2004-11-04 - Laserfiche WebLink

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NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CHARLOTTESVILLE CITY COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON Thursday, November 4, 2004 AT 11:30 a.m. IN THE Buford School Media Center. THE PROPOSED AGENDA IS AS FOLLOWS: Luncheon meeting with School Board BY ORDER OF THE MAYOR BY Jeanne Cox BUFORD SCHOOL MEDIA CENTER- November 4, 2004 Council met in special session on this date with the following members present: Dr. Brown, Mr. Caravati, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Schilling. Absent: Ms. Hamilton. Dr. Scottie Griffin, Superintendent of Schools, said that "No Child Left Behind" will be discussed. Mr. Harley Miles of Charlottesville Schools, explained Virginia Accreditation and federal Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) assessments, rating, pass rate requirements, participation requirements and sanctions. Responding to questions from Dr. Brown, Mr. Miles said that, with some exceptions, the Schools have not made AYP for two years. He said supplemental services must be provided to the neediest students after not meeting AYP for three years, and 20% of Title I funds are set aside for that purpose if needed. Dr. Griffin said that next year if Clark does not make AYP supplemental services will have to be offered. She said it is important to know where strengths and weaknesses are. Dr. Brown asked if this applies to schools where there is no choice, such as Charlottesville High School, Walker and Buford, and Mr. Miles said these are not Title I Schools, but they are subject to choice. He said the Schools would work with Albemarle County in order to provide choice. Mr. Lynch asked if we do not do Title I are we out $1.6 million, and Mr. Miles said this would affect all federal funds, approximately $4 million. Dr. Brown asked if there are other tests that can be used rather than SOLs, and Mr. Miles said only tests approved by the State Board of Education can be substituted. Dr. Griffin said that alternate assessments can be used in addition to SOLs, and if it can be shown that students do better on those they can be used to show progress, but she noted they still have to be approved. She said they are checking to see if the Flanagan tests can be used. Mr. Caravati asked why the decision was made to use Flanagan tests when it is not known if they will be accepted by the Board of Education, and Dr. Griffin said the Flanagans are directly aligned with the SOLs and are used by over 90 schools districts in the state. Council and School Board members discussed opting out of Title I funds. It was noted that the state would have to approve not designating a school Title I. Mr. Lynch said that No Child Left Behind is a great concept, but is not being implemented very well. He said there are some procedures that are punitive and not in the best interest of children. He said he is not convinced that testing is the right thing. He said he is more interested in a cohort making progress. He said if we have to go through with testing, we should be testing what we want to test. Mr. Lynch asked if