forum on February 10^th at 7:00 at the Milano Center (with all welcome!).

Next meeting is Tuesday, February 9th at 7:00 in the Aldermanic Chamber of City Hall. The agenda and packet documents will be posted on Friday, February 5th. Anticipated topics at this time include a public hearing on school choice at Melrose Middle School, Campus Kids fees, and a technology update. 

2015 Melrose High School Graduation Rates

Graduation rates for the Commonwealth were released last week by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (info here: http://profiles.doe.mass.edu/state_report/gradrates.aspx) and Melrose students performed very well, with outstanding support from their families and Melrose High School staff. Here's how the numbers break out:

Year	# in	% Grad.	% Still	% Non-	% HS	% Dropped	% Grad
	Cohort	in 4 yrs.	in School	Complete*	Equiv.	Out	in 4 Yrs. Adj.**
2015	232	95.7	2.2	1.3	0	0.9	98.2
2014	233	96.1	1.3	0.4	1.3	0.9	97.7
2013	241	94.2	1.2	0.8	0.8	2.9	97.1
2012	273	94.1	2.6	0.4	0	2.9	97.0
2011	241	90.9	5.4	0.4	0	3.3	93.5
2010	236	93.6	4.2	0.8	0.4	0.8	96.1
2009	241	92.5	0.8	0.8	1.2	4.6	95.1
2008	238	89.9	2.5	2.5	0.8	4.2	93.5
2007	222	91.4	5.4	0	0.9	2.3	95.7
2006	255	93.3	3.1	2	0	1.6	95.6
	*Students who attain in a different way or  SPED students who reach the age of 22
	** Does not include transfers in

As noted in last year's post on the same topic, "there is always more to do of course. Male students consistently rank below female students in graduation rates as does our high needs population. The work that Superintendent Taymore talks about being done to ensure that all students have equal access to curriculum, and providing a variety of supports when students struggle is encouraging. As a society and community, we need to be thoughtful about the social, emotional, and behavioral challenges that cause our students to suffer academically, and address what we can in the context of school authority and ability."      Supt. Taymore will be discussing this information at the School Committee meeting of February 9th.

School Spotlight, MVMMS School Choice, Norms, AD Retirement, New Staff, MHS Class Funds, Subcommittee Assignments, MHS Coffee Invites and more!

Our first Committee meeting of the year was held this past Tuesday, January 12^th. We were delighted to welcome new members Liz DeSelm and Ed O’Connell to the Committee.

The meeting kicked off with our School Spotlight segment, featuring national Blue Ribbon winner Lincoln School. Staff members Ed Keenan, Jessica Patti, and Michael Oginski spoke to the award’s lengthy and substantive application process, the dedication of staff members who employed many evening and weekend hours to complete it, the reaction of staff upon learning of the award, and its presentation in Washington, D.C. Principal Allison Donovan noted that Lincoln is a school of 405 students speaking 24 languages, of whom 40% are designated by the state as “high needs.” Less than 1% of the nation’s schools earn this prestigious award.

Announcements of the Superintendent: Supt. Taymore announced an interest by MVMMS Principal Conway in exploring school choice in FY17, and the Committee voted to hold a public hearing on the matter on 2/9. The Supt. announced the significant work done by Horace Mann staff that resulted in improvement of their state academic standing from a Level 3 to a Level 2 school. She spoke to the district’s hosting of colleagues from England for their study of our high-quality science practices; the Museum of Science Gateway Partnership (that provides the district with enhancements in science teaching and learning); the rollout of technology purchased in the fall to support infrastructure, staff needs, and student work; receipt of an $8K grant from the state to continue quality work for high needs students being done at Horace Mann; and the addition to the Competency Based Education Task Force of early childhood representatives. Supt. Taymore also announced an MHS pilot program to address the teaching/learning and cost concerns around substitute coverage, where two experienced Melrose subs (who are known to students and staff and understand our academic expectations) will be consistently stationed in the cafeteria vs. classroom coverage.

Guest presenter Dorothy Presser from the Mass. Assoc. of School Committees (MASC) walked us through some basics on the importance, design, and implementation of norms. We then discussed our current document with members expressing an interest in simplifying them and making them more concise. It was also suggested that members sign them (a best practice according to Ms. Presser) in order for us to show our commitment to them. Proposals will be available for consideration at the next meeting.

Consent Agenda: Field trips coming up: 8^th grade to NYC again in June; Italian exchange next year; small number of track team members to Providence for a meet on Friday. Many maintenance projects were completed by DPW; the Personnel Report noted that the Athletic Director/Director of Health and Wellness Pat Ruggiero plans to retire at year-end (with other personnel issues all related to staff leaves of absence); bills were approved for payment; and the budget summary was reviewed and approved.

Subcommittees: A new staff member will be hired in the area of Special Education at Lincoln School. The Classes of 2011-2013 are being contacted and offered the opportunity to close out their accounts by April, 2016 (necessary based on state regulation); otherwise the funds will be used in the district.  An International Students Policy was presented for review and approval. (It recognizes the difference between cultural exchange students sponsored by an approved organization like Rotary, cultural exchange students here as part of an MHS program, and tuition-paying students sponsored by an international education organization.)

Announcements of the Chair: Committee subcommittee assignments were noted as well as a new seating chart. Ms. Dugan reported that MHS is very excited to host an upcoming series of coffees for parents. She also noted that staff is currently working very thoughtfully on planning the best possible academic transition from 8^th-9^th grade possible for students. I noted that City Wide PTO was held Tuesday morning. (Notes in a previous blog post.)

Next meeting is January 26^th in the Aldermanic Chamber of City Hall at 7:00 p.m. We will hear Supt. Taymore’s 2017 Budget Message, learn about tuition-paying foreign students at MHS, wrap up discussions around our norms, and address other responsibilities. Hope you can tune in!