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[quote=Anonymous][b]Student Attendance Pathway and Engagement[/b]

In January 2019, a committee was formed to explore what factors compel students to drop out of school or infrequently attend school. This concern speaks to MCPS’ core values, equity, and ensuring that each student embraces education as a pathway toward a fulfilling future.

This exploratory committee compiled a report and presented its findings at the July 29 Board meeting.  The report presented examined relationships between chronic absenteeism, varying levels of student engagement, and factors influencing both. The study found several key areas impacting student attendance, including: lack of relationships with other students and staff members; reading below grade level; challenges for English Language Learner students; keeping students engaged through partnerships, internships and other pathways to graduation; obtaining help and guidance through counselors and social services; equipping staff through professional staff development, teaching methodologies and models; articulation between school levels; special education programs and the availability of unique pathways to graduation; disengagement at the middle school level; and the use of evidence of learning and eligibility measures to track student progress.

The analysis and findings of the report also were presented, including the successful factors and barriers to student engagement. Staff and Board members stressed the importance of meeting the needs of every student through relationships and equitable access to resources to keep students engaged.

Read the memorandum to the Board.

https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/BEBM2D591C6C/$file/Student%20Attendance%20Pathway%20Engagement%20190729.pdf

[b]
New Business Item: Supporting Student Access to Nutritional Meals[/b]

The Board raised supporting student access to nutritional meals as a new business item to be considered and to vote  on at the next Board meeting. The following resolution will lie on the table until the August 29, 2019, meeting.

Proposed Resolution:

Resolved, that the Board of Education request that the Board’s Policy Management Committee review the need for a policy that addresses the school system’s role in combatting childhood hunger; benchmark with local and similarly situated school districts and consider bringing forward a recommendation to the Board of Education during the 2019–2020 school year.

[b]
Innovative Approaches to Alternative Education[/b]

Board members received a presentation on the Recovery and Academic Program (RAP),  and the juvenile services education county pilot program at Alfred D. Noyes Children’s Center and the efforts of the programs to serve students who need additional support. An overview of each program was provided.

The RAP pairs academic coursework from Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) with recovery support services provided at The Landing, Family Services recovery clubhouse. The impetus for the program is to enable students to continue to work toward graduation in a safe and supportive environment during the day, while learning the necessary skills needed to maintain sobriety in the afternoons and evenings. Funded by a Maryland State Government grant, the program is free of charge to Montgomery County youth and accepts referrals from MCPS, juvenile drug court, and other nonprofit agencies. In addition, staff members offered an explanation of the referral process, the daily program, outcomes and insight about the program’s first year of implementation.

Information about the Alfred D. Noyes Children’s Center also was presented to the Board. Currently, the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) Juvenile Services Education System (JSES) provides educational services in 13 residential facilities operated by the Department of Juvenile Services (DJS). In 2018, the Maryland General Assembly passed House Bill (HB) 1607 establishing the Juvenile Services Education County Pilot Program. The purpose of the program is to pilot a model for the oversight of education for children in the juvenile justice system by local boards of education.

Through a partnership between MCPS and MSDE, the Alfred J. Noyes Children’s Center in Rockville will serve as the JSES facility participant in the pilot. The pilot project team will be managed by the Noyes School principal with support from the site coach and MCPS executive director (chief academic officer) and consists of representatives from MCPS offices, as well as representatives from MSDE and JSES. The reconstitution of this team  is essential to a successful implementation plan in this first year of the pilot.

Discussion also focused on the proposed bodies of work supported by MCPS for the pilot; proposed grant-funded supports; and proposed MCPS in-kind supports.

Read the memorandum to the Board.
https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/BEBM275914C2/$file/Innovative%20Approaches%20Alt%20Ed%20190729.pdf
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