CURRICULUM COMMITTEE MEETING
JULY 19, 2007
PRESENT: Mary Gallagher and Michael Hubbard
ABSENT: Kathleen Snooks and Alina Hamilton-Clark
Staff Present: Delacy W. Sanford, Algie Arbee, Sharon Taylor-Cox,
Ranell Williams, Jr., Brian A. Simon, Barbara Baxter,
Carlethia Youmans, Wanda Mouzon, J. Nell Ford, Janis
Woods, Joyce Gerald, Shirley James, Evalina Ladson,
Marva Tigner, Mollie Kadar and Sherry Carroll
1. CALL TO ORDER – Sister Mary Gallagher, Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 12:05 p.m. in the District Office Boardroom, Ridgeland, South Carolina.
2. ROLL CALL – 2P/2A
3. NOTIFICATION OF NEWS MEDIA – The following news media
were notified of the date, time, place and agenda of
this meeting: Jasper County Sun, Hardeeville Today, Beaufort Gazette, Savannah Morning News, The Gullah Sentinel, WSAV, WTOC, WJWJ and WTGS.
4. INVOCATION – Sister Mary led the invocation.
5. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The pledge to the flag was
recited by the committee members and staff present.
6. INTRODUCTION OF TEAM MEMBERS - Dr. Arbee asked each
staff member present to introduce themselves to the Curriculum Committee.
7. GENERAL COMMENTS – DR. DELACY SANFORD, SUPERINTENDENT
Dr. Sanford shared that he will be meeting with the
Board on July 30, 2007 to share his plans and after
that time he will share these with the staff.
8. PROGRAM EXPECTATIONS – DR. AL ARBEE, DEPUTY SUPERIN-
TENDENT OF INSTRUCTION & STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT -
Dr. Arbee shared his expectations with the committee. Teachers need to be provided the appropriate profess-sional development that is ongoing. The Instructional Coaches have been informed of their duties and expec- tations and they need to be in the classroom working with teachers.
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July 19, 2007
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Dr. Arbee shared that he wants everyone to work with the building level administrators to collaborate and encourage the concept of a learning community. The Technology Specialist & Testing Coordinator will be brought in to modify instruction based on test data. Training has been scheduled for the Anderson V Curri-culum for all staff to learn the updates and for any new employees coming into the District.
9. ASSESSMENT DATA & PRE-KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM UPDATE -
Mrs. Joyce Gerald came forward to share the test data
with the Curriculum Committee. She advised them that the test results are still under embargo and will be discussed under the vice of Executive Session. She passed out information to the committee from the State Department but stated that she will collect it after the meeting. This included District-Wide Assessment Data for Summer 2007 for PACT and HSAP.
Mrs. Gerald shared how the PACT scores are reported to the students and parents: advanced, proficient, basic and below basic. Students in grades 3-8 that score below basic on PACT must have an Individual Academic Plan. She shared the PACT scores for grades 4-8 for RES, RMS and WHES for English/Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies. Grade 7 was not included in these results because these scores were not in yet.
She shared descriptions for the HSAP for Achievement Levels 1, 2, 3 and 4 and test score summary informa- tion for grades 9-12 for English/Language Arts and Math. Those students who did not pass the HSAP will not receive a diploma. The Adult Education Director can pick up on these students to work with them.
Dr. Sanford stated that there is a lot of work to be done and not a lot of time to work in. He does not accept student failure and this must be reversed. He has a new philosophy and they will insist on time on task and also look at teachers who are not doing a good job. They will assist teachers to get them up to par. Teachers who do not improve will be removed from the District. He added that they may not see improve-ment next year but he would like the Board to be
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July 19, 2007
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patient because there is a lot to be done and it cannot be done in one year. However, it will be done.
10. REPORTS FROM SCHOOLS - Janis Woods reported on the
number of students already enrolled in the four-year-old programs for both Ridgeland and Hardeeville. They will be starting a waiting list. Screening and home visits will begin on August 20th. Teachers of students that qualify for CDEPP because of Medicaid and free lunch status will be paid for by the State. The pro-gram must follow the Department of Social Services criteria for daycare centers.
There was some discussion about Hispanic students in the program.
Dr. Arbee asked the principals to share their general
plan of action for curriculum in the schools.
Sharon Taylor-Cox, Principal of Ridgeland Elementary, shared that they are looking at the assessments to determine the plan of action. The number one priority is to improve student achievement. Her staff will be attending the training for the Anderson V Curriculum. They will be making sure that students are receiving quality instruction.
Ranell Williams, Jr., Principal of Ridgeland Junior High, stated that the one common denominator is the children. He is not satisfied that everything is working together. He wants to make sure that the best is done for each child, but he does not feel that all of the players are on the same playing field. He would like to get everyone on the same page and move forward.
Brian Simon, Principal of Ridgeland Senior High, shared that he would like to implement a Saturday School.
Barbara Baxter, Principal of Hardeeville Elementary, shared that she would like to start data teams with the grade level teachers to analyze test scores, etc.
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and begin to focus on the areas of weakness. Teachers will be able to collaborate together to monitor this and use the support of their Instructional Coach as well as the Math and Science Coaches. The integration of the curriculum is very important between subject areas and connecting these skills with every day life.
Carlethia Youmans, Principal of Hardeeville Junior/ Senior High, shared that they will be putting teachers in place and meet with them to share information that has been received. The new building not being ready will not be a problem. Professional development for differentiated instruction will be used because every child learns differently. They will be seeking out support from District Office staff and the community.
Sister Mary shared that she is beginning to see a brighter light for the school district and she has a lot of hope after hearing from everyone. She knows that it is a big challenge, but feels that they can meet this challenge with their assistants and the instructional coaches. She is also pleased that Marva Tigner is still involved in the Curriculum Department.
Dr. Arbee stated that he is very pleased with what was shared this morning.
11. OTHER COMMENTS - Cheryl Smith informed Sister Mary that it has been requested that Curriculum Committee meetings be held on the third Thursdays of each month at 12:00 p.m. Sister Mary agreed to reschedule the meetings. The next meeting will be held on August 16, 2007 at 12:00 p.m.
12. ADJOURNMENT - The meeting adjourned at 12:57 p.m.
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Recording Secretary