November 13, 2007 - Unapproved Minutes

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Minutes for Quality of Education Governance Sub-Committee

Attendees: Bob Bruce; Allison Litten; Bruce Williams (4:00 PM): Wayne Gersen

1. The meeting convened at 3:40 PM. Allison Litten, Bob Bruce and Wayne Gersen reviewed the means schools currently use to identify and share “best practices”, including both the practices at the systemic district and school level best practices and the best practices on a day-to-day level in the classroom.

2. Bruce Williams gave an overview of the methods used at the Ray School to identify and replicate best practices. His overview included:

• Ideas brought to the Networks Committee that emerge from teachers attending conferences, from individual staff development activities, and  from informal ad hoc sharing (i.e. the book group that propelled Mosaics into the forefront).
• Ideas that grade level groups bring to the attention of the administration that result in a presentation by a consultant (i.e. Sitton spelling)
• Mentorships that ensure the transfer of culture and best practices to the new teachers
• Ideas that emerge from CFG groups.

3. The group agreed to four broad recommendations regarding the sharing and of best practices within the schools and among the schools:

• Ensure consistency in the application of methods for sharing that are currently in place
• Explore ways to use technology to enhance professional development through such vehicles as web-based intra-net message boards
• Explore ways to use technology and teacher staff development funds to improve communication between the school and students and parents through such vehicles as school web pages with links to sites that provide support for students and background information for parents
• Explore ways to provide incentives and funds for risk taking and innovation.

4. The meeting adjourned at 4:45 PM.