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Board Discusses Curriculum 2.0, Sets Calendar for 2012-2013

November 9, 2011
The Montgomery County Board of Education met on Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at the Carver Educational Services Center, 850 Hungerford Drive in Rockville. Among other items, the Board discussed the implementation of Curriculum 2.0, set the school year calendar for 2012-2013, and heard from Superintendent Joshua Starr on his transition team report.

Curriculum 2.0 Implementation Update

The Board of Education received an update and had a wide-ranging discussion about the implementation of Curriculum 2.0, which seeks to broaden instruction to engage the whole child around multiple subjects and critical thinking and academic skills. Curriculum 2.0, an update of the MCPS curriculum, has been fully implemented in kindergarten and first grade, as well as second grade in most MCPS elementary schools. Overall, implementation has gone well, but there have been challenges, specifically around the areas of communication, professional development, and assessment. The Board’s discussion included teachers and principals that shared what they felt were the strengths of Curriculum 2.0 and what challenges they and their colleagues faced. There also was a discussion specifically about mathematics instruction in Curriculum 2.0.  Read the memo to the Board about Curriculum 2.0

2012-2013 School Year Calendar

The Board adopted the calendar for the 2012-2013 school year. The school year will begin on Monday, August 27, 2012, and is scheduled to end on Friday, June 14, 2013. The calendar was developed in partnership with the Montgomery County Council of PTAs, the school district’s three employee associations, and the Montgomery County Region of the Maryland Association of Student Councils, as well as other community and school system leadership. Read the report to the Board and see the adopted calendar.

Transition Report

Superintendent Joshua P. Starr gave the Board of Education an overview of the report created by his transition team. Dr. Starr’s transition team, which included outside experts and MCPS staff, conducted a thorough review of MCPS policies, practices, and programs, and provided a report that highlighted successes and challenges that the district faces. The report will assist Dr. Starr in the development of priorities as he prepares to present an FY 2013 budget proposal. Read the Transition Team Report

Approval of Pilot Courses

The Board approved the development of pilot courses and designated active or restricted courses that have completed the pilot process successfully. The Board, on the recommendation of the Office of Curriculum and Instructional Programs, approved the development of five new high school pilot courses and the activation of four courses that have successfully completed the pilot process. The Board also approved 17 courses that are restricted to specific high schools. Read the memo to the Board and the list of courses.

Board of Education Legislative Priorities

The Board of Education discussed and adopted a legislative platform for the upcoming 2012 legislative session, which begins in January. Since 2001, the Board has developed, adopted, and distributed a platform prior to the beginning of each legislative session. The platform summarizes the Board’s positions on priority issues but allows for consideration of additional legislative and budget issues that may arise during the session. The Board’s priorities fall into three general categories:
-  Funding/accountability, including maintenance of effort and capital building/construction funds
-  Local board authority, including curriculum and charter schools
-  Students, including safety/security and nutrition
Read the Board of Education memo and see the legislative priorities and positions


Other action: The Board also took action on the following items:
 
-  Appointed an architect for the modernization of William H. Farquhar Middle School.
-  Appointed a firm to manage construction/preconstruction for the modernizations of Candlewood Elementary and Rock Creek Forest Elementary.
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Resolutions: The board unanimously approved the following:

-  A resolution in honor of our veterans
-  A resolution declaring Nov. 13-19 as American Education Week
-  A resolution declaring Nov. 14-18 as School Psychology Awareness Week

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. Christopher S. Barclay, president; Ms. Shirley Brandman, vice president. Members: Ms. Laura Berthiaume, Dr. Judy Docca, Mr. Michael Durso, Mr. Phil Kauffman, Ms. Patricia O’Neill, and Mr. Alan Xie, student member. Dr. Joshua P. Starr, superintendent and secretary-treasurer. Office of the Board: 301-279-3617.

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