LINCOLN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

BOARD OF EDUCATION

1.

OPENING PROCEDURES

Notice of the time and place of the meeting of the Lincoln Board of Education was given

by mail to the following news media: Television Stations KOLN, KLKN, KETV, KPTM,

WOWT and KMTV; Radio Stations KFOR, KLIN, KRNU, and to the

LINCOLN

JOURNAL STAR

and

OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

newspapers. A public notice was

published in the

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by the Board President, Mr. Keith Prettyman, at

7:06 p.m., Tuesday, March 11, 2008, at the Lincoln Public Schools District Offices.

Roll Call

Upon calling the roll, the following Members were:

Present:

Ms. Baier, Mrs. Danek, Mrs. Larsen, Mr. Mayhew,

Mr. Meginnis, Dr. Zimmer, Mr. Prettyman

Absent:

None

Staff in Attendance

Also meeting with the Board were:

Dr. E. Susan Gourley, Secretary of the Board and Superintendent of

Lincoln Public Schools

Mr. James Gessford, Attorney for the Board

Dr. Marilyn Moore, Associate Superintendent for Instruction

Mr. Dennis Van Horn, Associate Superintendent for Business Affairs

Dr. Nancy Biggs, Associate Superintendent for Human Resources

Dr. Virgil Horne, Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent for

Governmental Relations

Dr. David Myers, Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent for

General Administration and Communication

A list of other people in attendance is set forth in Report File No. MM-146.

Announce Open Meetings Act Posting

The Lincoln Board of Education makes available at least one current copy of the Open

Meetings Act posted in the meeting room at a location accessible to members of the

---

2

3-11-08

public. At the beginning of this meeting, the Board President announced and informed

the public about the location of the posted information.

Approval of Minutes

The February 26, 2008, minutes of the Lincoln Board of Education meeting were

approved as distributed.

SPECIAL REPORTS, PRESENTATIONS, AND CELEBRATIONS OF

2.

NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION

Mr. Mayhew read the resolution to be adopted by the Board to Southwest teacher

Ms. Nila Jacobson upon her recent award from the National Board for Professional

Teaching Standards.

Ms. Jacobson indicated that she is was very grateful for this resolution, and for being a

product of LPS. She stated that she has had the benefit of the District as an

undergraduate and now as a teacher for about 22 years. Ms. Jacobson added that she

is looking forward to helping more teachers reach this certification. She introduced

members of her family present in the audience – her husband and her son, who is an

East High graduate – and advised that her daughter, an 8th grade Lux student, was

participating in a festival choir at Nebraska Wesleyan this evening.

Mr. Mayhew moved, Mrs. Danek seconded

That the Board adopt the following resolution:

WHEREAS Nila Jacobson has attained National Board Certification by the

National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, and

WHEREAS Jacobson has demonstrated professional skills, knowledge,

and accomplishments, and the National Board for Professional Teaching

Standards has recognized her highly accomplished practices, and

WHEREAS Jacobson has been judged by her peers as a teacher who has

met high and rigorous professional teaching standards,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Lincoln Board of Education

does hereby congratulate Nila Jacobson on National Board Certification by

the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, and does hereby

thank her for her dedication to professional excellence.

---

3

3-11-08

Roll Call:

Ayes:

Mr. Meginnis, Dr. Zimmer, Ms. Baier,

Mrs. Danek, Mrs. Larsen, Mr. Mayhew,

Mr. Prettyman

Nays:

None

Motion carried.

SPECIAL REPORTS, PRESENTATIONS, AND CELEBRATIONS OF

3.

NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION

Dr. Zimmer read the resolution to be adopted by the Board to Lincoln High teacher

Ms. Becky McLaughlin upon her recent award from the National Board for Professional

Teaching Standards.

Ms. McLaughlin thanked the Board for the recognition, indicating that she is very happy

to be with LPS. She thanked the Board for recognizing teachers who go through the

national certification process. Ms. McLaughlin introduced members of her family

present in the audience – her husband, her mother-in-law, and her father-in-law.

Dr. Zimmer moved, Mr. Meginnis seconded

That the Board adopt the following resolution:

WHEREAS Becky McLaughlin has attained National Board Certification by

the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, and

WHEREAS McLaughlin has demonstrated professional skills, knowledge,

and accomplishments, and the National Board for Professional Teaching

Standards has recognized her highly accomplished practices, and

WHEREAS McLaughlin has been judged by her peers as a teacher who has

met high and rigorous professional teaching standards,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Lincoln Board of Education

does hereby congratulate Becky McLaughlin on National Board

Certification by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards,

and does hereby thank her for her dedication to professional excellence.

Roll Call:

Ayes:

Dr. Zimmer, Ms. Baier, Mrs. Danek,

Mrs. Larsen, Mr. Mayhew, Mr. Meginnis,

Mr. Prettyman

Nays:

None

Motion carried.

---

4

PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS

There were no speakers at this portion of the meeting.

2.

HUMAN RESOURCES MATTERS

Human Resources matters, as set forth in Report File No. MM-147, were presented.

Dr. Zimmer noted a correction to the Step for the 7th employee listed on Page 21 of the

agenda; it should be MA-01, rather than BA-01.

3.

Claims/Wire Transfers

Claims were presented for the periods ending February 20, February 26, February 27,

March 4, and March 11, 2008, and wire transfers were presented of: insurance ACH

transfer-$12,155.51; federal tax ACH deposit-$4,379,631.03; procurement card ACH

transfer-$84,582.75; Office Depot-$22,470.80; and vendor ACH transfer-$16,552.61. A

copy of the claims is set forth in Report File No. MM-148.

Payroll

Payroll was presented for the period ending February 29, 2008, in the amount of

$11,718,741.65.

Gifts

Gifts were presented of: $325 from Home Real Estate Employees for Hartley field trips;

books from Kelli Holloway, and from Katie Williams, for the Kahoa media center; and

$1,000 from Scholarship America for Roper field trips.

Bids and Contract Discussed at Prior Meeting or Under $500,000

Bids and a contract discussed at the Board’s prior meeting or which are under

$500,000, as set forth in Report File No. MM-149, were presented.

Future Bids

A listing of opening dates for future bids in excess of $25,000 was presented, as set

forth in Report File No. MM-150.

6.

LATE REQUEST FOR ENROLLMENT OPTION OUT 2007-08

A request was presented from an LPS student who wishes to attend another school

district as an option student for the current school year. The application was received

after the March 15, 2007, deadline. However, the Board has the authority to waive that

---

5

3-11-08

deadline. Staff recommended that the deadline be waived and that Student Number

177885 be allowed to option out.

7.

RECOMMEND APPROVAL

A request was presented for a student who lives in another school district to attend LPS

as an option student for the current school year. The application was received after the

August 17, 2007, deadline established by the Board in its option resolution, adopted in

February, 2007. Also in that resolution were standards under which students would be

accepted after the deadline. Staff recommended adoption of the following resolution:

WHEREAS the student who has been assigned Student Number 244664 (for

purposes of confidentiality, an assigned number is being used) has filed an

application for option enrollment after the August 17, 2007, deadline, and0

WHEREAS Student Number 244664 is the sibling of a student currently enrolled

in Lincoln Public Schools, and

WHEREAS the student assigned the number of 244664 meets the criteria for

acceptance of late-filed applications as set forth in the Board resolution of

February 27, 2007,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the aforementioned student be accepted

as an option student on the condition and with the express understanding that all

programs, all classes and all buildings of assignment, except as otherwise

required by law, shall at all times and from time to time during attendance at

Lincoln Public Schools be determined solely by Lincoln Public Schools.

Dr. Zimmer moved, Mrs. Larsen seconded

That the Board approve Consent Items 4, 5, 6, and 7 on this evening’s agenda.

Roll Call:

Ayes:

Ms. Baier, Mrs. Danek, Mrs. Larsen,

Mr. Mayhew, Mr. Meginnis, Dr. Zimmer,

Mr. Prettyman

Nays:

None

Motion carried.

---

6

8.

SEACREST COMPLEX FIELD HOUSE DESIGN

Dr. Zimmer, Chair of the Board’s Planning Committee, serving with Mrs. Danek and

Mr. Meginnis, reminded the Board that it previously received information on the plans

for the field house to be constructed at the Seacrest Complex, made possible by the

wonderful gift from Ed and Mary Copple, accepted by the Board in February. He

advised that the Planning Committee has reviewed the plans for the field house and

presents the project to the Board. In the hopes of opening the complex this fall,

Dr. Zimmer indicated that he hopes the Board will agree to move this project to action at

tonight’s meeting.

Mr. Mayhew moved, Ms. Baier seconded

That the Board move this agenda item to action, and approve the Seacrest

Complex field house plans.

Mrs. Larsen noted that the size of the facility is 10,000 square feet, and it will have the

potential for handling teams coming in to play games, as well as the teams that are

leaving, simultaneously. Mr. Van Horn agreed, adding that there will be enough locker

space for 65-70 players, which would accommodate most teams.

Mrs. Larsen expressed gratitude for the generosity of the Lincoln family who gave the

gift and who has been involved with the schools for decades. She added that this

facility will make a huge difference for students.

Mrs. Danek observed that this facility will be more than a football locker room. It will

also have the opportunity to be used for training coaches. Mr. Van Horn agreed,

reporting that the space will be designed as multi-functional space. There will be two

locker rooms, which will be equipped with white boards and screens, which could be

used for coaches’ meetings or staff development opportunities. The facility will also be

added to the list of rental facilities for the District. Mr. Van Horn added that the complex

will house a training room for preparation of athletes and treating injuries. This training

room will be utilized by the entire Seacrest Complex.

Roll Call:

Ayes:

Mrs. Danek, Mrs. Larsen, Mr. Mayhew,

Mr. Meginnis, Dr. Zimmer, Ms. Baier,

Mr. Prettyman

Nays:

None

Motion carried.

---

7

9.

EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM APPLICATION

Dr. Moore presented information on an Early Childhood Grant application to the

Nebraska Department of Education, in the amount of $120,000. Matching funds of

$100,000 would be provided through Title I pre-school. In partnership with the Lincoln

City Libraries and El Centro do Las Americas, the grant would provide high quality

services to 32 children in 2 bilingual center-based programs to be located at Everett

Elementary School. The children and their families would receive family literacy and

cultural support through these partnerships, and the program would ensure that the

Latino child enters a formal school setting with the same learning advantages as other

children.

10.

DEMONSTRATION GRANT APPLICATION FOR INDIAN CHILDREN

Dr. Moore presented information on the Early Childhood Demonstration Grant

application for Indian Children, to be submitted to the U. S. Department of Education, in

the amount of $250,000 per year for four years, dependent upon final funding. The

program does not involve cost sharing or matching. The emphasis of this innovative

grant program would be an early childhood program, including family-based preschool

programs that stress school readiness and parental skills. The goal would be to provide

age and culturally appropriate educational programs and language skills to three and

four-year-old Indian students to prepare them for successful entry into school at the

kindergarten level.

11.

GOVERNOR’S

SAFE

AND

DRUG-FREE

SCHOOLS

COMMUNITIES GRANT

Dr. Moore presented information on the Governor’s Safe and Drug-Free School

Communities Grant application, to the U. S. Department of Education, for the amount of

$40,000 for one year, dependent upon final funding. The program does not involve cost

sharing or matching. The grant would serve students attending Lincoln Northeast who

are transitioning in and out of high school due to drug/alcohol placement programs,

those students who have been referred to the SCIP program, and those students who

are at-risk of dropping out due to drug/alcohol related problems. The grant would fund a

Community Treatment Transition Specialist who would provide staff development

opportunities in the areas of strategies to help students and their families, drug/alcohol

awareness, and ways to assist identified students.

Mr. Mayhew moved, Mr. Meginnis seconded

That the Board move the previous three grants on this evening’s agenda to

action, and approve submission of the Early Childhood Grant application for two

additional classes in the amount of $120,000; approve submission of the Early

Childhood Demonstration Grant application for Indian Children for the amount of

$250,000 per year for four years ($1,000,000 total), dependent upon final funding;

---

8

3-11-08

and approve submission of the Governor’s Safe and Drug-Free Schools and

Communities Grant application for the amount of $40,000 for one year, dependent

upon final funding.

Roll Call:

Ayes:

Mrs. Larsen, Mr. Mayhew, Mr. Meginnis,

Dr. Zimmer, Ms. Baier, Mrs. Danek,

Mr. Prettyman

Nays:

None

Motion carried.

12.

OPTION ENROLLMENT STUDENTS 2008-09

Dr. Moore presented a resolution for the Board’s discussion, as set forth in Report File

No. MM-151. The resolution would admit as option students any K-12 student for the

2008-09 school year who meets the statutory and legal conditions and whose

application is received by August 15, 2008.

The resolution also specifies the

circumstances under which late-filed applications would be accepted. Dr. Moore

advised that the filing deadline set forth in state statute is March 15, but this resolution

would set the deadline at August 15, which is the Friday before school starts on the

following Wednesday. Except for the date changes, Dr. Moore reported that there is no

change in the language of the resolution.

Mrs. Danek emphasized that the applications must be received by the District by August

15, not postmarked by August 15.

Mr. Prettyman observed that most everyone knows that he is not a great fan of option

enrollment. He stated, however, that to the extent the District will have room, given

what the Legislature is considering, LPS could receive more state aid for option

students than for its own students. He advised that the option enrollment resolution will

be returned to the Board for action at its next meeting.

From Board Committees

INDOOR AIR QUALITY (IAQ) IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (TEN-YEAR

FACILITIES PLAN)

The programming and design for the Lincoln East High School indoor air quality

improvement project, as set forth in the District’s Ten-Year Facilities Plan, was

presented from the Board’s Planning Committee.

---

9

3-11-08

Dr. Zimmer (for the Planning Committee) moved, Mrs. Larsen seconded

That the Board approve the program and design for the Lincoln East High School

project, based on the Planning Committee’s recommendation.

Mrs. Danek noted that East still has the old-style bleachers that one can fall through.

She asked if there is any plan to replace those bleachers. Mr. Van Horn advised that

funds to do so are not included in this bond project, but staff is looking at other sources

for replacing the bleachers, or phasing in new bleachers.

Mrs. Larsen asked if the architects or contractor met with the East parent organization.

Mr. Van Horn reported that there have been a couple of meetings with parents, and

another is scheduled for tomorrow evening.

Roll Call:

Ayes:

Mr. Mayhew, Mr. Meginnis, Dr. Zimmer,

Ms. Baier, Mrs. Danek, Mrs. Larsen,

Mr. Prettyman

Nays:

None

Motion carried.

14.

REQUEST FOR CLOSED SESSION

Mr. Prettyman advised that the Board had no need to hold a closed session this

evening.

ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA

There were no items removed from this evening’s Consent agenda.

EXPEDITED/EMERGENCY ACTIONS

There were no emergency items presented at this meeting.

15.

GOVENMENTAL RELATIONS

Ms. Baier, Chair of the Board’s Legislative Committee, requested that Dr. Horne report

on recent activities at the State Legislature.

---

10

3-11-08

Dr. Horne reported that there are interesting things currently going on at the Legislature.

Tomorrow the results of the Appropriations Committee bill, dealing with educational

funding will be known. The Appropriations Committee was given the assignment of

balancing the budget. It came up with a number, and then drafted a bill that would

accomplish that number. Dr. Horne advised that the committee took various parts of

LB 988, but he is unable to tell the Board what the Appropriations Committee bill looks

like, as it will not be available until 9:00 a.m. tomorrow.

Dr. Horne expressed concern that a very unusual precedence will be set because the

Appropriations Committee will be establishing statutes to balance the budget on

materials that are usually handled by another committee; in this case, the Education

Committee.

Dr. Horne reported that there were meetings today with the chairs of both of those

committees and the Speaker, and he should have a better understanding of where

things are tomorrow. He noted that tomorrow is day 40 of the Legislature. By statute,

the budget has to be established by that time.

Dr. Horne advised that at one time, the rumor was that the bill from the Appropriations

Committee would take less money out of TEEOSA than the bill from the Education

Committee. However, late this afternoon, he heard that this was no longer the case.

Dr. Horne reported that in his efforts to reduce the impact to LPS, especially in the area

of the local effort rate going down, he has talked to people about the prospects of doing

this over a two-year period of time, taking away 2.5 cents this year, and 2.5 cents next

year. Whether that has gained any momentum, he doesn’t know at this time.

Dr. Horne advised that the bill dealing directly with Lincoln’s ESU is being discussed in

committee, but not passed out of committee. However, it’s likely that LB 1154, or the

amendment, will come out of committee. This bill addresses many things dealing with

learning communities and the interaction of the ESU with the learning community. It

indicates that a single district’s ESU, which means Lincoln and Omaha, would only be

able to levy a property tax through the year 2013. Dr. Horne emphasized that it’s not

saying the ESU in Lincoln has to have other school districts in it, but after 2012-13, if

ESU 18 doesn’t have another school district in it, it would no longer be able to levy a

property tax. Dr. Horne advised that the bill also says that the language requiring the

continuation of ESUs 18 and 19 as single-district ESUs would be deleted. In current

statute, it says that ESU 18 would be coordinated by the LPS Board of Education and

would be the LPS District. That language would be removed, if the bill is passed as

amended by Amendment 2255.

Mr. Prettyman observed that the Board has not publicly talked about what the projected

impact of LB 988 would be to LPS.

Dr. Horn advised that recertification is not a result of LB 988, but more a result of the

Forecasting Board making the forecast that it has. He reported that he has been

hearing that the projections will be higher for the months of March and April than the

Forecasting Board previously said, but he is also hearing that the bottom will drop out

even worse than predicted. Regarding what happened to Lincoln on the recertification,

Dr. Horne advised that it would mean a very large reduction in state aid. Mr. Van Horn

advised that it’s a reduction of a little over $18 million.

---

11

3-11-08

Mr. Prettyman noted that Lincoln would lose $18 million and Omaha would lose

$3 million. He asked why this is not a part of LB 988. Dr. Horne advised that the

Appropriations Committee has said that the TEOSA aid to education would go up

17 percent, and it was going to cut that in half. And, he indicated that Mr. Prettyman is

correct in part because if it takes the full 5 cents from the local effort rate. One cent of

LPS valuation amount currently generates about $1.75 million. Therefore, there is a

relationship to LB 988. Dr. Horne added that the absence of Finance Director

Mr. Tim Kemper makes it difficult for to him to explain why there is a difference.

Mr. Prettyman indicated that the Board believes there is some combination of the local

effort rate, but using actual valuation, as opposed to adjusted valuation. He stated that

the only explanation he has heard for using actual valuation, instead of adjusted

valuation, is that it’s easier to determine. Therefore, he assumes that expediency is

winning out over fairness. Mr. Prettyman noted that unlike the Lancaster County

Assessor, other counties are doing less than what is called for by statute and will,

therefore, benefit, while Lancaster is going to lose. He stated that he simply doesn’t

understand how this can be possible.

Mr. Van Horn noted that in large part, what Dr. Horne is saying is that, to some extent,

LB 988 is a little more severe than it would have been if the economic forecast had not

been so doom and gloom. He stated that TEEOSA is $800 million-plus of the budget.

The Legislature sees the forecast being so bad that it feels there is a major need to tap

state aid.

Mr. Prettyman stated that if it were only that, and there weren’t the changes that are

being seen in LB 988, then what would be seen is a pro-rata reduction for all school

districts.

Regarding the issue of adjusted valuation, Mr. Van Horn advised that part of what

Senator Raikes and the Education Committee have been pressed to do is to simplify the

state aid formula. One of the ways to do that is to move away from adjusted valuation.

Mr. Van Horn reported that Senator Raikes’ and the Education Committee’s response to

the issue of some assessors not assessing within state statute is that it’s not a function

of the state aid formula. That’s a function of state statute and they need to abide by the

state statute. However, that doesn’t mean those assessors are going to because they

haven’t been.

Mr. Van Horn agreed with Mr. Prettyman that the process is to simplify the formula and

it’s based on their statute that says all assessors need to be assessing within a certain

range. He added that the two major hits that LPS is taking in the reduction in the

February 1 certified state aid from approximately $23 million to $18 million, are (1) the

change in the local effort rate, and (2) the move away from adjusted valuation.

Mr. Van Horn observed that this is a double whammy for a county where the Assessor

is assessing high value, as he’s supposed to, versus counties at the lower end. As

such, LPS will be taking a major hit in that reduction. He added that he thinks it’s only

fair to say that the Education Committee’s view of that is that you can’t compare what

the Department of Education is modeling as your potential re-certified amount to the

February 1 amount, but you have to compare it to last year. The committee will point

out that Lincoln’s state aid, compared to the current year’s state aid, will increase by

$4 million.

---

12

3-11-08

Mr. Prettyman noted, however, that knowing LPS’ increases by $4 million as compared

to last year, those that are benefitting from having low actual valuations, are increasing

significantly more than that $4 million. Mr. Van Horn stated that if everything were

equal, that is the desired effect of equalization. However, the problem is that the factors

all going into that are not equal because of the lower assessed valuation in some

counties. Mr. Prettyman added that this is why there was previously adjusted valuation.

Mr. Van Horn agreed, stating that it would seem that if there is a failure to meet state

statute in assessment, they would address what is not being met.

Dr. Horne reported that Senator Raikes has stated publicly that he has been talked to

by many school districts across the state because the opposite effect was happening to

them. While they were only able to tax 92 percent of the value of the property, they

were being held accountable for 100 percent. They saw being held accountable for

8 percent of the money they never received as a shortfall.

Mr. Prettyman noted, however, that adjusted valuation was not 100 percent, so that

argument falls on deaf ears as far as he is concerned. Dr. Horne stated that the deaf

ears are not in the Legislature because this was the argument that was made and was

presented.

Mr. Prettyman stated that what has been presented in LB 988 is a travesty, if the

Legislature wants equalization statewide. He noted that the assessment statute not

being enforced has been happening for years.

Mr. Van Horn advised that staff is meeting with Department of Education staff this week,

and will have a full analysis of LB 988 for the Board next week, including the dollar

amount of reductions and what caused those reductions.

Mr. Prettyman noted that it’s very strange that Lancaster County senators would vote in

favor of what’s been proposed.

16.

MIDDLE SCHOOL REPORT CARD UPDATE

Dr. Moore presented a sample of the new middle school report card, as set forth in

Report File No. MM-152. She noted that, like the school calendar, staff is always in

search of the perfect report card. Dr. Moore introduced those working on this effort,

including: Curriculum Director Dr. Barb Jacobson, Mickle Principal Mr. John Neal, and

Mickle teacher Mr. Dan Schafer. Dr. Moore advised that Mickle was the first school to

field-test the new middle school report card. She advised that a brochure about the

report card has been provided to the Board.

Dr. Jacobson provided a PowerPoint presentation to the Board. She reviewed the

District conversations regarding assessment and report cards, as follows:

- Standards and what students should know and be able to do.

- Instruction and what strategies best help the student to learn the curriculum.

---

13

3-11-08

- Assessment and how do we know what students know and can do. What do

we do if they know it, and what do we do if they don’t know it (re-teaching, re-

learning, and re-testing)?

- Grading and how do we report to parents and students how students are

achieving?

Dr. Jacobson reviewed the two questions that must be asked, as follows:

- How confident am I that the grades students get in my classroom/school are

consistent, accurate, meaningful, and that they support learning?

- How confident am I that the grades I assign students accurately reflect my

school’s/District’s content standards and desired learning outcomes?

(As used by Ken O’Connor, one of the experts whose materials were used in the

committee’s process.)

Dr. Jacobson reviewed what the conversations and questions led to, as follows:

- Development of a new middle school report card.

- Based on similar thinking that is reflected in the elementary report card.

- Providing information to parents and students about academic performance,

work/study habits, and social behavioral skills.

Dr. Jacobson presented a quote from R. J. Marazano, one of the experts whose

materials were used in the committee’s process, as follows:

“In an ideal grading system, effort, behavior, and attendance would not be

included with academic achievement in an overall grade.”

Dr. Jacobson presented information on the new report card’s grading areas, as follows:

Academic Performance

- This mark represents what a student knows and is able to do, as defined by the

curriculum, standards, and objectives of the course.

- Graded by A-F or Commendable, Satisfactory, and Needs Improvement,

depending on course.

- Curriculum, Standards, and Objectives (CSO) – grade based on expectations of

the course.

- Individual (IND) – grade based on student’s individual objectives.

- Incomplete (INC) – mark given when student has not yet fulfilled the

requirements of the course.

Work Study/Habits

- Important predictors of achievement.

- Impact mastery of course content, but are evaluated separately.

- Marks determined by nine indicators: listens, follows oral and written directions,

is on task, participates in class, strives for quality work, seeks help as necessary,

completes assignments on time, is organized, and comes to class prepared.

- Marks are Commendable (always or consistently), Satisfactory (usually), or

---

14

3-11-08

Needs Improvement (interfering with learning).

Social/Behavioral Skills

- Reflects how the student is doing socially (Character Education).

- Marks determined by six indicators: accepts consequences for actions taken,

demonstrates self-discipline and control, follows school and classroom rules,

demonstrates responsible decision-making skills, demonstrates a positive

attitude toward self and others, and interacts with others appropriately.

- Marks are Commendable (always or consistently), Satisfactory (usually), or

Needs Improvement (interfering with learning).

Dr. Jacobson reviewed an example of the new middle school report card.

Dr. Jacobson reviewed what determines the academic performance grade, as follows:

- Assessments are used to determine the academic grade on the report card.

This tells parents what the student has learned at a particular point in time.

- Assessments can be tests, quizzes, reports, daily assignments, projects,

performances, or conferences. The teacher decides the format in which he/she

will assess what the student knows and can do.

- The academic performance grade is not based solely on tests.

Dr. Jacobson reviewed how homework fits into the grading process, as follows:

- Homework is important.

- Homework can be given for two different purposes.

- One type of homework assignment is for practice. Students are learning a new

skill or concept. The teachers give feedback to the student that will support their

learning and indicate if there is a need for further instruction. This type of

homework is not used for the academic grade.

- The other type of homework is for evaluation. Students have completed a unit

of study and the teacher is evaluating what the student knows and is able to do.

This homework would be used for the academic grade.

Dr. Jacobson presented a quote from L. Ainsworth and D. Virgut, educational experts,

as follows:

“In fairness to students, grades should represent the degree to which students

have achieved proficiency relative to the standards by the

conclusion

of

instruction and related learning opportunities.”

Dr. Jacobson provided information on the middle school implementation plan, as

follows:

- In the fall of 2007, Mickle Middle School piloted the new web-based report card.

- Second quarter, Lefler, Park, and Scott middle schools jointed the pilot.

- During second semester, Goodrich and Pound began to use the new report

card.

- Starting in the fall of 2008, Culler, Irving, Lux, and Dawes will start using the

new report card.

---

15

3-11-08

Mr. Neal talked about the conversations between middle schools principals about the

new report card, with the goal by next fall to have the best grading system in place to

support student achievement. He reported that reporting to parents on three areas now

takes place more regularly, and there is more chance for any needed intervention. He

added that doing this on line is much more efficient and most teachers feel comfortable

and find it is easier.

Mr. Neal talked about the three areas on which students are graded: academics,

work/study habits, and social behavior. He advised that now that they are distinct

categories, there is more useful information provided to parents every three weeks. The

majority of teachers feel the split-grades report is doing a better job of representing

achievement and the majority feel more comfortable explaining the grades to parents.

Mr. Neal provided examples of three students’ grades under the old grading system and

the new grading system, noting that the new system takes the grades and match the

students’ abilities, and all staff know where students are in their academic performance.

Mr. Neal advised that all middle schools have different series of interventions. He

talked about the interventions available to students at Mickle. He reported that because

of the new report card’s efficiency, Mickle has decreased D and F grades by 25 percent.

Mr. Neal talked about the role of middle school – to help the child move to adulthood.

He indicated that, over time, students come to realize the importance of homework and

practice, and the relationship between practice and performance.

Mr. Shafer provided information on how all of this plays out with individual classrooms.

He indicated that the academic grade reflects what a student has learned and is able to

do. The summative and assessment areas are clear, and the grade is not penalized by

a student’s work/study habits or attitude. Students understand, however, that the latter

impacts their grades. Mr. Shafer talked about the formative assessments, which give

teachers a clear picture of what students know and don’t know. They use the data from

the formative assessments to re-teach what is needed.

Mr. Shafer reviewed the effects of the work/study habits grade, advising that the

communication with parents about this grade has been fantastic. He added that

students now take more ownership in their study habits.

Mr. Shafer talked about the many interventions being done at Mickle. He indicated that

students understand that not doing their homework will lower their grade.

Mr. Shafer talked about students’ social/behavior skills, which is another communication

piece with parents. He advised that parents are just as interested in this grade, as

classroom management impacts academics.

Mr. Shafer reported that the three categories of grades have helped him as a classroom

teacher. He knows what students are learning and what they need in order to be

successful.

Mr. Mayhew indicated that he likes separating out the grades so report cards are more

meaningful. If a student had an A as a CSO, and an A has an IND, he asked how he,

as a parent, would feel comfortable that the IND is really an A. Mr. Neal reported that

---

16

3-11-08

the parents would have been involved in an IEP meeting for the student and would have

helped decide which it should be – CSO or IND.

Mr. Mayhew asked if IND always means there is an IEP for the student. Mr. Neal

replied no, but it means there is some type of individualized plan and the parent is

involved.

If the academic performance is not always based on tests, Mr. Mayhew asked if this is

because all students are not good test takers. Dr. Jacobson replied yes; not all

students are good test takers, and there are other ways to assess students.

Mr. Mayhew asked if a student would be provided with alternative assessment.

Dr. Jacobson responded yes, if the teacher feels they know the content, but do not test

well. Mr. Neal reported that they have talked with teachers about having many different

ways to assess students’ abilities, and they also work on this in staff development.

Mr. Mayhew asked if the new report card is strictly building level implementation.

Dr. Jacobson answered no, because they do meet with middle level principals about

these issues. There are also Curriculum Specialists involved. She emphasized that it’s

a District-wide decision on how to do it.

Regarding homework, Mr. Mayhew asked how students know if it is practice or graded

homework. Mr. Neal reported that it is described by the teacher sharing what it should

look like if it were done well. They want students to have a very clear picture of what

they should be working toward. They will practice it three-four times before it is graded.

He added that at first students expressed confusion about which homework

assignments were graded, but now it is clearer. As work continues with other middle

schools, Mr. Neal expressed confidence that this will get better.

Mr. Mayhew asked if there is room for narrative comments from teachers on the report

card. Dr. Jacobson advised that there are 99 comments that teachers may access on

the website. However, there is no place for web-based free entry comments. These,

however, can be added to the report card. Dr. Jacobson noted that there is a narrative

report card for some special education students.

Mr. Mayhew asked about the window for teachers to do their web-entry grading.

Mr. Neal advised that it is about three days, and it is much easier than the previous

method.

Under Mr. Neal’s examples of three students, Mr. Mayhew noted that all three students

would receive a passing grade under the old report card, but under the new report card,

one would be failing. He observed that the student would be doing the same work, but