Staff Present:
Ms. Carmen N. Schroeder, Associate Superintendent, Division of Instruction
Dr. Robert Barner, Assistant Superintendent, Student Intervention Programs
Mr. James Konantz, Administrator, Instructional Technology Branch
Ms. Rita Payan Caldera, Administrator, Language Acquisition Branch
Ms. Sue Shannon, Director, Professional Development Branch
Ms. Margaret Jones, Director, Specially Funded Programs Branch
Ms. Jan Pickett, Director, Elementary Education, Curriculum/Instruction/Assessment Branch
Ms. Carol Ogawa, Director, Secondary Instruction
Dr. Ted Bartel, Director, Program Research and Evaluation
Dr. Julie Slayton, Senior Research Analyst, Program Research and Evaluation

Others Present: See attached list.-
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The meeting convened at 10:15 a.m.-
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UPDATE: STANDARDS-BASED PROMOTION IMPLEMENTATION 2000-2001

Dr. Barner provided an overview of the Standards-Based Promotion Implementation plan for 2000 2001. Recently, the State of California passed Assembly Bill 1626 which ended the practice of promoting students from grade to grade whether or not they had mastered the grade-level curriculum. School districts are now required to implement Standards-Based Promotion. Students will need to show that they have learned the standards for that grade on a satisfactory level before they can be promoted to the next grade.

Dr. Slayton spoke about the evaluation process to identify best classroom practices to help at-risk students, the evaluation questions, the four-year observational study, the types of observations, the interview process, and the academic indicators.

Dr. Barner and Dr. Slayton responded to questions raised by the Committee.

MASTER PLAN EVALUATION REPORT FOR ENGLISH LEARNERS

Ms. Caldera reviewed the findings and recommendations contained in the "Evaluation Report: Master Plan Report for English Learner Programs." The evaluation process was designed to answer essential questions about the academic progress of the 312,000 English learners in the District. The evaluation report establishes baseline data for the 1998-99 school year; meets State compliance requirements to conduct an annual evaluation of program effectiveness for English learners; provides direction to the District and schools in establishing benchmarks and measuring progress towards program goals; and provides direction for the development of improvement plans for English learner programs.

EARLY EDUCATION IMPROVEMENT PLAN

Ms. Pickett advised that the Multiple District Plan approved by the Board on April 11, 2000, emphasized changes to focus the District on reading instruction. For the first time all beginning readers will have the opportunity to attend school for 40 additional minutes a day. Ms. Pickett spoke about implementation issues, the goals of the plan, literacy development, the establishment of focus groups, and the transition to the reorganization of the District.

Ms. Pickett responded to questions raised by the Committee.

MR. TOKOFSKY'S MOTION‹SOCIAL PROMOTION

Mr. Tokofsky presented his motion on social promotion. Ms. Schroeder suggested the following revision:

Resolved, Students who have not scored over the 20th percentile in any one of the last three years in reading or math shall not be promoted to the next grade. This will serve as an additional criteria for the Superintendent's plan regarding social promotion.

Following a brief discussion with staff, Ms. Castro requested that the motion be withdrawn from the Board agenda of June 13, 2000.

MR. TOKOFSKY'S MOTION‹EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

Mr. Tokofsky presented his motion on Early Childhood Education.

Mr. Michael Haggood, Site Administrator at Normandie Avenue and Thirty-Sixth Street Children's Centers, expressed his belief that Site Administrators at children's centers are underpaid.

Following a discussion with Ms. Derrig and Ms. Castro, Mr. Tokofsky will rewrite his motion.-

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The meeting adjourned at 12:05 p.m.-
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Notes by: Dinah Edwards, Board Secretariat