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TECCA presents MCAS and ACCESS data, class-size guidance and district improvement plans
Summary
Assistant Superintendent Heidi Nelson-Buffa reviewed MCAS and ACCESS participation and performance, noting higher performance among students enrolled three years or longer and that issued devices should increase testing participation. The board discussed class-size guidance and ongoing special-education, nursing and TFM work.
Assistant Superintendent Heidi Nelson-Buffa told the TECCA Board on Jan. 29 that the district is reviewing MCAS and ACCESS testing results to identify targeted interventions as TECCA’s student population changes.
Nelson-Buffa described steps to increase participation in MCAS testing in 3rd–8th grades and high school by issuing TECCA devices for remote testing this year, adding testing sites, combining testing with family engagement events and offering transportation to sites when needed. "TECCA will do their best to get to 100% participation," she said, while acknowledging that some students will not participate because of anxiety or accommodations that require in-person testing.
The board also discussed class-size guidance intended to support virtual instructional quality; the working group benchmarking peer virtual targets includes board members and district staff and will continue stakeholder engagement. Superintendent Lattuca provided an update on classroom observation goals: of 75 core-content teachers, 43 had been observed; district observation metrics showed 90% of educators had cameras on, 83% used instructional tools and 36% used engagement activities during observed lessons.
Assistant Superintendent Amy Muldoon reviewed student-services and special-education work: ACCESS testing for multilingual learners is underway with improved participation and growth; immunization compliance for grades K, 7 and 12 met targets in two of three grades for MMR; staffing increases (paraprofessionals) and targeted professional development (Frontline, eSped) are planned to address outstanding TFM areas.
No votes were taken on these information items. Staff will continue curriculum review, targeted interventions, and professional development work and report progress to the board at future meetings.
