2007-Annual Report - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Superintendent of Schools continued from previous page • Implemented a math intervention program at both middle schools for our most at -risk students. These students now receive up to twice the amount of math instruction per week. • Conducted a study of those students whose skills are below proficient in order to determine what interventions are needed. Based on the results of the study, the FY 09 Superintendent's recommended budget includes additional supports for literacy and mathematics at the K -5 level. • Offered an MCAS tutoring program at the high school, which was supported by a Department of Education grant. • Continued the preparation for the ten -year accreditation process by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges ( NEASC). The faculty worked clarifying stan- dards by which student work can be measured and assessed. Administrators and teachers participated in workshops to apply rubrics to the academic expectations, began to develop common assignments to increase inter - rater reliability, began to write curriculum guides in each program, and prepared the executive summary with strengths and weaknesses as self- assessed. The NEASC accreditation team will arrive at LHS on May 4, 2008. Teacher Quality and Professional Development • Focus on developing Professional Learning Communities to improve student learning. Teachers worked in teams to identify instructional areas needing improvement, and developed new and innovative teaching strategies that will have a positive impact on student achievement. • Participated in training to improve the quality of teacher supervision and evaluation. Facilities • Developed a K -5 Facilities Master Plan based on enroll- ment projections indicating a continued decline in K -5 stu- dent enrollment and the condition of the four older K -5 schools. • Implemented the new K -5 district lines. All K -5 schools now have similar student populations. • Opened the new Fiske School February. • Relocated the central administration "old Harrington" school from the White House school administration build- ing on Massachusetts Avenue. Formed a new town -wide facilities department. Student Achievement Lastly, Lexington students continue to achieve at very high levels, based on local standards and on national examina- tions. Lexington Scholarship And Education Fund Committee ROLE: To oversee the distribution of funds, which are collected biannually through the tax bill solicitation, to the Lexington PTA Council Scholarship Fund and the Lexington Education Foundation, per donor request. APPOINTED by the Selectmen: Chair David Williams with Thomas Fenn from the Lexington PTA Council Scholarship Committee, Janine Cohen and John Miller from the Lexington Education Foundation, and Dr. Paul Ash from the Lexington School Department. HIGHLIGHTS • $6,308 in donations was designated and distributed to the Lexington PTA Council Scholarship Fund. • $4,819 in donations was designated and distributed to the Lexington Education Foundation. 2007 Annual Report, Town of Lexington Page 49