W6PSPO Meeting Notes – June 18, 2019

June 18, 2019
Payne Elementary School, 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.

1. Discussion on what makes a rich curriculum – Jessica Sutter (DC State Board of Education – Ward 6 Representative)
   • SBOE Role:
     • No power over books, approach, etc
     • Purview over state standards: focus on social studies, art, health, pe
   • SBOE Challenges:
     • Not sure what is being taught in schools; what are students actually learning?
       • looking at required time allocated to curricular areas; if schools are dedicating time to subjects per state standards (example: mandates that physical education be provided for an average of at least 150 minutes per week for students in grades Kindergarten through five and an average of at least 225 minutes per week for students in grades six through eight)
       • If schools are not dedicating required classroom time to subjects, what is getting in the way?
   • Process:
     • Reviewed Ward 6 school websites for curriculum / calendars. Not all schools publish schedules; spoke w/ principals; reaching out to community
   • Learnings/Discussion
     • PE: Most schools list 30 mins for elementary schools
     • Concerns that when classroom time is allocated to social studies and science, there is less time for literacy
     • For Elementary: Teachers may be asked to teach new subjects, which can be a professional development issue
     • For Middle Schools: Standards won’t change, but adequate staffing is an issue
     • Science: lack of materials and qualified/competent teachers is an issue
     • Access to resources and equity issues impact the ability for schools to offer content meeting standards
     • Gentrification impact: needs change, students don’t all face intense needs and now needs are more about “lifting students from above”.
     • Stuart Hobson adds advanced/elective offerings by stretching the schedule w/ 0 period, etc.
2. At-Risk Funding and Transparency Bills Hearing –
   • Hearing video recording: http://dc.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=5104
   • Testimony by W6PSPO and partners: https://chpspo.org/tag/testimony/
3. W6PSPO Strategy
   • Annual tour of schools by CM Allen?
     • Need point person for each school
   • Attend CM Allen office hours with focus on school facility issues
   • Working on W6PSPO branding, communication strategy changes to better reflect Ward 6-wide work.

Next CHPSPO Meeting: July 16, 2019

Upcoming Events

October 2: School Transparency Amendment Act of 2019 Hearing: Committee of the Whole and Education.

Visit W6PSPO on the web at http://chpspo.org