Deb Merriam presented on Parker and MCAS 2019
Deb said the high level summary is that Parker is doing fine.
Deb said that MCAS does reveal some vulnerabilities and opportunities but it is only one source of data to measure success of the Parker program.

Deb reviewed the recent changes in State accountability measures

• MCAS achievement
• MCAS growth
• high school completion
• ELL
• absenteeism, advanced coursework

Parker's DESE accountability classification is "Not requiring assistance or intervention"

Deb presented on MCAS 2.0.  Deb explained the new MCAS scoring system.  She said the design and scoring model are more rigorous - the test is getting harder.

Focusing on the 10th grade, Deb described the changes in the new test and provided examples of the new formats for ELA and math questions.  Parker results are typically stronger comparatively with the state results.  Parker is doing well in comparison to neighboring and similar schools.

Deb said that the State measures the performance of certain subgroups.  (list in the packet)
To the extent that Parker has students in the subgroup - the numbers do not hit the threshold for valid statistical model. The subgroup most represented at Parker is High Needs.
    The high needs subgroup is comprised of:

• students with disabilities
• students classified as economically disadvantaged
• students who are English language learners

Deb shared data showing: 

• ELA - High needs kids are doing better than average high needs kids in the state but not as well as the Parker non-high needs students.
• Math - High needs kids are doing better than average high needs kids in the state but not as well as the Parker non-high needs students.

Deb posed the questions - Where are the relative vulnerabilities?   What does this tell us? 

Deb said that the test is under construction and the scoring model has changed demonstrating that the state has the intention of raising the standard for passing the exam but standard has not been raised yet.  She said that 3-5 years from now, students will pass the test because they have met standards.  She said, currently some are partially meeting standards and all are passing the test.

Deb presented next steps:
MCAS data analysis

• AH and MST engage in data protocols to examine results
• Item analysis - vulnerabilities and opportunities
• Lowest performing 25% designations

Attendance

• PLP conversations with students
• "showing up"

Deb asked - What else is data?  What do we want to measure ourselves by?



 

Todd Sumner introduced the two interactive activities that are being used in the Community Conversations and gave Board members a chance to complete them in small groups.
Activities are intended to provide:

• understanding of Parker's history and future needs
• understanding of the differences and similarities between funding and governance of district public schools and charter public schools

Todd emphasized the importance for those attending Community Conversations to leave with an understanding and commitment to financially supporting the current and future needs of Parker.
 

Todd Sumner presented the Principal's Report.  
Todd said that the school can go back to using tap water.
Todd invited Tiffany Testa and Matt Lindsay to review the Div II trip to Boston.
 

Glenn Penna will review first quarter results at the next meeting.
 

Katrina Tedstone presented the Development report.
Katrina said that a few grants have been submitted to support the theater production.
Katrina said that in collaboration with Zayna Basma,  an alumni advisory council is being created.

Mary Wren VanderWilden lifted up an appreciation for the work of Katrina Tedstone.
 

Martin Turnbull presented the Facilities report.
Martin said that since the last meeting, a facilities group has met with the design engineer for the heating/cooling upgrades and helped them to rethink the plan for moving forward.
Martin said that an early cost estimate has just come in.  There is a meeting on 10/16 to go over numbers and the full committee meets on 10/24 to discuss a plan on how to proceed.
Todd Sumner said that the the biggest change in thinking about the project is that it can all be done at once.  The project will be designed as a whole but the work will be divided into 3 parts across the next three years - 2020  -  2021  -  2022.
 

This vote has been deferred until the November meeting pending answers to questions raised.

There were no comments from the public.