Board of Education Discusses Standards-based Report Cards in Elementary Schools, Recognizes October as National Disability Awareness Month

The Montgomery County Board of Education met on Monday, September 21, and, among other items, discussed the implementation of standards-based report cards at the elementary school level. The Board also appointed two new administrators, recognized October as National Disability Awareness Month, and proclaimed October 7 as Walk to School Day.

Implementation of Policy IKA, Grading and Reporting–Standards-based Report Cards at the Elementary Level
The Board of Education discussed implementation of Policy IKA, Grading and Reporting. Montgomery County Public Schools is entering the sixth year of implementing the revised Board policy at all levels and the third year of implementing a standards-based gradebook and report card in selected elementary schools. The grading system continues the school system’s emphasis on standards-based curriculum, instruction, and assessment to improve teaching and learning.

This school year, 25 elementary schools are implementing the Online Achievement and Reporting System (OARS) in Grades 1–5, expanding the implementation from Grades 1–3 to include all elementary school grade levels. The elementary school gradebook, an electronic standards-based version of the Pinnacle web-based gradebook used in secondary schools, links instructional tasks to measurement topics, automatically deriving scores for teachers that calculate a student’s learning trend. "We recognize that it is imperative that standards-based grading be implemented in such a manner that it will assist us in achieving excellence and equity, as described in our strategic plan," said Shirley Brandman, president of the Montgomery County Board of Education. "It is important that we analyze our progress along the way so that we can use the lessons learned in the pilots to make adjustments that will translate into improved student performance and achievement."

Appointments
The Board of Education approved the following administrative appointments:

Angel E. Garcia-Ablanque, currently assistant director, Division of School Plant Operations, as assistant director, Department of Transportation

Dana M. Tofig, currently communications director, Georgia Department of Education, as director, Department of Public Information

National Disability Awareness Month
The Board passed a resolution declaring the month of October as National Disability Awareness Month in Montgomery County Public Schools, encouraging staff members in schools across the county to sponsor appropriate learning and community-building activities in honor of its recognition. Montgomery County Public Schools is committed to providing a climate of respect that includes high expectations and a multitude of opportunities to ensure full participation for all students to be successful.

Walk to School Day
The Board adopted a resolution proclaiming October 7, 2009, as Walk to School Day. Children, parents, and community leaders again are joining together nationally and internationally to walk children to school or to the bus stop to promote traffic pollution awareness, health and physical fitness, and pedestrian safety in their communities.