The Board of Education met on Monday, February 25, and among other items, reviewed an update on M-Stat, a process used to analyze data on student performance. In addition, the Board voted their position on proposed legislation before the Maryland General Assembly and approved a negotiated agreement with the Montgomery County Business and Operations Administrators. The Board also approved the observance of Women's History Month in March.

The M-Stat Process

The Board reviewed an update of M-Stat, a comprehensive process that provides ongoing access to data on student progress toward identified key targets. M-Stat also provides a forum for in-depth analysis of data, monitoring, problem solving, identification and recognition of best practices, action planning, and ultimately systemic change. Seven data points are used to benchmark student academic progress toward college and workforce readiness. They are: Grade K–2 , reading skills; Grade 3, reading on grade level; Grade 5, advanced mathematics participation and performance; Grade 8, Algebra I participation and performance; Secondary level, High School Assessments (HSA)—passing all subjects; Grades 9–12, AP course participation and performance; and Grade 12, SAT score of 1650 or higher.

In December 2007, an M-Stat meeting on Honors and Advanced Placement data, one of the seven key data points, was held with high school principals, high school counselors, the Honors/AP data team, central office staff, and executive leadership. Factors contributing to increasing rigorous coursework for all students were analyzed, targeted action plans for systemic improvement in meeting the MCPS targets were shared, and best practices were documented and disseminated to high schools and central office staff.

During the Board meeting, several team members described how they reviewed trend data regarding strategies that support enrollment of African American and Hispanic students in advanced courses. In addition, a student discussed how the strategies affected her high school educational experience.

Items of Legislation

The Board voted their position on items of legislation affecting education currently before the Maryland General Assembly. (More information is available at www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/boe/. Click on the meeting agenda for February 25, 2008.)

Recommendation to Approve the Agreement with the Montgomery County Business and Operations Administrators

The Board approved the negotiated agreement on salaries, wages, hours, and other working conditions with the Montgomery County Business and Operations Administrators (MCBOA) for the period February 26, 2008, through June 30, 2010. MCBOA is a newly-formed employee organization representing business and operations managers within Montgomery County Public Schools.

Women's History Month

The Board declared March 2008 as Women's History Month in Montgomery County Public Schools, recognizing the school system's commitment to providing learning and working environments that encourage the pursuit of academic and career opportunities for women.

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 Mr. Ben Moskowitz, student member. Dr. Jerry D. Weast, superintendent and secretary-treasurer. Office of the Board: 301-279-3617.

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 county-wide but run at-large or from the Board district in which they reside.