The CMS Board met Tuesday, September 11th, 2012, at 6:00 pm in the chamber of the government center. District 2 Representative Richard McElrath introduced a leader of ‘Caring For America.’ This organization gives school supplies and free hair cuts to ‘high flying’ students. Several students from this organization were recognized. Six public speakers spoke to the board. Deanna Douglas is upset due an unauthorized release of her child from school.
Dr. Morrison, Kathryn Block, Carol Stamper and Scott McCully gave a great update on the Post-Opening of Schools. We all listened as Dr. Morrison and Carol Stamper gave high praise to the bus drivers and staff due to the early on-time rate of CMS students riding the buses. Over 98% of the buses were delivering on-time morning pick-up and evening drop-off by day 5. This rate is with 141,021 students. That’s a 3,009 increase in the number of students in CMS over last year. This is a 2.2% increase. CMS was expecting 140,00 students. District 1 Representative Rhonda Lennon asked about the 1,000 students present in CMS that were unexpected. Scott McCully explained that these students are now at the following locations: Elon Park Elementary, South Mecklenburg High, Ardrey Kell High, Polo Ridge Middle, Hough High and Bailey Middle Schools. McCully explained that CMS does not have any data to show where the 1,000 students originated. The biggest number of new students are in K-5 but the biggest percentage is in middle school with a 3% increase in CMS. Overall, many parents and principals agree that this fall was a very smooth opening of schools for CMS.
Dr. Morrison, Ann Clark and Frank Barnes presented a good update on the North Carolina State Accountability Program. This presentation involves the new Measures of Student Learning(MSL). MSL’s are assessments for grades and subjects not tested by End-of-Grade(EOG) or End-of-Course(EOC) assessments. Twenty-two assessments at the high school level will be newly required this fall(2012) and spring(2013). Science assessments in grades 4, 6 & 7 are required this spring. Additionally new assessments in social studies will be required this spring for grades 4-8. Those who are exempted from these tests are Limited English Proficient(LEP) students, students with disabilities and in rare cases, those deemed medically fragile due to a ‘significant emergency or condition’. Students in grades 3-8 and high school are now required to take MSL assessments with or without accommodations. MSL exams will count as 25% of each high school student’s final grade. 95% of the students enrolled in each tested course will take the MSL exam. MSL exams will take the place of teacher-created final exams to avoid additional testing. These replacements will only happen in courses that are tested by the MSL’s.
The next CMS Board Meeting will occur in room 267 of the government center on Tuesday, September 25th, 2012 at 6:00 pm. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center is located at 600 East Third Street, Charlotte, North Carolina. All are invited to attend.