The Montgomery County Board of Education (Board) met on Tuesday, May 8, 2018, at Carver Educational Services Center, 850 Hungerford Drive in Rockville. During the meeting, the Board discussed Montgomery County Public Schools’ (MCPS) school accountability model and received an update on Career and Technology Education (CTE) in MCPS.

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

School Accountability Model

The Board of Education (Board) held a discussion on MCPS’ school accountability model. The purpose of the district’s accountability model is to ensure high quality teaching and learning at every school in MCPS. School accountability includes the creation of rigorous academic standards, the development of student progress monitoring tools, the implementation of student assessments, and the appropriate analysis and action plans based on those results.

Given the changes in accountability and state assessment in the past decade, schools and school systems cannot solely rely on a single measure and external accountability systems. In anticipation of a new state accountability model which relies on a single assessment, MCPS initiated an Evidence of Learning (EOL) Framework that outlines multiple measures of student success throughout the kindergarten through Grade 12 education continuum. This framework includes classroom, district, and external measures. The EOL framework aligns with and expands on the accountability model that Maryland is creating and will implement during the 2018–2019 school year.

MCPS employs a multiple measures approach to answer these questions as students move through the critical milestone levels—primary to intermediate, intermediate to middle school, middle school to high school, and high school to their future. With the goal of career and college readiness for all students in mind, the use of multiple measures ensures that student achievement monitoring includes classroom and district measures as well as external measures. These data enable the district to understand the many factors that impact a student’s learning journey and help illuminate what is required to improve student achievement. EOL was established to determine if students are learning and learning enough; to implement a student data system K–12 to enable teachers to monitor student progress, analyze results, and inform instruction; and to inform the development of a personalized professional development system that uses an online platform to provide timely support to teachers based on student needs.

Read the memorandum to the Board

Career Readiness Update

The Board received an update from MCPS staff and held a discussion on the work the district has been engaged in to strengthen career and technology education. On September 12, 2017, the Board discussed the results of the external review, Preparing All Students for Economic & Career Success, a comprehensive report of Career and Technology Education (CTE) in MCPS conducted January through June 2017, by Education Strategy Group (ESG). The program review addressed the following two objectives:
 

• Gather and analyze data to evaluate the current state of CTE programs.
• Work with MCPS staff to develop strategic recommendations for an action plan for program improvements within available financial resources to increase the number of students who complete CTE programs and are effectively prepared for high-demand fields of employment and non-remedial postsecondary education.

Significant work has been completed following the presentation of the ESG report to the Board in September 2017. There have been extensive efforts to engage stakeholders for the purpose of developing a multiyear action plan. While developing the plan, staff has worked to address those recommendations that could be implemented immediately. This has resulted in the addition of several new high-interest, market-driven programs as well as increased career readiness communication and marketing. Staff will finalize the multiyear action plan in the coming months and will continue to use the ESG report as a catalyst to enhance the important work of ensuring that each of our students is ready for college, careers, and a productive future.

Read the memorandum to the Board

Administrative Appointments

The Board of Education approved the following administrative appointments:

Elizabeth L. Thomas, currently Director of School Support and Improvement of Middle Schools, Office of School Support and Improvement, as Principal, Quince Orchard High School

Matthew A. Devan, currently Director of School Support and Improvement of Elementary Schools, Office of School Support and Improvement, as Principal, Twinbrook Elementary School

Recognitions

The Board approved the following resolutions:

• a resolution recognizing the recipient of the Superintendent’s Annual Mark Mann Excellence and Harmony Award
• a resolution recognizing the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) scholarship award winners;
• a resolution recognizing the League of Educators for Asian American Progress Scholarship Recipients; and
• a resolution recognizing May 14-18, 2018, as Pupil Personnel Worker Week

Facilities and School Construction

The Board appointed architectural firms for the Montgomery Knolls Elementary School addition project and the Pine Crest Elementary School addition project.

Future Meetings

The Board of Education will hold its next regular business meeting on Monday, May 21, 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 Mr. Matthew Post, student member. Dr. Jack R. Smith, superintendent of schools and secretary-treasurer. Office of the Board: 240-740-3030.