QUINCY SCHOOL COMMITTEE
TEACHING & LEARNING SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING
A meeting of
the Teaching & Learning Subcommittee was held on March 27, 2024 at 6:00 pm
in the Coddington Building. Present were
Subcommittee members Mr. Paul Bregoli, Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, and Mrs. Emily
Lebo, Subcommittee Chair. Also present
were School Committee Members Mrs. Tina Cahill, Mr. Doug Gutro, and Mrs. Courtney
Perdios; Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Assistant Superintendent Erin Perkins, Ms.
Kim Connolly, Mr. Michael Draicchio, Ms. Susan Foley, Ms. Julie Graham, Ms.
Andrea Huwar, Mr. Michael Marani, Ms. Maura Papile, Ms. Kimberley Quinn, Mr.
Keith Segalla; Quincy College Vice President Meghan Giovannini; and Ms. Laura
Owens, Clerk.
Superintendent
Mulvey noted that tonight’s meeting was not posted as a meeting of a Whole, so
only Subcommittee Members Mrs. Hubley, Mr. Bregoli, and Mrs. Lebo will be able
to discuss, deliberate, and/or vote on the agenda items.
Coordinator
of Mathematics Kim Quinn and consultant Molly Vokey presented an update on the
work with building thinking classrooms for middle school Mathematics, beginning
with a look back at the beginning of the process in 2019 (integrating mindset,
rigor, discourse; meeting the needs of all students by differentiating small-group
instruction and randomized grouping; highly engaging thinking tasks). Based on the research of Peter Liljedahl, a
mathematics professor at Simon Fraser University in Canada who identified
fourteen factors that contribute to building a thinking classroom in 15 years
of research. The factors are (1) highly
engaging thinking tasks; (2) visibly randomized grouping; (3) vertical
non-permanent surfaces; (4) de-front the classroom; (5) keep-thinking
questions; (6) what homework looks like; (7) when, where, and how tasks are
given; (8) fostering student autonomy; (9) hints and extensions; (10)
consolidating a lesson; (11) how students take notes; (12) what we choose to
evaluate; (13) how we use formative assessments; and (14) how we grade.
Ms. Vokey’s
support for Quincy Public Schools this year included presentations at the
Professional Day of Learning this past November, participating in System-Wide
Professional Development days, and supporting Math instruction at South~West
Middle School through curriculum meetings, planning, and co-teaching. The instructional strategies are being
deployed at all middle schools, especially the visibly randomized grouping and
providing vertical non-permanent surfaces for student group work. Visibly random groups have been demonstrated
to develop willingness to collaborate, elimination of social barriers,
increased knowledge mobility, increased enthusiasm for learning, and reduced
social stress.
Mrs. Lebo
asked for and received confirmation that these are techniques for presenting
the standards-based instruction of mathematics to students.
Curriculum
Director Michael Marani and South~West Assistant Principal Susan Foley
presented and update on the MCAS Civics Pilot which will allow students to use
their civics content knowledge and skills to explain and analyze civics
concepts, support claims with evidence, and analyze sources and graphics. The pilot will have two parts: performance tasks (one of seven topics from
the Grade 8 Civics standards and include analysis of primary and secondary
sources) and an end-of-course test (coverage of all Civics standards;
multiple-choice, multiple-select, and technology-enhanced questions).
In
2023-2024, a minimum of 50% of Grade 8 students at each school will be taking
the Civics field test. The results will
not be reported. DESE is anticipating
rolling out the MCAS Civics assessment for all Grade 8 students in Spring 2025,
with results being reported. Preparation
is underway at all schools with practice performance tasks, practice tests
available through DESE, professional development for Grades 6-8 teachers and
vertical team meetings.
Mrs. Hubley
asked for clarification, the Civics test window is April 29-June 2. Mr. Marani said each school will determine
the administration date based on their Math and STE testing dates.
Mr. Bregoli
applauded the teaching of Civics to our students, asked for and received
clarification that local government is taught.
Mrs. Lebo
agrees that it is important for students to learn Civics, skills related to
news and media literacy and evaluating sources are very important. Mrs. Lebo is concerned about the overload of
assessments for Grade 8 students
Mr. Keith Segalla
updated on Early College High School collaboration with Quincy College. Enrollment opportunities have expanded to Grade
9 for Fall 2024, two courses will be offered to 25 students at each high school. Students who participate in ECHS for four
years can earn up to 25 college credits. Additional credits can be earned
through Dual Enrollment classes and the Summer Academy at Quincy College. The ECHS Parent Advisory Team has eight
parents, meets four times each year, supports new parents when students join
the program and hosts workshops on FAFSA, how to pay for college.
There is a
new opportunity being explored, which would expand the ECHS program to award
Associate’s Degree along with student high school graduation, incorporating
summer courses and beginning in Grade 9 participation. This would be free of charge with a pilot of
25 students per high school.
Mrs. Hubley
asked what the Associates degree would be in, Ms. Perkins said Liberal Arts.
Mrs. Hubley
asked if the ECHS credits are transferring to 4-year colleges, Ms. Giovannini
said there haven’t been any issues with transferring so far. Ms. Giovannini said it is up to the
institution how the credit is awarded.
Mr. Bregoli
asked for and received confirmation that the FAFSA workshop was open to both
high schools.
Mrs. Lebo
noted that the Early College High School programming is being supported through
the Governor’s budget.
Mrs. Lebo
said the ECHS Symposium highlighted the opportunities for our students, one
student is graduating with CNA and 33 college credits. The parents’ pride in their students was
evident.
Mrs. Lebo
reviewed that the 2023-2024 Superintendent Goals have been amended to include a
Chronic Absenteeism goal.
Mrs.
Hubley made a motion to approve the amended Superintendent’s Goals for 2023-2024. Mr. Bregoli seconded the motion and on a voice
vote, the ayes have it.
Mr. Bregoli made a motion to adjourn at 7:10 pm, seconded by Mrs.
Hubley. On a voice vote, the ayes have
it.