Monrovia School Link

Hot topic is a public hearing for the district's vision and goals. (I've reproduced the draft vision and goals stuff at the bottom). Also, Brad gets on his high horse and probably offends half of you, and... well, I guess that's enough for one issue.
~ brad@sacklunch.net

5:30 p.m. Study Session on the budget; 7 p.m. Regular Meeting

Here's the agenda for the regular meeting:

~ 4.1 "Public hearing for items not on the agenda." Your chance to say whatever you like.

~ 4.4 Reports on enrollment & staffing and an update on "parent request regarding an after-school program at Mayflower."

~ 8.5 and 8.6 Public hearings on initial proposals to modify contracts with employee groups.... At least I think that's what the agenda means. You know, I'm actually not sure what it means. Here, you tell me. It says: "Hold a public hearing on the initial proposal topics for modification of the current CSEA/District collective bargaining agreement and approve the initial proposal for 2004-2005 negotiations." And, the same wording but with MTA instead of CSEA. Did anybody do really well in school at parsing sentences? Do they still do that anymore?

~ 9.1 Hold a public hearing about the district's vision and goals. I'm reproducing the vision and goals stuff below so you'll have an idea what they're thinking about. This is a public hearing, so feel free to show up and have your say.

~ 9.2 Here's an interesting one: "Call for nominations for CSBA directors-at-large, either Asian / Pacific Islander and/or Hispanic. Discussion and possible nomination for CSBA Directors-at-Large, Asian/Pacific Islander and/or Hispanic, two-year seats." CSBA is the California School Boards Association, I believe. So, if you know someone good - just as long as he or she ain't one of them there black or white folk - let the district know. Sorry. While I understand the desire to hear from different groups, making race a qualification just seems really wrong. Also, notice that the CSBA thinks an Asian can - for example - adquately represent the needs of Hispanics, or vice versa, but a black or white person cannot. What's with that? I'm sure this is not the district's fault, but I gotta say I really think it sucks rotten eggs. I know I'm stepping on toes here, so if you think differently, write me a note and I'll try to include the best comments I get in an upcoming newsletter.

~ 9.3 The board is going to nominate somebody or other, or maybe somebodies or other, to the Los Angeles County Committee on School District Organization.

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VISION FOR MONROVIA SCHOOLS

1. Distinguished Schools
2. Instructional Excellence
3. Graduates of Distinction

STRATEGIC 5-YEAR GOALS: 2004 - 2009

1. All Monrovia Schools will be designated California and Monrovia Distinguished Schools, with API (Academic Performance Index) scores of 800 or higher

2. All Monrovia teachers will utilize specified research-supported instructional strategies

3. All Monrovia Schools will provide programs to guide students to become high school graduates who:
- Aim toward college and a meaningful career
- Complete course requirements for UC/CSU
- Participate in leadership, the arts, and/or extracurricular activities
- Demonstrate responsibility through attendance, behavior, academic performance, and civic involvement /service

STRATEGIC 5-YEAR GOAL MEASURES

1. All Monrovia Schools will be designated California and Monrovia Distinguished Schools, with API scores of 800 or higher
- All schools will be designated California Distinguished Schools
- All schools will be designated Monrovia Distinguished Schools, based upon local criteria and measures (to be developed)
- All school API scores will exceed state targets annually, and reach or exceed 800

2. All Monrovia teachers will utilize specified research-supported instructional strategies
- All teachers will demonstrate use of specified instructional strategies according to established criteria and based upon classroom observations
- Examples of specified instructional achievement-enhancing strategies include: tiered vocabulary instruction; Everybody Plays/Cooperative Learning for student engagement, monitoring progress, and adjusting instruction; classroom procedures (Harry Wong); and standards-based instruction.

3. All Monrovia Schools will provide programs to guide students to become high school graduates who aim toward college and a meaningful career; complete course requirements for UC/CSU; participate in leadership, the arts, and/or extracurricular activities; and demonstrate responsibility through attendance, behavior, academic performance, and civic involvement /service
- All schools provide services and programs to produce graduates of distinction including:
* Personalized counseling and guidance, and instructionally-imbedded encouragement to be college-bound, assume challenging coursework, and prepare for a meaningful career
* Opportunity to participate and gain skills in leadership, the arts, and extracurricular activities
* Guidance and acknowledgment of success in demonstrating exemplary responsibility in attendance, behavior, academic performance, and civic involvement /service
- High school records show that the graduates, according to specified criteria:
* Plan to attend college or further training or preparation for a meaningful career
* Completed course requirements for UC/CSU
* Participated in leadership, the arts, and/or extracurricular activities
* Demonstrated responsibility through attendance, behavior, academic performance, and civic involvement /service