The American Productivity and Quality Center (APQC) has recognized MCPS as a best
practice partner in four areas: professional development, math and science, English
language learners and data–driven decision making.
“This recognition validates the work we have been doing to raise the bar and close
the gap for all children,” Superintendent Jerry D. Weast said. “Being recognized among
the top districts in the country offers MCPS an opportunity to assist in leading the
national effort for providing the best education for all children regardless of race,
ethnicity, disability, gender or socioeconomic status."
APQC, a nonprofit organization based in Houston, Texas, specializes in benchmarking
and performance data. Since 2004, MCPS has been working with APQC as part of a nationwide
initiative to develop benchmarks for educational organizations. Benchmark studies have
led to the organization’s identification of best practice partners.
MCPS was selected as one of five best practice districts in the United States at the
beginning of the study, based on academic achievement, nationally recognized awards,
secondary research and input from the project’s special advisors. MCPS staff representing
the best practice areas of professional development, math and science, and English
language learners presented at APQC’s conference in Houston, along with the other four
best practice partners throughout the nation. Shortly after the conference, MCPS also
was named a best practice partner in the area of data–driven decision making.
MCPS will be hosting a site visit for other participants to see the school system’s
M–Stat process. M–Stat is a way to focus on key data at the district, school and classroom
level in order to improve achievement for all students. Future studies being considered
by APQC include finance and accounting, adolescent literacy, procurement, facilities
management and special education.
Ten schools have been selected to participate in the second phase of the middle school
reform effort, pending passage of the FY 2009 budget. They are Eastern, Gaithersburg,
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Col. E. Brooke Lee, Newport Mill, Shady Grove, Silver Spring
International, Tilden, Julius West and White Oak.
MCPS is in the first year of a three–year, $10 million effort to ensure that middle
school students have the skills to succeed in the global marketplace. Five middle schools
are participating in the first phase of reform efforts this year—Benjamin Banneker,
Roberto Clemente, Montgomery Village, Sligo and Earle B. Wood. The focus includes training
teachers, accelerating curriculum, improving leadership structure and introducing new
technology.
The FY 2009 budget includes expansion of a number of courses currently offered in
the Middle School Magnet Consortium to the 15 reform schools. If the budget is approved
by the County Council, MCPS also would make new courses—some of which would count for
high school credit—available to additional middle schools and provide other new program
options, such as after-school or elective courses. The Phase 2 schools also would receive
interactive technology, which is playing an important role in the classroom to enhance
students' learning experiences.
The Montgomery County Council will take final action on the county’s
operating budget on May 22.
Middle School reform | FY
2009 Operating Budget
Board of Education members discussed three innovative programs that support student achievement at the March 11 Board meeting.
Rock View Elementary
School’s Minority
Achievement Gap Improvement Coalition, with flexible groupings for reading and math, is
helping close the achievement gap between African American and Hispanic students, when
compared with their white and Asian peers. Using data to monitor all students, the school
places students in temporary and flexible groups according to reading and math performance.
Students are moved to a group with more challenging coursework as soon as possible and
are never moved to a lower–level group. All subgroups at the school met Adequate
Yearly Progress proficiency standards last year.
Rock View also has been selected as one of 10
elementary schools from across the nation to be showcased at the International Center
for Leadership in Education’s annual Model School Conference in June.
Rolling Terrace Elementary
School is giving extra math support to limited
English proficiency (LEP) students. Through the STAR Catchers Program, LEP students get
additional support in test–taking strategies and math vocabulary as they relate to the
Maryland School Assessments. Students communicate with each other to expand math vocabulary
and understanding. They use data notebooks to monitor their own progress on key data points,
including goals, daily facts, brief constructed responses, unit quizzes and student attitudes
in math as measured by verbal communication. During FY 2007, STAR Catchers served more
than 60 LEP students in grades 3, 4 and 5. As a result, LEP student math scores on the
MSA rose from 39.7 percent in FY 2006 to 78.6 percent in FY 2007—an increase of almost
40 percent.
Robert Frost Middle
School is providing individual help to students
who need support in reading and/or math. During 2003–2004, 91 percent of students were
proficient in reading and 87 percent were proficient in math on the MSA. But staff members
were determined to reach the remaining students. Through the MSA One–to–One Advisory Program,
teachers, counselors, administrators and parent volunteers meet individually with students
to discuss academic interventions, provide suggestions for improvement, celebrate victories
and conduct ongoing discussions. Students say the program helps them be more focused,
study more and do their assignments; staff say students are more motivated and are taking
more ownership and pride in their work. From 2003–2007, reading proficiency has increased
25.5 percent for Hispanic students, 26 percent for FARMS students and 46.7 percent for
LEP students. Similar results have been made in math, including a 27.8 percent increase
for African American students and a 22.2 percent increase for Hispanic students.
Universal preschool education
The Board reviewed an update on the work of the state task force on Universal Preschool Education, which
recommends a voluntary, free universal preschool program by Fiscal Year 2014 to provide standards–based
high quality early care and education to all 4–year–olds in Maryland whose parents request those services.
The Board voted to commit to collaborations with Montgomery County early childhood stakeholders to
develop a countywide universal preschool implementation plan.
Programs to support student achievement
The Board discussed outstanding and innovative programs at Rock View Elementary School,
Rolling Terrace Elementary School and Robert Frost Middle School that support student
achievement. See previous story.
Tentative approval of Policy EEA, Student Transportation
The Board tentatively approved revised Policy EEA, Student Transportation, which establishes
the operational standards of student transportation services, including eligibility
criteria. The policy was reviewed with input from principals, parents, the MCCPTA and
the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). Changes eliminate regulatory language,
clarify the appeals process, and update language to reflect changes in federal laws
that affect transportation options for students.
Final action on Policy HDD
The Board took final action on Policy HDD, Designation of the Montgomery County Association
of Administrative and Supervisory Personnel as Exclusive Representative of Noncertificated
Supervisory Employees. The policy was approved following an opportunity for public
comment.
Items of legislation
The Board voted its position on items of legislation affecting education currently before
the Maryland General Assembly.
Board-certified educators
The Board recognized 74 MCPS educators who are among 229 National Board Certificated
Teachers (NBCTs) in Maryland meeting the rigorous certification requirements this year.
With a total of 363 NBCTs, MCPS ranks among the top 20 school districts in the nation
for the number of NBCTs employed. MCPS provides a number of supports to candidates
with the goal of substantially increasing the number of nationally certified teachers
in schools throughout MCPS, particularly in schools highly impacted by poverty.
Board-certified educators
Preliminary plans
The Board approved preliminary plans for the modernization of Cresthaven Elementary School
and for additions to Takoma Park and East Silver Spring elementary schools.
FY 2009 fees for Summer School and Evening High School
The Board approved the increase of full fees for the revenue–based summer school courses
by $10 and by $5 for the reduced fee amount. Fees remain the same for summer school
minimal fee-based courses and regional evening high school programs.
Kennedy Cluster project
The Board discussed an update on the current status of the John F. Kennedy High School
Cluster Disparities and Performance Project, designed to accelerate progress already
under way to significantly improve the academic achievement of African American students.
Project teams are collecting and analyzing data to better understand all related issues,
identify changes and services that may be needed within schools, and make recommendations
to the county government regarding needed coordinated services from county departments
and agencies.
Board of Education
Joel Snyder, winner of this year’s MCPS Distinguished Alumni Award from the Montgomery
County Business Roundtable for Education, credits MCPS teachers throughout his school
years with helping him become who he is today.
A nationally recognized arts administrator, educator and performer, Snyder is an advocate for arts access
on behalf of people who are blind or have low vision.
Snyder attended a range of schools in the county, from Pine Crest, Montgomery Knolls
and Stephen Knolls elementary schools to the former Montgomery Hills Junior High School,
to Albert Einstein High School, where he graduated in 1970. At Montgomery Hills, the
extroverted Snyder was allowed to lead assemblies and work with students who had less-developed
verbal skills. At Montgomery Knolls, he felt like a star when he was chosen to play Scrooge
in “A Christmas Carol.” At Einstein, his love for the arts and language was guided by
dedicated teachers. “It is their service to others that inspired my own lifelong commitment
to work with arts access,” he says.
Snyder has been an English and speech/drama teacher at Sherwood High School and has
done ongoing work as a professional theater artist, arts administrator and arts access
specialist. He is the president and CEO of Audio Description Associates in Takoma Park,
Md., and director of described media for the National Captioning Institute in Vienna,
Va. Next year his book, Audio Description: The Visual Made Verbal, will be published
by the American Council of the Blind Press.
Skillful teaching and leadership courses
Summer/fall semester registration
for 29 Studying Skillful Teaching courses is under way. Studying Skillful
Teaching 1 and 2 courses support teachers in improving student achievement. Observing
and Analyzing Teaching 1 and 2 are leadership courses for administrators and aspiring
administrators working toward A&S certification. They focus on developing classroom
observation and conferencing skills. For more information, call Catherine Allie at 301-601-4800.
Register
online through PDO
Supervising teachers
Supervising teachers of student teachers/interns
must complete two forms at the end of the supervising assignment. Submit the Payment
Voucher Form for spring semester to your school/office timekeeper by April 21. Retain
the original form at your assigned location and send a copy, along with the Payment
Verification Form, to the Office of Human Resources, Metro Park North. The Payment Verification
Form must be signed by the appropriate administrator and submitted to the Office of
Human Resources by May 1.
Payment
voucher and payment verification forms
Summer Employment Activities booklet. The Summer Employment Activities
Information for MCEA Unit Members booklet, which lists summer instructional and
curriculum development opportunities for MCEA unit members, and application form (MCPS
Form 460-39: Request for Summer Employment) will be distributed to schools and offices
the week of March 31. They also will be available on Outlook under Public Folders/All
Public Folders/MCPS Forms (for the form) or /MCPS Information/Publications (for the
booklet). There is a critical need in summer school for high school teachers for math,
English, science and health. Applications must be received in the Office of School Performance,
Carver Educational Services Center, Room 170, by May 5. For more information, call
Georgann Hamilton at 301-315-7377.
MCEA sick leave payout change. A change has been made in the 2008–2010
agreement between MCEA and the Board of Education for sick leave payout provisions upon
retirement or termination. MCEA unit members with at least five years of service with
MCPS are eligible for a 30 percent payout of earned sick leave if they are terminating
or retiring on July 1, 2008, and provide notice of their intent by April 1, 2008. Previously,
the 30 percent payout was available only to unit members who acquired 30 years of service.
Find out more on the ERSC
web site.
Snyder award. Nominations are being accepted for the 2008 Reed S. Snyder
Memorial Teacher Excellence Award, given annually to a Montgomery County teacher. Anyone
may nominate a teacher. Nominations are due by April 11, 2008. For details, visit www.ReedSnyderAward.com or
call Marianne Koster at 301-840-8484.
Support jobs in MCPS may be available this summer. The actual number of positions
will depend on the amount of money budgeted for summer programs. Generally, the summer
positions are special education, instructional and Head Start paraeducator; warehouse
helper and supply worker; clerical and office assistant; summer school secretary; security
assistant; and media assistant. Some secretarial and clerical positions require qualification
on the MCPS typing test. (For test appointment, call 301-279-3291.)
To apply, complete an application form or submit a one-page, 8½–x–11 letter stating
name, address, employee identification number, work and home phone numbers, current
assignment and location, dates available and position(s) desired. Send the request
for summer employment to Regina Arrington, Office of Human Resources, by Friday, May
2.
Summer employment form
The MCPS Retirees Association (MCPSRA) is offering scholarships for teachers who wish to continue
their education and for staff members who want to take summer courses.
The Louise Smith Walker Scholarship Fund will provide a $1,000 scholarship for the continuing
education of any MCPS teacher. Walker was a teacher, principal and supervisor who retired from
MCPS in 1968.
Staff may apply for one of eight $1,000 scholarships to help defray the cost of
coursework in a
recognized educational program for summer school 2008. The scholarships, given on the basis of
applicants’ educational goals and financial need, may be used toward the cost of tuition, books
or other expenses.
Applications and information for both types of scholarships are being distributed to all schools
and offices. Applications must be submitted by April 4.
For details, forms and questions, visit www.mcpsretirees.org or
call
Joy Schwab at 301-253-3294.
MCPS cancer support group. A new group is forming for MCPS employees
with cancer, and their families and friends. The group, sponsored by the Employee Assistance
Program (EAP), will meet Wednesday, April 9, 4:30–6 p.m., at 2096 Gaither Rd., Conference
Room 3. For more information, contact Debra Tipton on Outlook or call EAP at 240-314-1040.
College Fair. Encourage
students to explore college options, discuss admission requirements and find out
about financial aid opportunities at the free Montgomery County National College
Fair. The event will be held Wednesday, April 16, 9:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m. and
Thursday, April 17, 9:45 a.m.–12:30 p.m., at the Montgomery County Agricultural
Center. Admissions representatives from around the country will be available, and
students and parents can meet with experts at the fair’s counseling center to assess
their individual needs.
National
Association for College Admission Counseling
Carol Hylton, an instructional specialist in the Division of Title
I Programs, was recognized for her accomplishments in the field of gifted and talented
education at a ceremony in Annapolis. The award was presented by the Maryland State Advisory
Council on Gifted and Talented Education. Throughout her MCPS career, Hylton has been
involved in developing and implementing programs and projects for gifted and talented
students, with a special emphasis on creating classroom environments that support student
development and using strategies to seek out and nurture students.
Ronald Lane, athletic director at Springbrook High School, is the 2007–2008
recipient of the District 2B Athletic Director of the Year Award. The award was announced
by the Maryland State Athletic Directors Association (MSADA) and the Athletic Directors
of District 2B (MCPS). Lane has been athletic director at Springbrook High School for
12 years.
Alana Murray, a social studies teacher at A. Mario Loiederman Middle
School for the Creative and Performing Arts, delivered the closing keynote speech at
the Coalition of Essential Schools Conference in Denver, Colo. Murray is pursuing a Ph.D.
in minority and urban education at the University of Maryland and also works as an advocate
for young leaders in the Washington, D.C., area.
Gail Bailey, director of School Library Media Programs in the Department
of Instructional Programs, successfully defended her dissertation on state education
policymaking and received a doctorate in education (Ed.D.) from the University of Maryland’s
College of Education. Her dissertation title is Allocating State Resources
for School Library Media Programs: A Case Study in Education Policymaking in Maryland.
Janine Lowe, a buyer in the Division of Procurement, has completed
the requirements and passed the exam for the Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB)
certification conferred by the Universal Public Purchasing Certification Council.
Gail Covington McBride, director of the Secondary Leadership Development
Program, with assistance from Kevin Hobbs, principal of Watkins Mill High School, published
the article "Developing Adaptive Learners" in the February 2008 issue of the American
School Board Journal.
Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School student Madison Mayster and John
T. Baker Middle School student Connor Dantzler were named Maryland’s top
two youth volunteers for 2008 in the Prudential Spirit of Community awards program,
conducted by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association
of Secondary School Principals. Mayster formed a Braille Awareness Club at B–CC
to promote ways for students with visual impairments to learn braille. Dantzler
has distributed 5,000 joke books to patients, their families and caregivers at
hospitals and centers throughout Maryland as part of his "Health Through Humor" program.
Each will receive $1,000, an engraved silver medallion and a trip to Washington,
D.C., with other top state honorees.
Frederick Richardson, a senior at Watkins Mill High School, received
the county’s Children of the Dream Award for exceptional academic success and community
involvement. Richardson was honored at this year’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., celebration
at the Music Center at Strathmore.
Chevy Chase Elementary School’s fifth and sixth grade Honors
Chorus was recognized for distinguished participation in the National Children’s Choir at Carnegie
Hall. The school’s music director is Renee Hammond. A total of 36 CCES students represented
Montgomery County at the formal event. Jamie Catterall, a sixth grader at CCES, was selected
to sing a solo. An audiotape is available through the school.
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, Jr. visited Walt Whitman High School recently to talk with government classes. Roberts answered questions from government teacher Robert Mathis and students.
Local author Matthew Cramer visited Pine Crest Elementary School to speak to students about his book, Akeira's Journey: Travels through the Underground Railroad, in honor of African American History Month. This presentation was sponsored by the school and the NAACP.
The Ecology Club at Lois P. Rockwell Elementary School collected 15 boxes
of tennis shoes to be donated to the Nike Reuse–a–Shoe program.
Joan Barkin. A retirement celebration dinner honoring Joan Barkin,
first grade teacher at Bannockburn Elementary School, will be held Wednesday, May
28, 5–9 p.m., at the Brookeville Inn in Brookeville, Md. Send $45 check for dinner
and gift, payable to Bannockburn Social Committee, to the school by April 18. Contributions
for gift, cards and good wishes are welcome from those unable to attend. For more
information, e–mail Petra Remson on Outlook.
Thomas L. Poore, who retired as principal of Fairland Elementary
School in 1993, died Feb. 18. He began work with MCPS in 1968 as principal of Burning
Tree Elementary School and, among his positions, served as principal of Piney Branch,
Oakland Terrace and Brookview elementary schools and Eastern Middle School.
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