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District expands evaluator training, continues ST Math rollout; administration to upload individual MCAS reports to Aspen
Summary
The district has enrolled 31 evaluators in multi-session training on "analyzing teaching for student results," rolled out a new 2024 teacher-rubric, continues ST Math and math-facilitator supports, and will upload individual MCAS student reports to Aspen for families within two weeks.
Assistant Superintendent Lynch and Dr. Colbert updated the committee on teaching-and-learning initiatives. They said the district invested in multi-day evaluator training this year (Research for Better Teaching) to focus evaluators on student evidence of learning and how to give formative feedback. Thirty-one evaluators — principals, department chairs and other certified evaluators — are enrolled in a seven-part series (four sessions completed by the meeting) that runs through February; the trainings are intended to promote consistent, student-focused evaluation conversations.
Administrators also said the district implemented the 2024 teacher-evaluation rubric (as negotiated) and provided consistent slides to introduce small changes to staff at the start of the year.
On curriculum and instruction, the district continues ST Math classrooms and a K–12 math implementation plan; a visiting facilitator (Allison Mello) has worked with secondary teachers and will lead a full-day professional development session on Nov. 10. Observations reported included differentiated instruction and the district’s effort to create a consistent mathematical language and model use across grades.
Regarding MCAS, administrators told the committee that DESE released statewide results but delayed some portal access; the district will upload individual student reports to Aspen so families can review their students’ results (files expected to be available within about two weeks). District-level results and accountability information will be presented at the Oct. 20 meeting.
Finally, the district noted ongoing work to update the bullying prevention and intervention plan; a task force will be formed to review the plan and the law’s two-year update cycle. The task force will include school committee representation, staff, parents, counselors, paraprofessionals and the school resource officer and may use an outside consultant for the needs-assessment and plan revision.
Committee members asked about timelines, teacher supports and whether the evaluator training would change feedback cycles; administrators said the process is meant to strengthen classroom instruction and support teachers with constructive observations and goal-setting.
