Nov.+2009

November 4, 2009
 * Curriculum Council Minutes**

Nancy Alibrandi, Val Aubry, Tina Blinn, Bill Carozza, Steve Chamberlin, Sally Codd, Mark Dickson, Liz Durant, Chris Kelley, Eileen Reinacher, Chris Sousa, Dave Tilley, Trish Underwood
 * Members Present:**
 * Place and Time: MSS 3:20 - 4:15

Items Discussed: Revisit the Cycle of Curriculum Revision -** Steve Chamberlin
 * Steve proposed some changes to the Cycle of Curriculum Revision which includes the development of power standards/competencies (click here to see proposed changes)
 * Competencies have been developed at the High School to meet a state requirement that students must achieve competencies to be awarded graduation credits; we are using the term 'Power Standards' for what each student is expected to know at each grade level prior to High School since the term 'competencies' is tied with graduation requirements
 * Horizontal and vertical vetting of the Power Standards is key - won't work unless staff embrace them
 * Concern was raised about being able to staff all the committees in such a small district and to accomplish all the revision work within the given timeframe
 * Communication between committees will be important; the H20 Steering Committee will help with this, as well as having overlapping membership on committees, and keeping everyone informed via technology (e.g. Assessment and Curriculum Council wikis)
 * Concern was raised about having the time needed to develop common assessments; summer of year two might include teaming to develop these
 * Substitute teachers will be provided so that task force will have two afternoons of release time, and one of the four Professional Development days to accomplish their work- Steve is aware of the need for providing time
 * Suggestion that task force develop common language so that all grade levels are using consistent language
 * Nancy Alibrandi provided some background information on Power Standards (click here for background information and examples of Power Standards)
 * Suggestion that some of the members of the Math Task Force cross train the Science Committee members so they know what to do and expect (the first time through, not only are the power standards being created but the whole process is being developed as well)


 * Wikis** - Nancy Alibrandi
 * All the Curriculum Council minutes and documents have been moved to the Curriculum Council wiki at http://hsdcurriculumcouncil.wikispaces.com
 * Members of the committee will be invited to join the wiki as a means to participate in discussions/revisions/etc.
 * The Assessment Committee wiki can be found at http://hsdassessmentcomm.wikispaces.com/


 * Assessment Committee Update** - Bill Carozza
 * The Assessment Committee met at the Town Library to discuss its H20 committee role
 * Brainstormed what do each of the stakeholders (parents, teachers, administrators, students) want to know from the assessments
 * Discussion about the format of an Assessment Night for parents to give an overview about the assessments used in the district
 * Assessment Committee and Curriculum Council will try to keep each other updated a little more often

__Proposed Agenda Items:__ Make and approve changes to Cycle of Curriculum Revision document Define Power Standards Define the Process for Unpacking the Standards Update on Math Committee and Math Power Standards
 * Next meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 2 in the MSS Conference Room**