New partnership will team San Rafael school and business leaders - Marin Independent Journal

New partnership will team San Rafael school and business leaders - Marin Independent Journal

""The results that have been attained in Montgomery County are nothing short of phenomenal," said Marin County Superintendent of Schools Mary Jane Burke. "Over a period of approximately 12 years, they were able to raise the bar for all of their kids while simultaneously closing the 'achievement gap.'""

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Phenomenal? Is the Achievement Gap in MCPS really closed?

I hope Superintendent Mary Jane Burke takes the time to read the "Report on Our Call To Action," and decides for herself.

Board to vote on Our Call to Action

Our Call to Action 2011-2016, on the Board of Education's agenda for Monday, July 25, 2011.  

Please look it over, and submit comments to the Board either by email (boe@mcpsmd.org) or during the public comment period Monday early evening ( http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/boe/community/participation.shtm#comments).

Draft Our Call to Action: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/boe/meetings/agenda/2011-12/2011-0725/60%20Call%20to%20ActionMEMO.pdf

Here are a few things that catch my eye:

1.The performance targets for math are To Be Determined.  Math 6 in Grade 5 is completely up in the air.

2. There are a lot of "Gains in Student Performance." How does this jibe with the perception (mine anyway) that the red zone is not gaining fast enough?

3. Goal 1: MAP-R is added as a Data Point. We've wanted a focus on MAP-R for a long time.  But, will it be only a cut-point, to give early warning of lack of proficiency?  Will they actually send the results home and explain what they mean? (For more on MAP-R, see the April report http://montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/sharedaccountability/reports/2011/Establish%20G38%20reading%20benchmark_brief_2_2_11%20FINAL.PDF.)

4.  Check out the Deputy Superintendent of Schools' Innovation Team.  What do they do?  "Dynamic discourse," "fresh perspectives on issues or problems that are complex and enduring." "Innovative thinking of staff in a setting that values inspired thinking and collective problem solving."  Wow!

5.  Then there's "Developing Mathematical Proficiency for All Students." The Math Work Group in action. Too bad GT parents were/are excluded.  Look forward to "depth" (meaning slow).

6. Look at Goal 2, Milestone 2:  the Gifted and Talented stuff.  Does this Milestone, these Data Points, capture and drive Gifted and Talented education?

7. Then there's the Gifted and Talented discussion:  Continuum of Accelerated and Enriched Instruction, Honors/Advanced Placement/International Baccalaureate and Advanced-level Courses. Is that Gifted and Talented?

Please weigh in.

Frederick Stitchnoth