Verified EESAC Meeting Minutes

Approval of minutes: Mrs. Robledo called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. The minutes from September 18, 2012, were reviewed and approved.

SIP Review: The EESAC is the sole body responsible for the approval and implementation of the School Improvement Plan (SIP). Mr. Rivers reported on fall interim assessment scores in math and science. In grade 6 math, 87 percent of students achieved satisfactory progress (98 percent were non-proficient on the baseline assessment). In grade 7 math, 93 percent scored satisfactory (86 percent were non-proficient on the baseline). In grade 8 Algebra I, 94 percent scored satisfactory (100 percent were non-proficient on the baseline). In geometry, 92 percent scored proficient (97 percent were non-proficient on the baseline). In grade 8 science, 40 percent scored proficient (77 percent were non-proficient on the baseline). In biology, 45 percent scored proficient (85 percent were non- proficient on the baseline). Mrs. Coto-Gonzalez reported on reading data from the fall interim. In grade 6, 92 percent of students achieved satisfactory progress; in grade 7, 89 percent scored satisfactory progress; and in grade 8, 97 percent scored satisfactory progress. The category with the greatest need for improvement across all grade levels was literary analysis. In grade 6, the strongest question group was vocabulary and the lowest was informational text. In grade 7, reading application was the strongest area and literary analysis was the lowest. In grade 8, vocabulary was the highest area and literary analysis was the lowest.

Principal’s Message: Mrs. Stroleny reviewed a handout on the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) and the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). The U.S. Department of Education awarded “Race to the Top” assessment funds to PARCC for the development of a K-12 assessment system aligned to the CCSS, which are internationally benchmarked and include all grades. Disciplinary literacy is emphasized. Florida is a member of this partnership of 23 states, whose primary goal is to help states dramatically increase the number of students who graduate from high school ready for college and careers. The PARCC will test students' ability to read complex texts, complete research projects, excel at classroom speaking and listening assignments, and work with digital media. PARCC will also replace the one end-of-year high stakes accountability test with a series of assessments throughout the year that will be averaged into one score for accountability purposes, reducing the weight given to a single test administered on a single day and providing valuable information to students and teachers throughout the year. During the Common Core Implementation Institutes held across Florida over the summer, educators who attended received updates on PARCC activities.

• 2012-2013: Full implementation of literacy standards in ALL content areas for grades 6- 12; Continue implementation of rich and complex text and informational text for grades K-12.
• 2013-2014: Implementation of a blended curriculum (CCSS and Supplemental NGSSS Aligned to FCAT 2.0 and EOCs) for grades 3-12; Continue implementation of rich and complex text and informational text for grades K-12. Pilot available statewide.
• 2014-2015: Full implementation for grades K-12; PARCC assessments aligned to CCSS. PARCC summative assessments operational. Florida students take CCSS-aligned PARCC summative assessments in math and literacy, grades 3-11.

In English language arts/literacy, assessments will determine whether students can read and comprehend complex literary and informational text, can write effectively when analyzing text, and have attained overall proficiency in literacy. In mathematics, assessments will determine whether students have mastered knowledge and skills in highlighted domains (e.g. domain of highest importance for a particular grade level – number/ fractions in grade 4; proportional reasoning and ratios in grade 6) and have attained overall proficiency in mathematics. PARCC item and task prototypes/writing assessments, rather than having students write an essay responding to a prompt on a specific topic as on FCAT, PARCC requires students to gather information from a single or multiple texts they have read and use that information to develop the writing they do for the assessment. This is a key area of emphasis in the CCSS and reflects the expectations of college‐ and career‐ready students. The writing will be scored to also assess mastery of reading skills. The handout had an example of a PARCC test question. Rather than measuring reading using 4‐option multiple‐choice test items as on FCAT, PARCC will use a wide variety of test items. Both reading and math will include more traditional item types as well as innovative items types such as drag‐and‐drop, or multiple choice items that have two or more parts to each question. Many mathematics tasks will also require students to justify their responses in writing or by using technology to construct a response. PARCC’s assessment will be computer-based. The handout also gave a timetable of assessments over the next three years.
For 2011-2012, the reading portion of the language arts curriculum within the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards must include civics education content. For 2012-2013, students entering grade 6 must achieve successful completion of at least a one-semester civics education course in the middle grades. The Civics EOC Assessment must be administered as a field test at the middle school level. For 2013-2014, a student’s performance on the statewide administered Civics EOC Assessment must constitute 30 percent of the student’s final course grade. Baseline data will be collected to establish a minimum passing score on the Civics EOC Assessment.
For 2014-015, a student must earn a passing score on the state Civics EOC Assessment in order to pass the course and be eligible for promotion from middle school. The Civics EOC Assessment will become part of school grading. Instructional implications call for reading and writing grounded in complex text; building content knowledge through content rich nonfiction; writing across the curriculum; and ramping up rigor. To prepare, we at Carver are using professional development on early-release days, OPT teacher workday in February, department meetings, district department chairperson meetings, and the literacy team. Mrs. Stroleny explained that this will be substantially more challenging than anything we have seen with the exception of Advanced Placement exams. Schools have been told that if they prepare for the PARCC, the FCAT will not be a major challenge. We need to change the way we teach; it is fine to teach to this test. Mr. Sands commented that this is a lot of testing with great accountability. Mrs. Fernandez commented that each grade level has specific domains to master.

The Attendance Boundary Committee will meet on Nov. 27 to change boundary areas for some Miami-Dade schools. This does not affect Carver, but the EESAC must be informed of this meeting. Mrs. Fernandez was congratulated on her election as Carver’s Teacher of the Year. She expressed her gratitude and said she has just finished completing the packet to turn in to the district. The magnet application/recruitment process has begun and runs through January 15. MAST will be on campus November 15 for a presentation for eighth-graders. The music program will present its holiday concert, “Music is the Language of the World,” at 7 p.m. on November 14 in the auditorium. The PTSA will hold its meeting at 6 p.m. on November 15, when Shake-A Leg will make a presentation; that same date, French author Mark Levy will speak to French IS students in grades 7 and 8. Mrs. Fernandez said the Math Counts team will participate in a competition on November 17 at Ferguson High School. The literacy team will meet on November 19 (since changed to November 26). Teachers will vote on November 19 to ratify a new contract. On November 20, Richard Kerns will make a series of presentations to students. Coral Gables High School will visit eighth-graders on November 21. Science Fair week begins on November 26, with Science Fair Night for parents at 6 p.m. on November 28. Law Enforcement Officers Memorial High School will present to eighth-graders during homeroom on November 27. Scoliosis screening for sixth-graders is on November 30. Interim report card distribution and the Geography Bee are on December 4. A parent workshop for mathematics is on December 5 at 6 p.m. Dr. Garcia will present an FCAT science workshop for parents on December 12. December 13 is early release. On December 17, Mrs. Green will make substance abuse presentations in the auditorium for seventh- and eighth-graders, and on December 18 will make cyber-bullying presentations in the auditorium. December 18 is the No-Homework Pass for the PTSA fundraiser; December 19 is the No-Homework pass for PTSA membership. Mr. Sands will stage Kick-It-Up on December 21. The mid-year writing assessment is January 9 and 10. The PTSA general meeting is January 16. January 17 is early release. The next EESAC meeting is January 22; other meeting dates are March 19 and May 21. Mrs. Daniels was congratulated for the recent successes on the athletic programs. Mrs. Stroleny wished all a happy Thanksgiving and happy holidays.

Official Business: The committee approved use of the same formula used last year for distribution of the A+ money when it arrives. The faculty already has voted in favor of using this formula. Mr. Rivers informed that we have received district approval for a change in the bylaws: a designee for the principal can assume her duties at EESAC meetings if she cannot attend.

Adjournment: Mrs. Robledo adjourned the meeting at 9:05 a.m.