Board hears update on curriculum audit, intervention programs and teacher training
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Summary
At the March 18 meeting the superintendent and curriculum committee outlined steps to implement a curriculum audit: expanded data use, SEI training for teachers, new intervention programs, updated pacing guides and recruitment efforts; teachers urged clearer timelines for implementation.
Board members and district staff on March 18 outlined a multi‑step plan to implement recommendations from a curriculum audit adopted by the Somerville Board of Education in October and to strengthen classroom instruction across the district.
"I have yet to hear a clear plan of what's happening with the curriculum," said Sharon Werk, a Somerville High School English teacher and president of the Somerville Education Association, urging the board to move from audit to concrete classroom changes.
Superintendent Levisco described actions administrators and teachers are taking: building‑level data deep dives using I‑Ready and other diagnostics, a six‑week extended‑day math program launching in April at the elementary and middle schools, a Rutgers online reading program to strengthen literacy, and use of Lincoln assessments for eighth‑grade Algebra I students. Levisco said the district has begun sheltered English instruction (SEI) training with Dr. Negrin and Ms. Ochoa and that 89 staff members have started that training.
District staff also described steps to standardize curriculum materials, refine math frameworks and pacing guides, launch a literacy leaders committee in spring, expand data teams that meet at least monthly, and roll out Frontline recruiting systems and standard operating procedures for hiring. Levisco said administrators will continue professional development and teacher recruitment efforts to address staffing needs identified in the audit.
Curriculum committee chair Melissa Dale (committee reports) said a February professional development day drew responses from 225 of 275 staff and that feedback was generally positive; future PD plans include more SEI training and a possible joint PD day with neighboring Branchburg next year. The committee also discussed budgetary effects of a state aid reduction on curriculum plans.
Why it matters: The audit identified gaps in alignment and intervention; the district is implementing early‑stage interventions and professional development intended to affect instruction before spring testing and next school year.
Next steps: district administrators said they will continue monthly data‑team meetings, train more staff in SEI methods, monitor intervention programs' results, and update the board on progress.
