Nov.+2010


 * Curriculum Council Minutes **
 * November 3, 2010 **

Nancy Alibrandi, Val Aubry, Tina Blinn, Bill Carozza, Steve Chamberlin, Sally Codd, Eileen Reinacher, Dave Tilley, Trish Walton
 * Members Present:**
 * Also Present:** Deidre Smith
 * Place and Time**: MSS 3:20 - 4:15
 * Minutes submitted by:** Nancy Alibrandi


 * Items discussed: **

LINK TO CURRICULUM COUNCIL WIKI
 * The PTA has requested that more information be accessible from the district's web page. Steve Chamberlin has already put a link to the Wellness Wiki on the home page.
 * **ACTION:** **Steve will add a link to the Curriculum Council's wiki so curriculum information will be easier to find.**

UPDATE FROM SCIENCE TASK FORCE
 * No representative was available to give an update from the Science Task Force. This agenda item will be moved to a future meeting.

STATUS OF READING IN CYCLE OF CURRICULUM REVISION
 * Many conversations are currently underway in various committees (e.g. Assessment, Student Support, Digital Portfolio, PLCs, etc.) regarding common assessments, screening tools, intervention programs and processes, etc. Deidre Smith feels that revision of the Reading curriculum needs to be addressed sooner, not later, in the Cycle of Revision process or decisions will end up being made by a few people in other committees rather than by a Reading Task Force.
 * We think that the Science Task Force and the Reading Task Force will involve different staff members, and that the initial work can be undertaken simultaneously if we work with smaller "steering" groups to organize the work. How this work proceeds after the creation of power standards will need to be discussed further.
 * **ACTION: A small group will be formed to gather information in preparation for summer curriculum work to create power standards, look at current assessments, and to develop a list of "parking lot" items which will need further discussion. Deidre Smith, Trish Walton, Val Aubry, and Eileen Reinacher have already volunteered.**
 * There was lengthy discussion about the need to focus on instruction; adding to teachers' toolboxes so they have more confidence with diagnostic tools and a greater variety of strategies to use for RTI and to meet the needs of all learners
 * Current work with the development of power standards, common assessments and having common time to meet in PLCs have resulted in: clearer standards; greater student accountability (high school juniors know what they have to do to meet competencies in order to pass); and a shared understanding of expectations
 * Dave Tilley said instruction in third grade is changing because of PLC discussions centered around common assessments - it changes what they are focusing on
 * Steve Chamberlin pointed out that fourteen months ago there were no power standards, no common assessments, and no "C-time" (Collaboration time) so we are moving forward in a positive direction

FUNDS FOR SUMMER ACADEMIES
 * Summer Curriculum work will be divided into three categories this year - Curriculum Revision, General Curriculum, and Other Work. Priority will be given to the Curriculum Revision Process. There may not be funds to support General Curriculum work this year. Nancy Alibrandi requested that if funds are not available for General Curriculum work that the staff be notified of this as soon as possible.
 * **ACTION: Michael Bessette and Deidre Smith will let Steve Chamberlin know how many people and how many hours will be required for summer curriculum work in Science and Reading so that funds can be allotted for that work.**

UPDATE FROM MATH TASK FORCE
 * The Math Task Force created a white paper on Calculator Use which will be brought for review to the Leadership Team, and then to Curriculum Council next month
 * Tina Blinn and Pat Heinz are piloting some materials
 * Steve Chamberlin was advised by a textbook company to hold off on any major piloting and purchasing of new materials - textbooks are being revised in response to development and adoption of Common Core Standards
 * Purchase of textbooks is a substantial investment - Need to have a discussion about what will have a greater impact on student learning - investment in program vs. investment in instruction; would we be better off investing in professional development to improve and enhance instructional strategies?
 * Math Task Force will be adding a power standard strand for Measurement
 * They will be creating a district glossary of math terms and will be developing guidelines for homework - how it is assigned and graded


 * Next meeting is Wednesday, December 1st at 3:15 in the MSS Conference Room**

__Proposed Agenda Items:__ SOPPADA: Credits for Learning Center (I would need to receive the SOPPADA from Chris Sousa ahead of time to email to CC members) Guidelines for Calculator Use Update from Assessment Committee TechPaths

__Possible Future Agenda Items:__ Update from Student Support Task Force Update from Science Task Force Update on Professional Development