Progress in students’ literacy comprehension levels made through a phonetics-based program began last year was the major topic of presentation at the May 20, 2008, meeting of the Des Moines Public Schools School Board. The most important item on the agenda in terms of immediate consequences was a required change in terms of office for board members as a result of legislation signed by the governor this year (see separate Elections article). In both discussions the different positions of board members were stated in a civil manner.
Again I chose to observe the meeting through the luxury of cable television despite its limitations. In addition to missing any public comments made that were not in response to specific agenda items, I probably missed out on a few handouts that would have given additional information not observable on the broadcast. There were a few times when the sound cut out on the broadcast but, fortunately, not at any key moments. On the positive side, the time saved in transit allowed me to get the first post about the meeting posted the next day.
Board Member Jeannette Woods raised a question of environmental responsibility in regard to a consent agenda item. The item was renewal of a contract for plastic and paper supplies by the Food & Nutrition division of the district. Woods thought a decision had been made in prior years to reduce landfill materials. District Chief Operating Officer Bill Good responded that sometimes the cost of cleaning dishes can be higher than using disposable items but that he would look into the matter.
The superintendent’s report continued the practice displayed at prior board meetings of recognizing various student achievements. One of the groups recognized at this board meeting was the Junior ROTC program. The person speaking about the program said Junior Reserved Officers Training Corps was started in Des Moines in 1986 and moved to Central Campus about 4 years ago. The Jr. ROTC was reported as having served as the color guard at over 30 presentations in the community. In addition, participants in Jr. ROTC perform volunteer work and participate in extra curricular activities. While the speaker stated he wanted to ensure that people understand Jr. ROTC is not about military training or recruitment, the students attending the board meeting from the program talked about their plans to attend assorted military colleges, such as the Air Force Academy or West Point.
The board accepted the monitoring report for third-quarter financial condition and activities without discussion. No comments were made by the public, either.
JoEllen Latham, the district’s literacy coordinator, presented an update on the district’s literacy program started last spring. She noted that a review of ITBS testing data showed a “stability effect” but significant drop in middle school literacy. A reason given was that teachers felt they didn’t have resources to teach literacy. Thus, the district selected Houghton Mifflin program material that permitted the district to focus on kindergarten through fifth grade but also to offer support in pre-kindergarten and in 6th grade. The literacy program included not only new materials but also professional development for staff. Each school building had a literacy leader to help coordinate literacy education across subject matter.
Students were assessed individually as well as through standardized testing. On assessment tool used for young students involves reading to a student and asking the student to interpret what was said. (Comment: I would like to see how the one-on-one assessment is conducted. I know people who plan on dressing new babies in frilly clothes as soon as they know they are having a girl but something less ostentatious if the child is to be a boy. Then the people wonder how the children develop stereotypical behavior. Similarly, asking a student whose family has never owned a car to explain the glee of a young boy dashing from the back seat of a car directly onto the beach may create a harder challenge than would the same passage read to a student whose family rents a car and spends summers on the Florida coast. Similarly, culturally different experiences may start a discrepancy in test scores for minority students from the earliest grades.)
Latham reported that while there was growth in comprehension over the course of the year the literacy program has been in place, there was a drop off seen between Grades 2 and 3. Some 6th grade analytical data was not available for the May 20th meeting because teachers had until May 30th to enter test scores. Capitol View Elementary School had a better improvement than any other school.
Board discussion revolved under future program funding if and when current funding resources disappear. There was also interest in how literacy is worked into daily life and the ability of students to recognize cursive writing or fonts.
M.R. field covers school board meetings for AroundDesMoines.com and apologizes for the lateness of this report.
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