The Montgomery County Board of Education (Board) met on Monday, September 24, 2018, at Carver Educational Services Center, 850 Hungerford Drive in Rockville.  During the meeting, the Board took final action on Policy FAA, Educational Facilities Planning; received a presentation and discussed the Evidence of Learning performance report; and received an update on the Kirwan Commission recommendations.

The agenda for the meeting, with links to related materials, can be viewed on the Board of Education website.
 

Final Action:  Board Policy FAA, Educational Facilities Planning

On April 12, 2018, the Board tentatively adopted revised Policy FAA, Long-range Educational Facilities Planning, including that the Board consider changing the name of the policy to Educational Facilities Planning. The tentatively adopted policy and a one-page summary of the policy revisions were distributed for public comment. The policy incorporated elements from Board Policy FKB, Sustaining and Modernizing Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Facilities, as well as language from the MGT of America Consulting report relative to the growth management plan for MCPS. Changes to the policy addressed key facility indicators for the assessment process; the overall process of facilities planning; the integration of community input during every stage of the capital budget planning process; and adopted the recommended name change for the policy.  As adopted, Policy FAA, Educational Facilities Planning, reaffirms the Board’s commitment to continuing to provide high-quality facilities that support the educational programming needed to ensure that every MCPS student is well-prepared for success. The Board approved the revised policy.

Read the memorandum to the Board and see the revised policy

Evidence of Learning: End-of-Year Performance Report

The Board received a presentation from MCPS staff and held a discussion on the Evidence of Learning (EOL) End-of-Year performance data for students in Grades 2, 5, 8 and 11. Considered readiness performance data, this information gauges how well students are prepared to advance to the next level: primary to intermediate, intermediate to middle school, and middle school to high school. Students are considered prepared when they meet two out of three categories of measures: classroom, district, and external. The ultimate goal for the district is to graduate students who are college and career ready, carrying the credentials necessary to access credit bearing courses and/or step into a living wage job as they prepare for tomorrow’s complex world and workplace.

The 2017?2018 to 2016?2017 end-of-year data at the aggregate level and by focus groups was compared to determine system progress at each level: elementary school (Grades 2 and 5), middle school (Grade 8), and high school (Grade 11). Performance data relative to EOL and other measures for each individual student are available to schools for the purpose of monitoring student achievement and determining the next steps in instruction, support, and enrichment with the goal of all students meeting EOL.

In May 2018, the Board held a discussion on the need for and the development of a local school equity accountability model. Student learning is complex and multifaceted. Administering a single standardized test, which is the basis of the state’s accountability model, cannot yield a fair and equitable assessment of what students know and are able to do or provide an accurate assessment of the overall effectiveness and impact of a school. Multiple factors contribute to the conditions that maximize student learning and are included in our school equity accountability model. The Montgomery County Public Schools’ (MCPS) Equity Accountability Model will evolve to report on the following components relative to the performance of focus groups: Achievement, Graduation, Progress, English Language Learner and Students with Disabilities, Culture and Climate, and a Priority Focus Area. At this time, MCPS will communicate the Achievement scores for each level. In February 2019, MCPS will share the Graduation Component. The Achievement scores are based on performance of the focus group populations at Grades 2, 5, 8, and 11. The focus populations include Black/African American non-Free and Reduced-price Meals System (FARMS) services and FARMS students; Hispanic/Latino non-FARMS and FARMS students, and All Other FARMS students. MCPS will continue to monitor and report the performance of Asian, White, and All Other non-FARMS students as part of the Equity Accountability Model.

Read the memorandum to the Board

Update on Kirwan Commission Recommendations

The Board received an update and held a discussion on the Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education’s (Kirwan Commission) recommendations. The Kirwan Commission brings together representatives from across the State to review the findings of the Study of Adequacy of Funding for Education in Maryland, hear from national experts on world class education systems, and make recommendations for improving education in Maryland through funding, policies, and resources that will prepare Maryland students to be prepared for postsecondary education and the workforce, and to be successful citizens in the 21st century. The Board’s discussion centered on the work of the four core workgroups that are looking at the following key areas: early childhood education, high quality teachers and leaders, college and career readiness; and providing more resources for at-risk students.  The Board asked the Board’s staff assistant to work with superintendent to respond to the Kirwan Commission’s recommendations, and try to collaborate with the Montgomery County Council and county executive to join in said response to the Kirwan Commission.

Appointment

The Board appoint Mr. Edward A. Clarke as chief safety officer, Department of School Safety and Security, Office of the Chief Operating Officer, effective November 5.  Mr. Clarke is currently the executive director, Maryland Center for School Safety.

Facilities and School Construction

The Board of Education appointed an architectural firm for the Walt Whitman High School addition project and awarded contracts for the Potomac Elementary School revitalization/expansion project.

Recognitions

-The Board approved a resolution in recognition of Maryland Family Engagement Month (October 2018).

-The Board approved a resolution in recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (October 2018)

-The Board approved a resolution in recognition of National Suicide Prevention Week (September 9-15, 2018) and MCPS Mental Health and Wellness Awareness Month (October 2018)

-The Board approved a resolution in recognition of International Walk to School Day (October 10, 2018)

-The Board approved a resolution in recognition of the Educational Systems Federal Credit Union’s donation to the Give BACKpacks campaign.

Future Meetings

The Board of Education will hold its next regular business meeting on Tuesday, October 9, 2018.  Please check the Board of Education website and meeting calendar for further information. 

About the Board of Education
The Montgomery County 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.

Montgomery County Board of Education: Mr. Michael Durso, president; Mrs. Shebra Evans, vice president. Members: Ms. Jeanette E. Dixon, Dr. Judith Docca, Mrs. Patricia O’Neill, Ms. Jill Ortman-Fouse, Mrs. Rebecca Smondrowski, and Ms. Ananya Tadikonda, student member. Dr. Jack R. Smith, superintendent of schools and secretary-treasurer. Office of the Board: 240-740-3030.