ROCKVILLE, MD—The Montgomery County Board of Education met on Monday, September 22, and, among other items, discussed the implementation of Policy IKA, Grading and Reporting, and specific changes in grading and reporting systems for 2008-09. The Board also appointed two administrators and approved resolutions concerning the observance of Walk to School Day on October 8, 2008, and National Disabilities Awareness Month in October.

Implementation of Policy on Grading and Reporting (Policy IKA)
The Board of Education received a briefing from the Office of Curriculum and Instruction, and from principals, teachers and parents on the continued implementation of Policy IKA, Grading and Reporting. Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is entering its fifth year of implementing this revised policy. The policy aligns system reform efforts and the school system’s strategic plan by promoting standards-based teaching and learning to support student achievement in elementary and secondary schools. This year, in elementary schools, the number of schools implementing the use of an electronic standards-based grade book will increase from 19 to 24. All 24 participating schools will distribute the standards-based report cards to students enrolled in grades 1–3. Also this academic year, all secondary schools are applying recently approved procedures for implementing the electronic gradebook and web-based communication in grades 6–12, as they continue to implement the Online Achievement and Reporting System.

Administrative Appointments
The Board approved the following administrative appointments:

• Juan M. Cardenas, currently team leader in the Office of Communications and Family Outreach, as the office’s new director of Multimedia Services.

• Sandra Navidi, currently coordinator, Business Management, Entrepreneurship, Finance and Information Technologies, as the new supervisor, Education, Entrepreneurship and Information Technology.

Walk to School Day
The Board proclaimed Wednesday, October 8 as “Walk to School Day” and encourages everyone in the community to consider the safety of pedestrians and, in particular, student walkers every day. International Walk to School Day is being celebrated on October 8 throughout the country.

National Disability Awareness Month
The Board declared the month of October as National Disability Awareness Month in MCPS and encourages staff members in schools across the county to sponsor appropriate learning and community-building activities in honor of its recognition.

Montgomery County Board of Education: Mrs. Nancy Navarro, president. Ms. Shirley Brandman, vice president. Members: Mr. Steve Abrams, Mr. Christopher Barclay, Ms. Sharon Cox, Dr. Judy Docca, Mrs. Patricia B. O’Neill, and Ms. Quratul-Ann Malik, student member. Dr. Jerry D. Weast, superintendent and secretary-treasurer. Office of the Board: 301-279-3617.

The Board of Education is the official educational policymaking body in the county. The Board is responsible for the direction and operation of the public school system. The Board consists of seven county residents elected by voters for a four-year term and a student elected by secondary school students for a one-year term. Board members are elected countywide but run at-large or from the Board district in which they reside.