the school board of seminole county - Seminole County Schools

proficient. It was reported that in the three years after implementing CMP2, the percent of proficientstudents in grades 6 through 8 increased.Director of Assessment and Accountability Deborah Camilleri discussed intensive math enrollment andprovided an analysis of student achievement. Dr. Camilleri reviewed the annual learning gains andlevel changes of students in CMP2 classes compared to those students not enrolled in CMP2 classes.Director of Curriculum Hugh Harris discussed the mathematics instructional materials adoptionschedule, process and committee criteria. The Board asked that each middle school have a teacherrepresentative serve on the instructional materials committee for adopting middle school mathematicstextbooks for the 2010-11 school year.The Board heard public comments from the following people:• Bobbi Demme-San Filippo (submitted written comments; read into the record)• Pam Sabia (read letter from Dr. Kristen Springfield)• Michelle Stephan• George McManus• Vickie Burlison• Betty Westhlle• Vikki Bailey• Jordan Bailey• Susan Brown• Priscilla Harris• Sharon Pass• Sandy Baldorossi• Sherrie Faulkner• Donna Hunziker• Jennifer Stickle• Joanne Krampeth• Karen HeriotBoard discussion took place. Member Morris was pleased to have the opportunity to learn about themethod of inquiry-based learning. She will rely on the State Instructional Materials AdoptionCommittee and the district’s Instructional Materials Adoption Committee to select instructionalmaterials that comply with the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards.Member Bauer feels that the district learned that communication with parents and the public could beimproved. Member Bauer feels that traditional methods of teaching could be melded with inquirybased methods of teaching to form a good method for teachers and students.Member Pond thinks that some teachers feel intimidated and did not attend the meeting to share theiropinion of the program. She read a letter from a teacher who could not attend the meeting and whodid not support the inquiry based method of teaching. She also shared articles that did not supportinquiry based learning. Member Pond displayed FCAT Math scale score charts for students in gradessixth through eighth. She asked middle school principals to share with the Board the course offeringsat each of their schools. Additional discussion took place regarding data to prove that the course wasworking or not working. Dr. Cote reminded the Board that a new adoption process is beginning inJanuary, that the district has many mandates that it must meet, and that the district has visited thisissue several times. Member Pond withdrew her request for information.Vice Chairman Robinson encouraged all middle schools to host parent math nights. She encouragedinterested citizens to attend the Instructional Materials Adoption Committee meetings. All of thesemeetings are noticed and open to the public.Page 13