Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education Early Learning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee approves pilot to shift kindergarten screening to last days of school
Summary
Elementary principals proposed piloting a calendar change to hold kindergarten screening on the district’s last two school days; the committee approved a motion to pilot the change next year and asked staff to evaluate effectiveness.
School committee members voted May 12 to pilot a calendar change proposed by elementary principals that would use the district’s final one-and-a-half days of school for kindergarten screening in future years.
Principals Wendy, Lauren and Liz (introduced at the meeting) asked the committee to consider an approach used in prior districts where kindergarten teachers use the last two days for concentrated screenings while aides and support staff cover classrooms. The principals said the approach allows teachers to devote focused time to family appointments and assessments and can be more efficient than spread-out screenings during the regular school day.
Committee members discussed logistics and constraints including state-required school days and the district’s calendar. A motion to approve the calendar request for a pilot next year was made and seconded. The motion passed by voice vote. Presenters said the change would not be in effect this school year because advance notification is required; staff agreed to pilot the change in the following school year and report back with feedback from teachers and families.
Committee members asked staff to monitor participation and evaluate whether the concentrated screening days improve the screening process without disrupting required instructional time.
