Tag Archives: high

Next generation MCAS

For Immediate Release
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Contact: Jacqueline Reis, 781-338-3115

Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Approves Path to Next-Generation MCAS

MALDEN – The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education today voted 8-3 to transition to a next-generation MCAS that would be given for the first time in spring 2017 and would use both PARCC and MCAS items, along with items developed specifically for the Massachusetts tests. The vote followed many of the recommendations that Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Mitchell D. Chester made last week.

“Massachusetts is a national leader in education, and today’s vote gives our students, families and educators a better measure of student achievement while maintaining state control over our assessment system,” said Secretary of Education James A. Peyser. “I would like to thank my fellow Board members for the many hours they spent listening to public comment and reviewing materials over the last six months.”

“I am grateful to the Board for their thoughtful review of my recommendation and of all of the input and materials they received,” Commissioner Chester said. “Their vote paves the way to a next-generation assessment that will be a better reflection of student achievement and, at the high school level, of readiness for college and a career.”

For spring 2016, districts that administered PARCC in spring 2015 will do so again, and the remainder of districts will continue with MCAS unless they affirmatively choose to administer PARCC. The MCAS tests in spring 2016 will be augmented with a limited number of PARCC items in order to help make statewide comparisons easier and to offer students and staff the opportunity to experience PARCC items while the new assessment is being developed.

As a result of the vote, the state will:

  • Award a new MCAS contract to include a next-generation assessment for English language arts and math using both PARCC items and items specific to Massachusetts;
  • Commit to computer-based state assessments with the goal of implementing this statewide by spring 2019;
  • Remain a member of the PARCC consortium with access to high-quality assessment development, cost- sharing with other states and the ability to compare next-generation MCAS results with those of other states’ assessments; and
  • Convene groups of K-12 teachers, higher education faculty and assessment experts to advise ESE on the content, length and scheduling of statewide tests; testing policies for students with disabilities and for English language learners; the requirements for the high school competency determination (currently the 10th grade MCAS); and the timeline for reinstating a history and social science test.

Any districts that administer PARCC in spring 2016 will be held harmless for any negative changes in their school and district accountability levels, a policy which is a continuation of the state’s approach to districts that used PARCC in spring 2015. The Board also voted to hold all districts harmless on the basis of test scores in 2017, when all of the state’s districts would use a single test.

Massachusetts has just completed a unique two-year tryout of PARCC (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers), an assessment developed by a consortium of states of which Massachusetts is a founding member. The commonwealth’s participation allowed Massachusetts to pool its expertise with other states, share the costs of test development and realize economies of scale in test administration.

In spring 2014, approximately 81,000 Massachusetts students participated in field tests, and in spring 2015, more than 220,000 students in more than half of the state’s districts took complete PARCC tests. Parents of children who took PARCC in spring 2015 will receive their child’s test scores in late November or early December. The state will release accountability determinations for schools and districts in December.

For more information on Massachusetts’ two-year tryout of PARCC, please see http://www.doe.mass.edu/parcc/.

Newton Energy $avers program

Dear Newton PTOs,

On behalf of Mayor Warren and Green Newton, we are asking for your help on an important environmental initiative for Newton residents.

We announced the Newton Energy $avers program (NE$) in October to fulfill Mayor Warren’s vision for sustainability. With an ambitious goal of completing 1,000 Home Energy Assessments (HEAs) in 12 months, NE$ will save energy and money for residents, while protecting the environment for everyone.

An HEA is free, simple to schedule, and provides homeowners with three core benefits:

•Instant Savings Measures: Energy saving improvements, such as no-cost installation of energy-efficient light bulbs and water-saving devices on qualified fixtures.
•Health and Safety Checks: Test for toxic carbon monoxide, asbestos, mold, mildew, and fire hazards.
• A Customized Action Plan: Recommended next steps to save more money and make your home more comfortable and sustainable, such as weatherization measures, insulation or solar solutions.

Some of you may know of the very successful energy efficiency programs that have been implemented in the school buildings. We are now asking Newton’s PTOs to help bring the benefits of this approach to all Newton residents. We will work with you in any way that makes sense to you and we will support the efforts of participating PTOs with:

  • Fliers and other printed material
  • A web landing page for each school, to make it easy to schedule a home energy assessment
  • Information table with staff at events where you would like the school community to be able to schedule an assessment (e.g., Parent-teacher nights, principal’s coffee)
  • Supporting materials including business cards with address of landing page, talking points, phone call work sheets and other materials
  • Brief article for the PTO newsletter

Not only will your efforts help families benefit from energy savings and safety measures, and help slow climate change, but you can also help your PTO. Green Newton will make a $10 donation to your PTO for each completed HEA resulting from your outreach.

To get your PTO started with Newton Energy $avers send an email to us and the NE$ team at GreenNewtonOutreach@gmail.com.

Sincerely,

Andy Savitz
Newton Sustainability Director

Marcia Cooper
President, Green Newton

NNHS Science Team fundraising

Nick Zhang, vice president of the Newton North Science Team shares that they are actively raising money in order to pay for competition fees and for supplies needed for building and studying. Currently, they are raking leaves to fund-raise for the team. If you are interested, please decide on a rate and contact Nick at nickmzhang@gmail.com. Thank you!

FIRST Lego League Competition on November 21st

The LigerBots are hosting a FIRST Lego League (FLL) qualifying tournament. FLL teams have spent the past two months designing and building robots, researching their projects, and practicing their FIRST core values, and are ready to show off their acheivements. Come and watch the robot games, see the project presentations in an “FLL Idol” event, and explore the mini-Maker’s Faire. This event is free and open to the public, and suitable for kids kindergarten age and older!

FLL is part of FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) and is open to students in grades 4-8. FIRST is an international non­profit youth organization created specifically for “to transform our culture by creating a world where science and technology are celebrated and where young people dream of becoming science and technology leaders”. Student participation in the FLL enhances independence and personal growth, while also highlighting skills needed for teamwork and leadership.

November 21nd, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
Newton North High School

Celebrate Newton Craft Fair

Come to Celebrate Newton, the holiday craft fair sponsored by Newton Community Education, where more than 50 local artisans will be selling hand-crafted jewelry, clothing, photography, soaps, culinary treats, glass work, tote bags, and more. Local musicians and choral groups will perform throughout the day, providing a lovely backdrop while you shop. There will even be a kids craft table and food available for purchase, so bring the kids and make a day of it.

Shop locally this holiday season and buy one-of-a-kind gifts for friends and family at Celebrate Newton. Please visit celebratenewton.com for more details and a complete listing of the artisans who will be selling their work. Net proceeds from the fair support NCE’s scholarship fund. Admission $3.00 (kids under 12 are free).

December 6th, 10:00 am-4:00 pm
Newton South High School

Special concert

On December 19th the Suzuki School of Newton will present a special concert as part of their 30th anniversary grand season, featuring Suzuki students and faculty in an orchestral arrangement of Bach’s Air in G, and movements of the Bach Double Violin Concerto and Vivaldi G Minor Violin Concerto, as well as other concertos and pieces for several instruments including guitar and flute, and piano sonatas performed “concertino” style. Free to the public. Reception to follow.

December 19th, 5:00 pm, First Baptist Church, 848 Beacon St, Newton Centre

www.suzukinewton.org

 

Newton Community Preservation Committee Upcoming Public Hearings

The agenda for the next CPC meeting on  November 19th , 7:00 pm, City Hall Room 204, includes West Newton Affordable Housing ($471,117):

  • 300 Hammond Pond Parkway/Webster Woods – discussion of a brief submission from the Conservation Commission (neither a pre- nor a full proposal)
  • Public hearing and possible funding vote on 10-12 Cambria Road (West Newton) $471,117 CAN-DO request, to create 2 units of affordable rental housing

The full agenda and pre-meeting packet are online from Committees & Meetings at www.newtonma.gov/cpa.

Community Weekend at Historic Newton

Newton residents are invited to enjoy free admission to both Newton Historic museums. Come to the Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds, 286 Waverley Avenue, AND the Jackson Homestead and Museum, 527 Washington Street.

For questions, please call Historic Newton at 617-796-1450 or 617-641-9142 or visit http://www.historicnewton.org

December 5th and 6th, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Be the Parent you want to be! A New Way of Understanding and Parenting Kids

 

Do you ever feel frustrated with your child? Find yourself shouting often and imposing punishments or rewards in reaction to challenging behavior? Do you wish you had a more effective parenting approach that also helps to build a better relationship between you and your child? Think:Kids Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS) approach, based in MGH’s Department of Psychiatry, provides parents with concrete tools to better understand and parent their kids in the face of day-to-day challenges – e.g., getting to school, homework, screen time, bedtime – and more serious challenges. It’s based on the understanding that many kids lack the skill, not the will, to behave well – specifically skills related to problem solving, flexibility and frustration tolerance.

Parents who attend the CPS overview learn to:

  • Shift their thinking and approach to foster positive relationships with their child
  • Reduce their child’s challenging behavior
  • Solve problems collaboratively and proactively
  • Help their child develop skills related to self-regulation, communication and problem-solving

For more information and to register for 2016 classes in Newton, please visit: http://www.betheparentyouwanttobe.weebly.com

Book Discussion Invitation

October 23, 2015

Dear Newton Families,

As many of you know, college admissions has become an increasingly frenetic and pressured process. While our high schools in Newton have developed a college planning philosophy designed to support students and families, the energy, angst and resource devoted to the process can push some students and their families to the brink. What should we do about a phenomenon that can feel out of control?

New York Times columnist and best selling author, Frank Bruni, has written a compelling new book which offers a thoughtful perspective on college admissions. In sum, Bruni argues that where a student goes to college is far less important than many of us previously believed. The book offers a counter narrative for students and their families who feel that their future and self-worth depends on a “yes” or a “no” from a certain group of colleges.

I think Bruni’s perspective is especially timely given that we have seen a spike in stress and anxiety among our students. Since reading the book, I have a consistently quoted Bruni when the topic of college admissions comes up in conversation: “Where you go is not who you’ll be.” I hope this message resonates with others after reading his book.

On Wednesday, December 2nd, I will hold a superintendent/parent book discussion on Where You Go Is Not Who You’ll Be. It will give us an opportunity to talk about the book as a community and hear from a panel with extensive experience in the college admissions process. The panelists will include:

  •  Jennifer King, College Consultant and Retired Guidance Department Head, Newton
    South High School
  • Beth Swederskas, Guidance Department Head, Newton North High School
  • Ronne Patrick Turner, Associate Vice President for Enrollment and Dean of
    Admissions – Northeastern University

Here are the details:
December 2nd (7:00 p.m-8:30 p.m.)
Newton South Library

Here is the link with further information about the book. We have also included articles written by Frank Bruni on the topic. http://www.newton.k12.ma.us/bookdiscussion2015
I hope to see you for what should be a lively conversation on December 2nd.

Sincerely,

David Fleishman
Superintendent of Schools

Video can be seen here: Video invitation