Achievement School District Task Force Meeting Summaries 1

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1 Achievement School District Task Force Meetings Summaries Initial Meeting Summary May 27, :00-5:00 p.m. MDE Board Room During the initial meeting of the Achievement School District (ASD) task force, which is being led by State Superintendent Dr. Carey Wright, the members spent a significant amount of time talking about the methods of discussion, which will be used during the work of the task force. Dr. Wright led a discussion of affective and cognitive conflict resolution, as well as interest-based bargaining, in an effort to communicate the importance of using the correct decorum and discussion methods throughout the work of the task force. It was made clear by Dr. Wright that the task force was assembled to generate ideas and options, which could be used by the state to re-think the approach the state is taking to improve chronically underperforming schools and districts. The task force will not be a decision-making body, but the goal is to provide recommendations to the State Board of Education, and possibly State Legislative leaders before the beginning of the next legislative session. Dr. Wright then asked the task force members to reflect on, and take an interest inventory of five key areas, which would be center to the discussion of the formation of an Achievement School District. Those areas include: - Governance - Political Environment - Instruction - Budget/Finance - Leadership The task force members discussed their interests (where an ASD is concerned) in governance, the political environment, and instruction. Discussion was halted due to time restraints during the discussion of instructional interests. Dr. Wright commented on the positive nature of the first meeting and how pleased she was to see the task force members contributing to the discussion in a manner that would yield positive outcomes. The task force was provided a collection of research and school/district data to review before the next scheduled meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for June 24, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. Achievement School District Task Force Meeting Summaries 1

2 Achievement School District Task Force Meetings Summaries 2nd Meeting Summary June 24, :00-3:00 p.m. MDE Board Room The 2 nd meeting of the Achievement School District (ASD) Task Force was held on Wednesday, June 24, 2015 in the MDE Board Room from 1:00-3:00 p.m. Dr. Carey Wright reviewed the key points of the first meeting, including the discussion of correct protocol and discussion decorum among the task force members. The task force was also reminded that their scope of work was to explore each and every option available, which would improve chronically underperforming schools and districts in Mississippi, as well as make recommendations to the State Board of Education, and possibly State Legislative leaders. Dr. Wright then continued to facilitate the discussion of the task force members interest in the instructional program of a possible ASD. At the conclusion of the instructional discussion, Dr. Wright and the task force members moved to the area of budget/finance and policy. The task force members were encouraged to discuss their interests, relative to an ASD, in these areas. That discussion lasted until the end of the meeting at 3:00 p.m. Dr. Wright commended, again, the task force members for their openness and willingness to discuss topics in a positive manner. There was some discussion as to how the MDE would keep the public informed of the progress of the task force. As a result, Dr. Wright committed to establishing a webpage on the MDE website which would be devoted to keeping the public informed of the ASD Task Force s progress. Dr. Wright will communicate with task force members and establish a time for the next ASD Task Force meeting. Achievement School District Task Force Meeting Summaries 2

3 Achievement School District Task Force Meetings Summaries 3rd Meeting Summary August 12, :00-3:00 p.m. Woolfolk Building, Jackson, MS Room 145 The 3 rd meeting of the Achievement School District (ASD) Task Force was held on Wednesday, August 12, 2015 in room 145 of the Woolfolk Building from 1:00-3:00 p.m. Dr. Carey Wright, State Superintendent of Education, began the meeting by re-capping the activities of the previous two meetings and generally discussing the activities at the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE), which led to the meeting place being changed (water and smoke damage to the Central High School Building). Dr. Wright also announced that the remainder of the task force meetings would not be open to the public. This very difficult decision was made as a result of a member of the public (attending previous meetings) spreading inaccurate and inflammatory information from previous meetings, in his/her community. Dr. Wright commented that this type of activity is counter-productive to the very sensitive and important work of the task force. There was one member of the task force who voiced concerns with closing the future task force meetings to the public. The task force discussed a collection of data relative to the lowest performing schools and districts in Mississippi, which can be found at the link below on the MDE website: Several members of the task force requested to see additional data points including, but not limited to: Student performance data by cohort for the lowest performing schools/districts Socioeconomic data for the lowest performing schools/districts Budget and expenditure data for the lowest performing schools/districts Health-related data for the lowest performing schools/districts A ranked order of the F districts in Mississippi How many School Improvement Grant (SIG) schools are currently in the F districts in Mississippi? Task force members also discussed the following topics: The measurement of individual student achievement growth The effect of leadership changes on student performance The effect of teacher attendance on student performance To what extent does the use of external partners (consultants) in school districts, improve student performance? The importance of building capacity at the local level; with teachers, administrators, boards, and community members The importance of successful teacher prep programs in four year colleges in Mississippi Achievement School District Task Force Meeting Summaries 3

4 What model (take-over process, exit strategy, etc.) was used for failing schools/districts prior to the Conservatorship model? The lack of authority of the State Superintendent; and what, if any, legislation needed to be changed to address that authority. The impact of local control on failing schools and districts in Mississippi. The next two meetings of the Achievement School District Task Force are scheduled for September 2, 2015 from 2:00 5:00 p.m. and October 28, 2015 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. Achievement School District Task Force Meeting Summaries 4

Achievement School District Task Force Meeting Summary Meeting Date/Time: Wednesday, October 28, 2015 Meeting Location: Robert E. Lee Building, Jackson, MS Task Force Members Present: Dr.

5 Achievement School District Task Force Meeting Summary Meeting Date/Time: Wednesday, October 28, 2015 Meeting Location: Robert E. Lee Building, Jackson, MS Task Force Members Present: Dr. Carey Wright Dr. J.P. Beaudoin Pat Ross Rachel Canter Mike Sayer Dr. Mike Waldrop Kelly Riley Dr. Jamilliah Longino Representative Charles Young Dr. Bonita Coleman Potter Representative Charles Busby Senator Willie Simmons Rhea Bishop Senator John Horhn Meeting Agenda: I. Welcome II. Identify the districts most in need of academic improvement based on student performance data. III. Identify a governance structure to oversee these districts. IV. Identify any new policies and legislation needed. V. Identify resources needed to address other concerns noted during our discussions. VI. Next steps VII. Next meeting: Monday, November 9, 2015; 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.; Woolfolk Building, Room 145 General Data/Research Reviewed: I. The task force reviewed the following data: Meeting Summary Achievement School District Task Force September

6 II. III. IV. Achievement data for A and B School Districts High Poverty/High Minority school districts that are performing at C level or higher Teacher retention rates and average years of teaching experience by district Request(s) Made by Task Force: A request was made to review additional data relative to identifying school districts in Mississippi that are in most need of academic improvement. A request was made to hear "expert testimony" from individuals familiar with ASD work in other states. Formal Outcomes of the meeting: There were no formal outcomes as a result of this meeting. Formal Recommendations from the task force: There were no formal recommendations as a result of this meeting. Next Steps: The task force will review research relative to governance structures of K-12 school districts, including turnaround districts and possible achievement school districts. The task force will review the data requested regarding school districts who are in most need of academic improvement. Next Meeting Date/Time: Monday, November 9, :00-4:00 p.m. Next Meeting Location: Woolfolk Building, Room 145 Jackson, MS Meeting Summary Achievement School District Task Force September

Members Attending: Doris Perkins Renee Moore Pamela Manners Marilyn McMillan Liz Michael Brian Pearse Dr. Angela Rutherford Kelly Fuller

Commission on Teacher and Administrator Education, Certification And Licensure and Development Central High Building Fourth Floor Conference Room 10:00 A.M. September 7, 2012 Members Attending: Doris Perkins