School
Board Work Session - 9/20
September 21, 2005
School trustees heard the following reports at their September
20 work session conducted at the Sockwell Center.
2006-07 Calendar Options
Karla Oliver, executive director for government and community
relations, reviewed with the board two school calendars for next
year. The first calendar
mirrors the current calendar
and begins on August 7.
Because of the expectation of future state legislation
mandating a post-Labor Day start, a second calendar was developed.
This calendar has a school start date of September 5, has no
fall break, schedules semester exams during the third week in January,
moves
spring break to the last week in March, with school ending on
June 7.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Doug Otto indicated that comments
from his Student Advisory Committee reflect
their concern with a post-Labor
Day
start date,
specifically
how it would impact the timing of semester exams.
Ms. Oliver reviewed the process required if the board chooses
to request a state waiver for the early school start date. Board
members directed staff to proceed with the waiver process by placing
an
item on
the October
18 school board agenda
to select a start date.
Board members indicated they would like
to consider an August 7 or August 9 start date for 2006-07.
Related Link
Purpose of Student Tests /
Revised High School Curriculum
Jim Wussow, executive director of secondary curriculum, opened
a discussion on the purpose and use of tests with an explanation
of how district tests are compiled to make sure that all objectives
of the TEKS are covered.
He noted that staff members are provided training on the value
of timely feedback to students on test items that they may
have missed; however, there is no required method on how to
accomplish this.
Mr. Wussow stated that the development of the revised high
school curriculum will assist in creating a data bank of test
items that can be used by teachers. He then presented a status
report on the development of the revised high school curriculum,
reviewing the steps involved in the development process.
Other Discussion
No topics were suggested for future work sessions at this time.
It was noted that the goal indicators mentioned at the previous
work session would be discussed at the October board meeting.
Dr. Otto announced that Saigling and Mathews Elementary Schools
have been selected as two of 25 Texas schools for
the No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon Award and that Karen Shepard,
PISD Secondary Teacher of the Year, has been selected as one of
three candidates for the Texas Secondary Teacher of the Year.
Related Link
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