The Board of Education met on Tuesday [December 14] and, among other items, approved the school calendar for the 2005-2006 school year. The Board also reviewed the first annual report of Our Call to Action: Pursuit of Excellence and discussed an update on the Teacher Centered Model for automated student assessments. An administrative appointment and approval of preliminary plans for additions to Farmland and Lois P. Rockwell elementary schools also were among Board actions. The Board recognized the achievements of Carderock Springs Elementary School, named a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence for 2004, and Viers Mill Elementary School, named a Maryland Blue Ribbon School of Excellence for 2004.

School Calendar for 2005-2006

The Board approved a calendar for the 2005-2006 school year based on 184 instructional days for students and 192 duty days for teachers. The school year will begin on Monday, August 29, 2005, the Monday before Labor Day. The last day of classes for students will be on Wednesday, June 14, 2006. The Board also approved a school contingency calendar for use if the school year is disrupted by emergencies and schools are closed. Contingencies could extend the school year for up to five days until June 21, 2006. See links below for the full calendar in English and Spanish.

Annual Report of Our Call to Action: Pursuit of Excellence

The Board reviewed the first annual report of Our Call to Action: Pursuit of Excellence that provides a comprehensive presentation of performance data linked directly to the strategic plan for the school system.

Update on the Teacher Centered Model

The Board reviewed the five key automated assessments that are part of the Teacher Centered Model (TCM). The technology-enhanced reading assessments are designed to simplify the work of teachers and principals in diagnosing and monitoring students' academic progress. After initial successful field testing, systemwide implementation has been planned that will enable teachers to use handheld devices to administer reading assessments in all elementary schools by September 2005.

Appointment

The Board approved the following administrative appointment:

· Sharon F. Gooding, currently attorney, University Legal Services, Washington, D.C., as assistant attorney, Department of Special Education

Preliminary Plan, Farmland Elementary School Addition

The Board approved preliminary plans for an addition to Farmland Elementary School.

Preliminary Plan, Lois P. Rockwell Elementary School Gymnasium

The Board approved preliminary plans for a gymnasium addition to Lois P. Rockwell Elementary School.

National Blue Ribbon School - Carderock Springs Elementary School

The Board recognized Carderock Springs Elementary School as one of 206 elementary schools nationwide named a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence for 2004. The school was recognized for academic excellence and this year is the highest scoring school in Maryland on the 2004 Maryland School Assessment (MSA), with proficiency levels of 98.2 in both reading and mathematics.

Maryland Blue Ribbon School - Viers Mill Elementary School

The Board recognized Viers Mill Elementary School as one of six elementary schools to receive the Maryland Blue Ribbon School of Excellence for 2004. The school is the first Title I school in Montgomery County to have more than 70 percent of both third and fifth grade students reach proficiency levels in reading and math and is among the top 30 percent of schools on the MSA.