Watch Meeting by Agenda Item

Full Agenda (PDF)

Acknowledgement of a Quorum

Approval of the Agenda

The Board of Education approved the following resolutions:

• A resolution declaring May, 2012, as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
• A resolution declaring May 7-11, 2012, Teacher Appreciation Week and May 8, 2012, as Teacher Appreciation Day

Public Comments

Board/Superintendent Comments

Consent items

Monthly Human Resources and Development

The Board made the following appointments:

• Rebecca A. Thessin, currently assistant professor of educational administration, The George Washington University Graduate School of Education and Human Development, as associate superintendent for professional development and school support, Office of School Support and Improvement
• Myra J. Smith, currently acting community superintendent, Office of School Support and Improvement, as community superintendent, Office of School Support and Improvement
• Deann M. Collins, currently principal, Montgomery Knolls Elementary School, as director, Division of Title I Programs
• Amy N. Gensemer, currently Pre-K–12 content specialist, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, as supervisor, Pre-K–12 Science, Technology, and Engineering, Department of Curriculum and Instruction
• Jane W. Harkaway, currently acting supervisor, Curriculum, Pre-K–12 Health and Physical Education, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, as supervisor, Pre-K–12 Health and Physical Education, Department of Curriculum and Instruction
• Ira K. Thomas, currently assistant principal, Thomas S. Wootton High School, as principal of alternative programs

Tentative Action on Policy CNA, Informational Material and Announcements

The Board of Education tentatively approved revisions to Board Policy CNA, Informational Material and Announcements, which guides the distribution of materials by government agencies and non-profits in Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS). The revised policy will now be distributed for public comment.

The proposed changes would allow qualified non-profit organizations to distribute flyers and informational materials to elementary schools at four different times during the year. However, such materials would no longer be distributed in middle and high schools.

The revised policy would still allow MCPS, government agencies and Parent-Teacher Associations to distribute flyers and informational materials in the schools at any time during the school year. See the Board item and the revised policy.

Work Session: 21st Century College and Career Readiness

The Board had a wide-ranging discussion on how MCPS is developing 21st century college and career readiness skills in Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) students. The Board heard a presentation from staff and discussed the need for today’s workers to not only have academic knowledge, literacy and mathematics reasoning, but also 21st century skills, such as the ability to apply learning, think critically, solve problems, collaborate and adapt to change.

MCPS offers many Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs at schools throughout the district, but there was discussion if those programs are robust enough and develop the necessary 21st century skills.

Among the next steps for MCPS are improving data collection and program evaluation; improving marketing and recruiting for CTE programs; investigate effective college and career readiness models locally and nationally; and expand student opportunities for work-based or real-world experiences. Read the Board memo

Board of Education Items

Adjournment