Kendall County Times

Community Unit School District 308 Teaching and Learning Advisory Committee met September 19.

Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:

I. Meeting called to order at 5:34 p.m. by Board of Education Member and Committee Co-Chair Jared Ploger.

Members in Attendance: Jared Ploger – Board Member & Co-Chair, Heather Moyer – Board Member & Co-Chair, Dr. Lisa Smith – Associate Superintendent for Educational Services, Laura Bankowski, Candace Fikis, Tina Gonzalez, Kelly Hastings, Toia Jones, Linda Long, Dr. Patti Marcinko, Dr. Debra McDougle, Beth Meier, Yanhong Ochs, Eulalia Valdez

Guests in Attendance: Jamie Max, Director of High School Education; Shannon Lueders, Director of Junior High Education

Members Absent: All present

Recording Secretary: Cindi Krachtus

II. Introductions, Norms, Exit Slips

• The committee members introduced themselves to each other

• Exit Slips were introduced to the committee

• The norms from the AVID program were discussed and the committee agreed these norms would be followed by this committee

III. Motion was made by Mr. Ploger; seconded by Ms. Jones to approve the May 17,

2017 meeting minutes; all were in favor.

IV. Curriculum Review Cycle (Presented by Jamie Max and Shannon Lueders)

• Curriculum review cycle began being reviewed 5 years ago

• Originally was approved as a 5-year curriculum cycle

• Last year it was approved as an 8-year curriculum cycle

• Mr. Max discussed the various identifiers (colors) noted on the curriculum review cycle and how curriculum is being proposed to be rolled-out in various phases and at various grade levels

• This year, the focus is on the junior high school curriculum with specific focus on social studies

• Piloting resources before winter break

• Focus on how the curriculum also effects gifted, EL, SpEd

• In spring, bring a proposal to the school board

• Science

• Started being reviewed in 2014

• There were new resources that were aligned at the secondary level

• A supplemental “Defined STEM” was implemented last year without having to adopt a curriculum

• Some resources are being piloted at the secondary level at this time

• Kinetic Wellness

• Curriculum will be looked at in three (3) phases: Welnet, equipment and resources at the secondary level

• SPARK/HLC at the elementary level currently being used

• Current curriculum is always being revisited/reviewed

• EL elective/Dual Language classes being currently looked at and being tied into the ELA curriculum at the junior high level

• World Language

• Pilots are currently taking place at the secondary level with an anticipated proposal for adoption to BOE at the end of this year

• Working to connect courses to better align “pathways” for students

• CTE being reviewed in three (3) phases: Industrial Tech; Business; horticulture, FCS, PLTW

• Non-traditional (certificated courses) pathway courses/internships also being reviewed

• Fine Arts

• At elementary level, reviewed in phases: Visual Arts, Music

• Overall, Fine Arts is in good shape

• Instructional technology is a focal point of all curriculum adaptions. Open- source, web-based resources will allow topics to remain current and relevant where applicable and will potentially decrease long-term expenses.

Questions/Comments:

• Mr. Ploger indicates when the curriculum is not passed that it is a “cut” to the budget; a cut that can’t be seen, but a cut.

• Difficult for teachers when textbooks are 15-17 years old due to fact that curriculum has not been aligned

• Elementary for Science: 6-12 Pilot, is there a vertical alignment to be sure the elementary students are prepared?

• The scope and sequence is set for the elementary (NGSS) to align and articulate with secondary

• Discussion was had regarding the Science alignment at each respective level and how students from elementary to junior high to high school are not fully prepared for the new level

• Question was raised regarding looking at Bring-Your-Own-Device

• It was indicated that most districts that have gone that route would generally not recommend it.

Put technology on a future agenda for discussion.

IV. Policy 6:280 Grading and Promotion (Review)

• Last year we started looking at this policy, which was very outdated, from 2007

• Copy of revisions of this policy are in front of you dated 6/8/15, the committee revisited in January of 2016, at which time the policy work stopped because there needed to be a discussion regarding social promotion.

• When we look at this policy again, we will look at the revision that was last updated on January 11, 2016.

V. Standards Based Grading

• Motion to table Item 5 by Mr. Ploger; seconded by Ms. Ochs; all were in favor.

VI. Social Promotion

• This pertains to the junior high and high school levels and when students are failing core courses yet are still promoted to the next grade

• At least 6-7 years ago, if student didn’t go to summer school and complete/pass summer school, they would need to repeat entire grade

• Currently, if a student fails a core course, they are encouraged to go to summer school. The student wouldn’t be “promoted” into the next level; they would be “placed” into the next level based on not meeting requirements.

• If they don’t complete summer school or pass, they are placed into the next level with “supports”, which is an extra intervention course/elective (ELA/Math)

• There are no interventions in place for social studies or science, only ELA and math

• Question was asked: What happens if that student still fails those classes?

• Those courses are Tier II, and those are not graded courses

• They would be moved up and would take the extra intervention course again Questions/Comments:

• Why no social studies/science?

• Has just never existed in the district

• They would be put into a study skills class

• These students typically are in MTSS

• Committee Member suggested it would be better to hold back at the elementary level instead of waiting until the junior high level

• There is retention at the elementary level (maybe 4 or 5 a year)

• Question was asked: What are the SEL resources that are needed?

• There used to be a behavioral interventionist in the district

• Most articles indicate that retention is not the answer and intervention and the academic need is more important

• Last board meeting discussion indicated there was no area for any FTE

• Using holistic approach available throughout the entire system, i.e., community, family, parenting, etc., retention is not the option.

• Need to better empower parents on what they can do

• There are parent meetings offered and turnout is not great. We need to think outside the box and have the interventionist perhaps go to the home, something like a welcome wagon. The traditional approach does not work.

• Get parents “on board” and you will see the failure rate reduce

• Summer Bridge program from 8th to high school – not necessarily a class, but fun activities

• Early childhood students as well need to be considered and look into Kindergarten Readiness for students.

• We do have a 0-5 Family Outreach support person who has just started and have also added an SEL Coordinator for mental health outreach

We will come back and revisit this topic at a future meeting.

VII. 2017-2018 Teaching and Learning Advisory Meeting Calendar

• Mr. Ploger made a motion to accept the 2017-2018 Teaching and Learning Advisory Meeting Calendar; seconded by Dr. McDougle; all were in favor.

VIII. Public Comment (3 minutes each)

IX. The meeting was adjourned at 7:25 pm by Mr. Ploger; seconded by Ms. Moyer; all were in favor.

https://www.sd308.org/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=9955&dataid=43090&FileName=Minutes.09.19.17.FINAL.pdf