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Home My WebLink About1979-03-20-SC-min Page 31 March 20, 1979 A meeting of the Lexington School Committee was held on Tuesday evening, March 20, 1979, at 8:00 p.m. , at William Diamond Junior High School. Those in attendance were: Brown, Shaw, and Michelman. Also present were: Lawson, Pierson, Maclnnes, Monderer, DiGiauuuarino, and Barnes. Several parents expressed support or concern about the recommenda- PUBLIC tions for Junior High Instructional Grouping. PARTICIPATION Following their presentation, Mr. Brown, announced the School Com- mittee appreciated parental comments, and would schedule a meeting to discuss the report. He noted that the report was to be presented to the School Committee that very evening for their review. Therefore, there would be no extensive discussion that evening. The Superintendent said copies of the recommendations would be make available to parents and interested citizens . The Superintendent added that the recommendations to improve Instructional Grouping were forwarded to the School Committee as a result of discussions and re- actions from School Committee members, staff, and parents. He noted that he concurred with the recommendations submitted by Geoff Pierson and members of the grouping committee. He said that the revised recom- mendations offered advantages over the original recommendations. He said they were: - more consistent with the philosophy of the school system and with the philosophy of junior high education as enunciated in junior high summer workshop reports of 1968-70. - allowed seventh grade teams more control over the shape of their organization and schedule, and encourages the fullest realization of the team concept. - allowed considerable adjustment of curriculum, as well as grouping and scheduling procedures to respond to varying needs and interests of students. - permitted students more control over their academic and social identity. He noted that a meeting was held with junior high school faculty, principals, and department heads. Dr. Pierson then reviewed the history of the study and the role of the Instructional Grouping Practices Committee. He noted that even though the recommendations to the School Committee completed a cycle, further discussion needed to occur. Dr. Pierson then reviewed each of the recom- mendations as outlined in the study. Recommendation A That students be placed in an instructional group in one subject independently of their placement in an instructional group in another sub- ject. Page 32 March 20, 1979 Recommendation B That in Grade 7, formation of instructional groups differ accord- ing to the nature of the disciplines and the needs and interests of students. 1. That the following pre-determined, year-long instructional groups be formed: Mathematics Pre-algebra Grade 7 mathematics Mathematics skills Foreign Language Intensive Regular (Basic French could be formed if needed and able to be scheduled) 2. That in Grade 7 science, social studies, and English*, in- structional groups be formed within classes or among them to respond to differing instructional needs and interests, the size and duration of these groups to be recommended by the teachers of a team or grade levelin consultation with counselors and administrators. *An English/Reading Skills course will be formed for students whose skills will not permit functioning in the regular pro- grams. 3. That, during the 1979-80 academic year, the needs of students capable of accelerated work in English, social studies, or science also be met through placement in a phase V, grade 8 class. 4. That planning begins this year for a Grade 8 - Grade 9 program which offers courses within each discipline available to stu- dents from both grade levels, depending upon their skills and interests, for implementation in the 1980-81 academic year. Recommendation C That a number of steps should be taken to improve the placement of students and the evaluation of that placement: 1. Increased visiting between Grade six and seven classroom teachers. 2. Improved written couuuunication between junior high and parents of current sixth graders, prior to the April conference. 3. More coherent articulation between sixth and seventh grade cur- ricula. 4. Re-assessment of placement by junior high teachers at any time during the year. 5. Continuation of placement recommendations from sixth grade teachers. Page 33 March 20, 1979 Following the presentation, Mr. Michelman suggested a further re- view and discussion of some of the parental concerns and a sample of plans for initial student placements. It was agreed to present these items at the next meeting held to discuss the study. In summary, the Superintendent said the report responded to a criti- cal need to determine better ways of teaching students at the junior high school level, and that he would make no recommendations unless he believed that the study did respond to that concern. Mr. Brown then suggested that the April 3 meeting be devoted be- tween the hours of 8:00 and 10:00 p.m. to Instructional Grouping Study. Dr. Pierson introduced the report, Computers in Instruction. He noted that a study was being presented with a set of recommendations for consideration. He noted that the position of .5 Computer-in-In- struction Specialist was held by Ed Good. The position had been ap- proved in the re-organization of the Computer Services Division a year ago, and part of the charge to the specialist was that a report would be developed, and a priority be given to the development of a K-12 guide for the development of computer literacy. Mr. Good then gave a status report with recommendations concerning computer instruction in the Lexington Public Schools. He noted that the report contained an evaluation of the current status of hardware and software; assessed existing applications of computers in instruction; and recommended goals and directions for instructional computers. Mr. Good then spoke to each of the three points and presented the follow- ing recommendations: A. That the Lexington Schools adopt as a goal the development of a K-12 computer literacy program, integrated into all appropri- ate disciplines. B. That fifteen terminals be added to the current configuration to produce a ratio of 1:100. C. That, in acquiring more terminals, Lexington should purchase microcomputers. D. That each junior high should have a line to the PDP/11 to per- mit teachers and students to make use of all available resources provided by this big computer. E. That steps must be taken to improve the continuation for computers in instruction in the Science Department at the High School. F. That expansion of the current .5 specialist staffing should be considered to allow more complete program and staff support. G. The PDP/8 should be dedicated to educational use from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily. Following Mr. Good' s presentation, several parents indicated their support for the expansion of the number of computers in the schools. Page 34 March 20, 1979 Mrs. Maryellen Rodriquez presented a letter to the School Committee which noted the Hastings School P.T.A. requested PET computer for the school. The P.T.A. said it would provide funds on a matching grant basis. The Superintendent said he would have Frank DiGiammarino, Geoff Pierson, and Dick Barnes prepare a report on computers to respond to the recommendations and indicate the direction computers should take in Lexington. The School Committee thanked Mr. Good for his presentation. It was MINUTES 2/27/79 VOTED: to accept the minutes of February 27, 1979, as amended. Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, it was SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS VOTED: to accept the following Schedule of Payments: (Michelman, Shaw, Unanimous) (See attached sheet.) Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, it was NEW PERSONNEL VOTED: to accept the following new personnel: (Michelman, Shaw, Un- animous) (See attached sheet.) Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, it was PERSONNEL CHANGES VOTED: to accept the following personnel changes (professional) : (PROFESSIONAL) (Michelman, Shaw, Unanimous) (See attached sheet.) Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, it was PERSONNEL CHANGES VOTED: to accept the personnel changes (classified) as follows: (CLASSIFIED) (Michelman, Shaw, Unanimous) (See attached sheet.) Dr. Monderer disseminated samples of the High School guidance GUIDANCE questionnaires. He noted that the survey would be taken shortly. QUESTIONNAIRES The results would be given to the School Committee as outlined in his previous presentation. It was VOTED: to go into Executive Session at 10:50 p.m. to discuss a collec- tive bargaining matter. (Michelman, yes; Shaw, yes; Brown, yes) Respectfully submitted, /2- (�.� GGA_ -\Richard H. Barnes Recording Secretary /c SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS The following schedules of payments were available for scrutiny and approval prior to this meeting: SCHOOL DEPARTMENT BUDGETS Personal Services March 2, 1979 Classified Payroll #19-C $63,802.52 March .9, 1979 Professional Payroll #18 458,167.17 Expenses March 9, 1979 Bill Schedules #189 2,718.93 March 9, 1979 ii190 4,159.02 March 9, 1979 11191 8,374.71 March 9, 1979 4192 24,519.08 March 9, 1979 0193 339.15 March 9, 1979 0194 1,152,36 March 16, 1979 4195 2,310.01 March 16, 1979 4196 4,487.68 March 16, 1979 4197 4,145.87 March 16, 1979 11198 1,935.82 March 16, 1979 1,199 102,29 March 16, 1979 4200 7,227.40 March 16, 1979 #201 708.16 Out-of-State Travel March 9, 1979 Bill Schedules #9 906. 19 March 9, 1979 #10 360.00 SPECIAL PROGRAMS - Non-Lexington Funds Adult Education March 9, 1979 Professional Payroll 1,119.86 March 9, 1979 Bill Schedule 48 20.50 Driver Education March 9, 1979 Professional Payroll 658.14 Metro Program March 2, 1979 Classified Payroll 413-C 878.73 March 9, 1979 Professional Payroll 4,865.75 March 9, 1979 Bill Schedule #9 15,91 PL 94-142 Grant - Transition to Employment March 2, 1979 Classified Payroll 413-C 44.64 March 9, 1979 Professional Payroll 1,535.57 March 9, 1979 Bill Schedule 410 790.33 _L 89-313 Special Education March 9, 1979 Professional Payroll 627.76 Bus Tickets March 9, 1979 Pi11 Schedule 110 1, 150.50 (Over) Pupil School Matr> Rec. March 9, 1979 Bill Schedule #6 382,68 • NEW PERSONNEL SECONDARY Name SCNUOLiSUBJECT I?DUCATTON EXPERIENCE PERSONNEL CHANGES - PNOPi:SSIONAl, MATERNITY LEAVE YRS. IN LEXINGTON EFFECTIVE RESIGNATIONS YES. ILS LENING ON EFFECTIVE REASON LEAVE OF ABSENCE • (Over) ` r r'i3OGR ^MERS: SETTING IF rt.LA Kt RETIREMENT YES. IN 1.F.XINGTON EFFECTIVE RETURN FROM LEAVE OF ABSENCE END OF TERM NFU: PERSONNEL LANGUAGE LAB AIDES - SE.ICE H11,41. SC:IP-)01, — — — EFFECTIVE CUSTODIAL HELPER - ADAMS SCILCL EFFECTIVE: PERSONNEL CHANGES - CLASSIFIED FOOD SERVICES RESIGNATION RF1'.SON EFFECTIVE