The Montgomery County Board of Education (Board) met on Monday, September 23, 2019, at Carver Educational Services Center, 850 Hungerford Drive in Rockville.  During the meeting, the Board received an update and discussed Evidence of Learning:  end-of-year performance data, Equity Accountability Model data, and equitable access to resources.

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

Evidence of Learning:  End-of Year Performance Data Report and System-Level Equity Accountability Model Data, and Equitable Access to Resources

Two primary questions are being asked regarding the Evidence of Learning at Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS):  Are MCPS students learning and are they learning enough to be successful at the next level? Are MCPS schools positively impacting student performance by applying equitable structures and processes?

The superintendent of schools and staff members provided an update to Board members regarding the school system’s Evidence of Learning performance data for students in Grades 2, 5, 8, and 11.  This data is considered readiness performance data and measures how prepared students are to advance to the next level:  primary to intermediate school, intermediate to middle school, and middle school to high school.  Students are considered prepared when they meet two out of three categories of measures: classroom, district, and external.

During the presentation, end-of-year data for the 2018–2019 and 2017-2018 school years was compared. Staff members shared College and Career Readiness and the Seal of Biliteracy status for the Class of 2020 and how well MCPS is using its resources:  people, time, and money.  A major focal point of the district’s work is the equitable access to resources as it strives to close the achievement gap. 

The discussion also centered on the components of the Equity Accountability Model and the multiple factors that contribute to the conditions that maximize student learning.  The presentation also included system-level data for the following components: Achievement, Graduation, Progress, English Language Learners (ELL) and Students with Disabilities (SWD), and Priority Focus. All of the components, with the exception of ELL and SWD are reported through the lens of the focus populations: Black/African American non-Free and Reduced-price Meals System (FARMS) students and FARMS students; Hispanic/Latino non-FARMS and FARMS students; and All Other FARMS students. The district will continue to monitor and report the performance of Asian, White, and All Other non-FARMS students as part of the Equity Accountability Model. It was also noted that a public dashboard reporting school-level data for each component will be available by October 15, 2019.

The discussion also included the work being done regarding the equitable access to resources.  Education Resource Strategies (ERS) representatives shared information about their work and the insights gained through the MCPS resource study, which examines how well MCPS is organizing and using its resources of time, people, and money.  The study utilizes an approach that examines resources through seven lenses: School Funding, Teaching Quality, Instructional Time and Attention, Empowering Rigorous Curriculum and Coursework, Diverse and Inclusive Schools, School Leadership Quality, and Whole Child Approach.  During the April 29 and June 11, 2019, Board meetings, insights using three of these seven lenses were shared with Board members.  During the September 23 meeting, insights around the remaining four  lenses were shared with Board members.

Throughout the yearlong partnership with ERS, MCPS has made extensive efforts to engage stakeholders.  Once the last of the Dimensions of Equity findings are shared with the Board, MCPS is planning to continue its engagement efforts to ensure that the community is well versed in the findings specific to the Dimensions of Equity.

Read the memorandum to the Board.

View PowerPoint presentation, Part A.

View PowerPoint presentation, Part B.

Facilities and School Construction

The Board approved architectural appointments for Security Vestibule Projects.

New Business Item

Awarding Academic Credit

Board introduced a resolution directing the Superintendent to explore opportunities for changes in the curriculum and/or high school graduation requirements that provide students with the option to earn academic credit for participation in MCPS interscholastic athletic programs.

Read the memorandum

Recognitions

The Board approved the resolution in recognition of Montgomery County Public Schools’ Partnership with AmeriCorps.

The Board approved the resolution recognizing October 2019 as Maryland Family Engagement Month.

The Board approved the resolution recognizing October 2019 as National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

The Board approved the resolution declaring October 2, 2019, as International Walk to School Day.

Future Meetings

The Board of Education will hold its next regular business meeting Tuesday, October 8, 2019.  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: Mrs. Shebra L. Evans, president; Mrs. Patricia O’Neill, vice president. Members: Ms. Jeanette E. Dixon, Dr. Judith Docca, Ms. Karla Silvestre, Mrs. Rebecca Smondrowski, Ms. Brenda Wolff, and Mr. Nathaniel Tinbite, student member. Dr. Jack R. Smith, superintendent of schools and secretary-treasurer. Office of the Board: 240-740-3030.