Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education Policy Updates topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board reviews and approves multiple policy updates on grading, assessments and student supports
Summary
At its Feb. 24 meeting the Newberry County Board of Trustees heard a slate of policy first readings and approvals covering school day definitions, reading instruction and screening, summer school, grading adjustments, promotion/retention and graduation requirements. Trustees approved several policies on first reading and adopted a second-reading
The Newberry County Board of Trustees on Feb. 24 considered and approved a package of policy updates and first readings covering instructional time, assessments, grading procedures and student supports.
The board approved first readings and votes (by voice) on multiple model-based policies presented by district administrators, including revisions to board policy BBB (board membership and elections), KHE (political solicitations in schools), ID (school day), IHAA (English/language arts expectations), IHCA (summer school), ILB (test and assessment administration), ILBB (reading screening and dyslexia), IKAD (grade adjustments), IKE (promotion and retention) and IKF (graduation requirements). Several of the items were presented as model policies aligned with updated state laws and regulations.
Administrators emphasized changes tied to state requirements and local implementation. Dr. Carey, who presented many of the instructional items, described the district's plan to publish a district reading proficiency plan by October per the state requirement and noted that universal screeners currently in use include i-Ready. "The state department will provide cut scores to define what proficiency is to them," Carey said, explaining that cut scores will inform summer reading camp invitations and retention considerations.
Board members pressed administrators on several points: whether elementary schools could count lunch in instructional time, how cursive and handwriting instruction would be incorporated (cursive specified beginning in third grade in the proposed language), whether i-Ready is sufficient for dyslexia screening, and how summer reading camp attendance and fees would be handled. Administrators said summer fees would be considered only for certain high-school make-up courses and that principals could waive fees for students with financial hardship.
The board discussed a new administrative rule (IKAD) that would formalize a 30-day timeline for grade-adjustment requests and provide a tiered process starting with the teacher, moving to principal and, if necessary, to the superintendent or designee. "That way you don't have somebody come back a year later and say ... he miscalculated something," Carey said. Trustees asked administration to consider adding a catch-all for "extenuating circumstances," and Carey agreed to add such language for the March packet.
Promotions and retention revisions in IKE emphasize grade-level reading proficiency in kindergarten through second grade and align promotion language with state accountability definitions. Carey said district assessments are counted as major grades, but teachers retain discretion to include many other assessments and assignments in final grades.
Trustees also discussed dyslexia screening and early intervention. A board member and several classroom teachers expressed concern that some children are not being identified early enough. Administrators said reading coaches and special-services staff would provide additional recommendations.
Most policy items were approved on first reading by voice vote; KHE (political solicitations) passed on second reading. The board asked staff to return revised language on grading adjustments (IKAD) and to publish the district reading proficiency plan online by the state deadline.
