Staff Present:
Mr. Gordon Wohlers, Assistant Superintendent, Policy Research and Development
Mr. Joe Rao, Director, Policy Research and Development

Mr. Horton introduced Dr. Yvonne Chan, Principal, Vaughn Next Century Learning Center, who reported on their accountability framework being built into their employee compensation plan. Mr. Horton stated that Vaughn Next Century Learning Center, a charter school, has an exciting and innovative approach to accountability which the Board could benefit learning from.

Mr. Wohlers commented that Dr. Chan is following Dr. Allen Odden's ideas on accountability. Dr. Odden is the co-director on the Consortium for Policy Research on Education at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and is a member on the Superintendent's Accountability Task Force.

Dr. Chan introduced Suzanne Llamas, a lead-teacher who helped develop and implement the compensation plan. Dr. Chan discussed portions of the plan being implemented. This is a three year pilot plan at Vaughn for all new teachers hired after July 1, 1998, and recently-hired teachers who choose to be on this schedule. After the first year, an expansion can be designed for veteran teachers. Dr. Chan commented that this has been a long and difficult process. Because of the time constraint, Dr. Chan explained the process for teachers pay. She discussed the policies, how performance is measured, a proactive plan for students not meeting grade-level standards, and the criteria for determining if students are on grade level.

Dr. Chan and Mrs. Llamas responded to the Committee members concerns.

REPORT ON CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM

Ms. Kathleen Dixon, Parent Representative on the Superintendent's Task Force on Accountability, and LAUSD Parent Collaborative Chairperson, presented her views on the visit to the public school system in Chicago. She discussed the elements of reform, and commented that their visit to the Chicago School System taught them that many of their elements on reform should be considered in the development of an accountability system, and in the efforts to improve student achievement in LAUSD.

Mr. Walter Waddles, a member of the Superintendent's Accountability Task Force, presented his views on the visit to the Chicago School System. He discussed Chicago's new uniform promotion

policy for grades three, six and eight, that would end social promotion and will better prepare
students' success at the next organizational level. Mr. Waddles spoke on the criteria for promotion and retention.

Dr. Douglas Trelfa, Coordinator, Policy Research and Development, presented his impression on the visit to the Chicago School System. He observed and discussed the following: the difficulty of change, the importance of leadership, and the importance in integrating standards, curriculum, instruction and assessment. Dr. Trelfa stated that Chicago has all the ingredients for success in the accountability program.

The Committee members presented their views, and agreed that a lot was learned from the trip.

Mr. Wohlers stated that implementing the District's plan will not be easy. It will be felt at all levels. Mr. Wohlers reiterated Dr. Chan's earlier statement that implementing accountability was not so easy at Vaughn.

Mr. Wohlers noted that six of the ten reports from the Superintendent's Accountability Task Force have been heard. After all the reports are presented, the Superintendent will compile the information and present it to the Board of Education.

Notes by: Alice Fong, Board Secretariat