April+2011


 * Curriculum Council Minutes **
 * April 6, 2011 **

Nancy Alibrandi, Val Aubry, Michael Bessette, Tina Blinn, Bill Carozza, Steve Chamberlin, Sally Codd, Mark Dickson, Marcia McCaffrey, Dave Tilley, Trish Walton
 * Members Present:**
 * Also Present:** Michelle Cotnoir, Chris Kelley
 * Minutes submitted by:** Nancy Alibrandi

HIGH SCHOOL COMPETENCY DEVELOPMENT - Chris Kelley, Michelle Cotnoir
 * Items discussed: **
 * Chris Kelley and Michelle Cotnoir gave an update from the Competency Steering Committee. Members of the committee are: C.Olson, R. Brandt, J. Brizard, L. Bickford, M. Krogman, T. Walton, H. Charron, M. Dickson, W. Renauld, M. Cotnoir, and C. Kelley. The goals for the committee are:
 * A. Articulation of competencies in a consistent format
 * B. Validation of competencies through the use of district competency guidelines
 * C. Develop standardized grading practices
 * D. Develop a redesigned report card that accurately communicates to parents and students about student learning
 * E. Full implementation of competencies and standards in grades 7-12
 * The pdf. file below outlines some history and general information on competencies, as well as some guiding questions when checking a competency for its appropriateness and validity
 * [[file:Revised Comp Guidlines.pdf]]
 * [[file:Guidelines for Students.pdf]]
 * [[file:Guidelines for parents.pdf]]
 * Developed a revised competency template with a standardized format which includes the Competency - essential knowledge and skills required in a course (Steve suggested they use understandings - the role of the teacher is important because of the understandings); Indicators of Learning -measurable components of a competency; Evidence - assessments used to measure a student's achievement of indicators
 * The number of competencies vary from course to course and subject area (suggest 5-8)
 * What is the relationship between competencies and grades? Are we punishing students with grades? Discussion about feedback with learning vs. label with learning - support feedback to inform student learning

MUSIC TASK FORCE - Chris Kelley > SUMMER CURRICULUM FUNDS - Steve Chamberlin
 * Chris Kelley reported on the work of the Music Task Force contained in the document below:
 * [[file:MusicTaskForce.pdf]]
 * [[file:MusicTaskForce2.pdf]]
 * Marcia McCaffrey gave us copies of the state's [|Measuring Up: New Hampshire Arts Education Data Project Report]. **"Measuring Up** is a collaborative initiative that represents New Hampshire’s first statewide effort to document and analyze the level of access to -- and participation in -- arts learning in K-12 public schools."
 * Pending state legislation regarding funding of teacher retirement may affect curriculum funding
 * $13,000 in Title II grant plus money budgeted from district funds equals $21,000 (this is down 15%) that may be available for curriculum work and summer work
 * Leadership Team will discuss priorities for funding proposals; will have ready for us for June meeting
 * Proposals from staff will be due May 13th

UPDATE ON MATH & READING - Steve Chamberlin
 * Developed glossary for terms that have different meanings at different grade levels
 * Developing math homework guidelines
 * Need days in summer for parking lot items
 * Steve went to Math Common Core introduction; will need to align power standards with Common Core
 * Start up of Reading Task Force work may be delayed pending health status of key member

UPDATE ON SCIENCE - Michael Bessette
 * Science Task Force steering committee has been preparing for work for this summer


 * Next meeting** - May 4, 2011