March Minutes

Site Council Minutes – March 9, 2009

Submitted by Lisa Pearlstein

 In Attendance:

Jay Hoover, Constance Plager, Brett Hutwagner, Kathy Hunt, Cynthia MacLeod, Dick Cherry, and Lisa Pearlstein

Updates on Differentiated Instruction

Review of the TAG Survey:

The site council members divided up the 15 questions on the TAG survey between 3 groups comprised of two members and each group reviewed 5 questions.  26 parents responded to the survey. 

Question 1: I was given the opportunity to actively develop my child’s TAG plan or schedule.

Result:  Most families agreed, however most families did not like the “cookie cutter” aspect of the TAG plan and were reluctant to jump in and advocate for their child.

Question #2: My child and I have opportunities to suggest ways to meet my child’s needs.

Result: 18 families agreed and most felt that teachers were open to listening to their input regarding their child’s needs.

Question #3: I am kept informed of my child’s progress in a variety of ways.

Result: Parents tended to disagree with this statement.

Question #4: I feel comfortable talking to my child’s teacher about TAG.

Result: Parents tended to agree with statement, however parents expressed reluctance to approach teachers regarding TAG issues because of teacher’s workload.

Question #5:  I feel comfortable talking to the school staff (principal, assistant principal, TAG coordinator) about TAG.

Result: Most agreed with this statement, however the comments posted were very critical.  Written responses reflected the parents who disagreed.

Question #6: My child’s learning needs are met in TAG identified area(s).

Result: Most disagreed with this statement.  Most of the  parents feel their child’s academic needs are not being met.

Question #7: My child is being taught at his or her rate and level of learning.

Results: The majority of parents who answered this disagreed with the statement.  Comments gave credit to teachers for extending curriculum to meet students needs and expressed frustration with PPS’  limited curriculum.

Question #8: I would like my child to be grouped with other high level learners (in same or even higher grade) in the area(s) o his or her ability, for example, math with other high ability kids.

Result: Parents overwhelmingly agreed with this statement.  Parents want high level learners grouped together.

Question #9: My child often reports that he or she already knows the information presented in class.

Result: The majority of parents agreed/strongly agreed with this statement.

Question #10: It is easy to see opportunities to differentiate homework.

Result:  Parents agreed to this but in a weak way. One comment was that the question did not make sense. 

Question #11: Weekly TAG pullout meets the needs of my child.

Result: Most parents disagreed with this statement.  Lots of comments (13).

Question #12: I am kept informed about the school’s TAG services in a variety of ways.

Results: 15 of the 24 parents who responded to this statement agreed.  Communication continues to be an on-going concern of TAG parents.

Question #13: I am aware of the Portland Public School’s TAG program and what they are doing to support  my school’s TAG program.

Result: 14 parents strongly agreed/agreed, and 10 parents strongly disagreed/disagreed of the 24 who responded. Consistent with results from question #13 and the issue of communication. 

Question #14:  I received a copy of our school's TAG building improvement plan.

Result: Yes   40% 

            No  60%

Dependent on attendance at initial meeting and remembering that it was distributed.

Question #15: In general, the culture of Irvington School supports the needs of TAG learners.

Result:  12 parents of the 22 who responded to this statement disagreed or strongly disagreed. 

In Response To The TAG Survey:

A follow up meeting will be scheduled with parents to review the survey results and the fiscal reality about the districts ability to fund a TAG program. The group will ponder the question, “where do we go from here?”

Staff will also review results of the TAG survey.

Cynthia noted that it is clear that communication between TAG parents and the “ administration” is missing. 

Ideas for promoting clear communication with TAG parents and for   differentiating instruction for TAG students includes:

1.     that Irvington develop a TAG handbook full of information and resources for families with TAG students

2.      that Irvington creates a lending library of activities for TAG students and families

3.      that Cynthia will contact the TAG TOSA about enriched and enhance curriculum materials for TAG students. (Perhaps this could be part of the lending library.)

 Update on district financial position

 The information around PPS financial situation has been so dynamic that I culled the most recent information I had

 (Quoted from PPS Pulse, Volume 2, Issue 6, March 2009 )

Portland Public Schools is finalizing plans to balance this year’s budget after a second round of state funding cuts, but closing school early is off the table: students will have a full school year.  The Portland School Board already spent $4.2 million from reserves to cover the first round of state budget cuts in December.  The state cut schools again in March after a bleak revenue forecast. A combination of efforts will likely close the gap: belt tightening in the central office, negotiating compensation with employee unions and possibly again dipping into reserves.

 Update on transition grades:

Brett shared that the Science Fair on February 26 was a huge success. Lots of kids and lots of interest.

Last updated by jhoover on Mar 28, 2009 at 01:45 PM

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