Superintendent’s Self-Evaluation...feelings regarding the quality of education, delivery of...

Superintendent’s Self-Evaluation

April 2010

Matthew H. Malone, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools

Crosby Administration Building 43 Crescent Street Brockton, Massachusetts 02301-4376

www.brocktonpublicschools.com

Brockton. Education. Industry. Progress.

Introduction The Brockton School Committee selected me as Superintendent of the Brockton Public Schools on June 23, 2009, and I began my duties on August 24th. Prior to my first day, I met with the School Committee in retreat to outline the Committee’s goals for my first year as Superintendent. During that intensive strategy session, I explained that I would spend the first 120 days of my superintendency gathering information, visiting sites and meeting with administrators, teachers, parents and community members to gauge their thoughts and feelings regarding the quality of education, delivery of service and effectiveness of the district structure. On January 19, 2010, I presented my Entry Plan to the School Committee and outlined my Realigning Resources for Results (R³) plan, which provides a strategic three- to five-year blueprint for improving achievement and increasing efficiencies in the Brockton Public Schools. This Superintendent’s Self-Evaluation will serve as an official record of my first year to date as superintendent of the Brockton Public Schools. In this report you will find details of the efforts I have made in meeting the Superintendent’s Initiatives/Objectives as outlined by the School Committee at its August 20, 2009 Retreat. This self-evaluation has been an effective tool for me to look at the efforts my leadership team and I have undertaken to move the Brockton Public Schools forward. I think you will see that our hard work and focus have led to great progress in the four major areas being addressed: Teaching & Learning, School Climate, Operations and School Committee Relations. Still, I am aware of the areas where I need to improve and I hope this evaluation tool will help us all continue to improve our district structure, our instructional delivery system, and most of all, I hope that it will enhance our efforts to drive increased academic performance for all students.

Entry In preparing my Entry Plan, I met with site leaders, faculty and staff in all buildings and at all levels of the system, PreK-12. I conducted in-depth instructional visits at each site and provided detailed feedback and analysis of my observations. I also met individually with principals and districtwide administrators. These meetings helped me to get a sense of the district’s strengths and functionality. I was impressed by the level of professionalism, pride, and purpose that I saw at every building and among staff members of all levels.

A major component of my Entry Plan was to engage parents and community members. During my first four months on the job, I met with hundreds of stakeholders in small and large group meetings, asking for their input, comments and suggestions about the Brockton Public Schools. I met with PAC/PTA officers, School Committee and City Council members, business and community leaders, and members of diverse constituencies – holding meetings in English, Spanish, Cape Verdean Creole and Haitian Creole. Throughout this intense and exhilarating fact-finding process, it became abundantly clear that our community considers its school system to be the jewel of the city. Brocktonians are very proud of the national recognition Brockton High School has earned; they are thrilled by the diverse offerings we provide to early childhood, special education, talented and gifted and regular education students; and they believe in the power of public education. The comments were overwhelmingly positive, but we also received constructive criticism that I took back to my Executive Team and site leaders and we have worked to correct issues and improve our systems where the community has correctly directed our focus.

Focus on the work The Initiatives/Goals that the School Committee provided me in August provided a clear roadmap for improvement efforts this year. But in life there are always curveballs, and I found myself also dealing with a host of unforeseen issues in the first months of my administration. During the fall and winter, we met the H1N1 pandemic head on, inoculating hundreds of students and staff against the infectious virus without interrupting the students’ academic day. I dealt with a non-fatal shooting on the grounds of Brockton High School, immediately upgrading and updating safety systems to protect our students; and through a somewhat painful self-evaluation, I took action to reassign command and control of our School Police force to professionals at the Brockton Police Department. The advent of monsoon-like conditions necessitated an exhaustive study of our school buildings which resulted in a $60 million comprehensive Capital Outlay Plan. Handling situations as they arise is part of a superintendent’s job, but it never derails the focus on learning and teaching. During my first year, I convened cross-functional teams of staff members from all levels of the system to analyze our goals and create metrics to meet them. The R3 plan was developed by a diverse group of educators and administrators from all buildings and programmatic areas, and last week I convened cross-functional work teams to develop and diagram the systems and strategies we will use to meet our goals. Those teams consist of teachers, administrators, paraprofessionals and custodians from all over the district. Brockton is rich with talent; our administrative and teaching teams understand effective strategy and constantly seek out new and better educational practice. This year we have

focused on improving elementary education models; creating school- and district-wide math initiatives; building bridges between the International Baccalaureate Middle Years and Diploma programs; creating alternative pathways for at-risk students; addressing the needs of special education populations; and in creating better ways of assessing student progress and evaluating instruction. These are the keys to our success, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to helping every child succeed, no matter what lengths we must go to in order to tailor instruction and provide supports for individual students. Community support is critical to the success of schools, and I believe that it is my job to build coalitions, to foster better understanding and to show my support of students, staff and city through my own personal involvement. That’s why I work many 12-hour days on average, and why I’ve only taken 4 vacation days and not one sick or personal day this year. It is why I attend all of the concerts, the drama festivals; why I drive to out-of-state sport events and participate in city parades; it is the reason I spend my Saturdays at the Historical Society’s Edison Essay Contest or at athletic events. I do these things because the speed of the leader determines the speed of the team. If I want greater involvement and investment in our schools, it is my job to provide that to the community I serve. Moving forward, we will build our success upon a platform of inclusion. The meetings I have held and continue to hold with parents, business and community leaders inform all of our efforts and gathering input will be a mainstay of my superintendency because the will of the people is the way of the world.

Areas to improve upon I believe that self-evaluation is an important and integral part of an effective workplace. Reflection and introspection are things we all need to do regularly so that we remain steadfast in our mission and honest about our performance. I am keenly aware of my own shortcomings as a superintendent, and chief among the areas I need to work on is School Committee relations. My focus has always been on kids and the classroom, and my personality is geared toward action and immediate results. Politics is not my strong suit and not why I got into this work in the first place. I know this, and I know I need to do a better job of operating within a political environment. I recognize that we share the same mission – helping students succeed – and that I need to better communicate with you the steps I am taking to address daily needs and long-term goals. I am not unaware that at times my manner has been brusque with some of you and I assure you that this is something I reflect upon daily. Please know that I respect your opinions and I welcome your counsel because I value honest, open communication. I am results-oriented and I believe in our protocols and in Education Reform. I know there is still much work to be done in our “getting to know each other.” I think we can all agree that

how business and relationships have been conducted in the past is not how they will be conducted in the future.

Conclusion One of the things I have found most refreshing about the Brockton Public Schools is the honesty with which our administrators, faculty, staff and School Committee approach our mission: we are not afraid to be critical of ourselves, we aggressively pursue new methods to improve our instruction and operations, and we are always laser-focused on the students. That’s the real work; it is honest and honorable work, and I am proud to be part of such a selfless and dedicated team. The next few years will be difficult financially; of that there is no question. The Brockton Public Schools will have to reinvent itself as a leaner and more effective structure that supports learning at all levels and for all students. I will do everything in my power to limit the effect of budget cuts on the classroom, but there will be deep and significant cuts as we “right size” ourselves to close a structural deficit that exists between our current operational structure and our current and future operating revenues. Please accept this Self-Evaluation document as a component of my overall evaluation. I am very proud of the work that we’ve done this year and I feel really good about the progress we are making toward meeting our goals of increased student achievement results. Clearly, I have a very hard job. But I love this job, and I love this school system, and I am committed to doing everything within my power to making this the best school system in the state of Massachusetts.

A. Road Map Coherence, Year III

۞ Description: Utilize MA Curriculum Frameworks to target instruction and gauge student proficiency & academic progress

Responsible: Road Map Team

Accomplishments

September October November Professional Development Activities provided at the K-12 Principal meetings and at the level meetings.

The Road Map Team continues to meet weekly to discusss and plan for district wide implementation of strategies for improving instruction and student achievement.

Began work on restructuring theClassroom Walkthrough tool to align with the actual protocol that has been established.

December January February

Requested that department heads, building principals associate princ ipals and members of the respected ILTs to become involved in the process of reviewing and amending the proposed changes in the Classroom walkthrough Tool.

Have begun to review Roadmap walkthrough tool.

Site-based ILTs are gathering data from formative assessment to project progress being made toward improving instruction and projecting upcoming results on the MCAS

March April May

Building review meetings are being completed. Each building has data meeting scripts which they will use to set academic goals for the spring benchmark assessments.

Teaching & Learning Goals

Progress Update:

COMPLETE

۞ Description: Continue to model K-12 Standards of Learning Instruction


Accomplishments

September October November Provide revised version of the Walk Through Tool to K-12 Administrators. Continue to meet weekly with Road Map Team to assess progress in implementation of the

Conducted Walk throughs at ten of the district's schools and provided and met with the repective ILTs at each school t debrief. A written report was also provided for each building principal.

Conducted Walk throughs at eight of the district's schools and provided and met with the repective ILTs at each school to debrief. A written report was also provided for each building principal.


Conducted Walk throughs at eight of the district's schools and provided and met with the repective ILTs at each school to debrief. A written report was also provided for each building principal.

Building reviews are being scheduled.

Building Reviews are continuing to be held. All school reviews will be completed by March 30, 2010.

March April May

Building review meetings are being completed. See above.

Progress Update:

COMPLETE

۞ Description: Better Communication of Student Achievement Data around the system

Responsible: Dr. Ethan Cancell & Road Map Team

Accomplishments

September October November • Sent MCAS results to all principals by grade band of BPS and comparable urban districts • Sent AYP report to each school leader

• Sent School Committee School Profiles • Led training of understanding growth model. Conducted Growth model analysis

• Presented to SC district performance indicators, with a particular focus on gap analysis & trends • Presentation uploaded onto district website • Presently working on an additional data presentatiion on SPED performance. • OTL math and reading depts. continue to review MCAS results for trends. Recommendations have been made to principals and IRS


Continued work with Lab managers and buidling leaders to understand student growth data

Created one page report summarizing accountability of all BPS schools

Culling and analyzing data in preparation for March presentation to School Committee on SPED achievement levels

March April May

Presented a combined report by Dr. Cancel and Kay Seale on Achievement Data regarding Special Education Students, and Special Education programs

Progress Update:

COMPLETE

۞ Description: Focus effort & resources on inclusion classrooms

Responsible: Dr. Salvatore Terrasi

Accomplishments

September October November Participate in CSEFEL TRain the Trainer Model - Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning

Participate in MOU development re. common assessments

Assessment Development Committees [3-5 & 6-8] scheduled to begin @ Keith for Science.


Implement bew DESE restraint form and conduct training as needed

Second offering of 3-credit graduate level course conducted by Lesley University: "The Impact of Trauma on Learning" [SPR' 2010]

Training for the Brookfield and Angelo School Staffs re. Helping Traumatized Children Learn initiative [Joe Ristuccia]

March April May

Sped Staff meeting to discuss external program evaluation of service delivery model

Progress Update:

ONGOING

۞ Description: Develop stronger communication network to help parents understand academic goals & expectations

Responsible: Superintendent & site leaders

Accomplishments

September October November Superintendent introduced MCAS data at Parents' Academy, BCA TV show, Plymouth County Democratic Committee breakfast and MetroSouth Chamber of Commerce

• Held Parents Academy workshops on helping children with math and using libraries to the best advantage • Met with parents, community leaders & stakeholders to discuss district goals

•Teaching & Learning K-5 distributed informational pamphlets explaining benefits of new Standards Based Report Cards and how to understand them


• Met with Superintendent PAC, gave presentation on Standards-Based Report Cards • Held parent meeting with French, Spanish & low-incidence SEI parents

• Spoke at Massasoit Community College Martin Luther King Day celebration, discussed importance of community support of schools • Met with business leaders and communtiy partners to discuss R3

• Met with Superintendent PAC to discuss SBRC, follow-up on ongoing issues and explain Entry Report and R3 • Sought community input on R3

March April May

• Continue to utilize website and school-based parent meetings to discuss ongoing school issues and importance of upcoming MCAS test

Progress Update:

ONGOING

B. PreK-12 Literacy Initiative ۞ Description: Continue to expand on cross-curricular Literacy Objectives at BHS

Responsible: Dr. Susan Szachowicz

Accomplishments

September October November • World Café faculty meeting to introduce school-wide focus on reasoning skills & problem solving strategies • Prof Dvpmt for Math Dept focusing on Algebra

• Literacy Workshop on incorporating "Quick Writes" into the content areas • Restructuring Committee developing a problem solving interdisciplinary workshop to support focus on Reasoning Skills

• Department meetings focused on incorportating Quick Writes into all content areas and implementing formative assessment • Restructuring Committee continued focus on Reasoning Skills


Faculty workshops focused on Differentiating Instruction in the content areas and formative assessment strategies

Faculty workshops continue on formative assessment and differentiated instruction - in particular, dept. meetings in January will model grouping strategies within disciplines

Faculty workshops continued in departments focused on strategies for diffferentiated instruction with an emphasis on modelilng grouping strategies. (The second meeting in Feb. was the ethics questionaire)

March April May

Faculty workshops developed on Problem Solving Strategies. The first workshop was interdisciplinary, the second departmental. Teachers were trained in four problem solving strategies to teach the students.

Continuation of the problem solving initiative in departments throughout April. This is being implemented in all classes prior to the MCAS exams in math and the sciences.

Continuation of the problem solving implementation AND a review of the open response workshop in math and science.

Progress Update:

ONGOING

۞ Description: Clearly articulate Middle School ELA curriculum by identifying essentials skills that students must masters for a successful transition to high school

Responsible: John Jerome & Eileen McQuaid

Accomplishments

September October November Submitted summary of ELA/English/Reading Curriculum for grades 6-8 to the superintendent.

Report on RISE Testing; Brockton Public School delivered by Dr. Catherine Snow on October 28th to all Middle School Principals, Associate Principals, and administrators of all programs supporting M.S instruction.

• Proposed Anchor Papers presented to ELA teachers at all grade 6-8 ELA Department Meetings • Continue to empahsize the value and effectivieness of the RISE Testing Program at the Middles School Level.


• Ms. McQuaid continues to work with her surriculum sub-committee to develop Middle School ELA curriculum • As each element is completed, Ms. McQuaid and her team review the progress with grade 6-8 Middle School ELA teachers to encourage comments and sugges

Progress in the developemnt of the 6-8 ELA Curriculum Guide continues. Committee members have worked on finalizing the essential questions.

• Professional Development time will be used to present the ELA Curriculum to all members of the Middle School ELA Department • The roll-out of the curriculum will be the focus for the remaining ELA Department Meetings

March April May

Associate Principals will schedule additional Professional Devlopement time for activities necessary to the implementation of the ELA Curriculum

Progress Update:

ONGOING

۞ Description: Expand the three-tiered Response to Intervention (RTI) model to all elementary & middle schools

Responsible: Virginia Lynch

Accomplishments

September October November • Workshop for all elementary site leaders and their teams. Included overview of RtI (on P drive), RtI and Behavior • RtI training video posted on the P drive as of 9/24/09

• Workshop for grades 1-3 teachers, RRS, MSN, Title 1 and SEI teachers in the use of the PALM and DIBELS • Hosted 3 webinars on RTI for elementary and middle school administrators

• Training video for RTI Tier I instruction on P drive • Principals trained and will use training video with their staffs


• 3rd in the RtI series to be presented to site leaders. Will be posted on P dirive • Met with SPED PAC to present RTI.

• Three tiered RTI -- tier 2 has been presented to all site leaders, RRS, and IRS including middle school RRS and IRS. The ppt. is posted on the P drive • RTI brochure for parents developed

March April May

• Tier 3 of RTI to be presented to the site leaders, RRS, IRS including middle school IRS and RRS • The ppt to be posted on the P drive

RTI for parents brochure to be distributed at parent/teacher conferences

Deliver Response to Intervention presentation to School Committee

Progress Update:

ONGOING

۞ Description: Utilize K-12 Benchmark Exemplars to better determine what areas of instruction need bolstering

Responsible: Road Map Team & Content Area Leaders

Accomplishments

September October November ELA and Math Department heads and Coordinators will be reviewing teacher plans and student work to best identify exemplars within the four content areas

• Folder created on the P drive for exemplar objectives.

• Monitored the exemplars for content and competency. • Made the exemplars and the subsequent posting on the P drive an agenda item for all content department meetings


• Used the December Middle School PrincipalsMeeting to discuss how best to foster the use of the exemplars that are being posted on the P drive • Principals will use one of the January faculty meetings to prioritize the use of the exemplars with their respec

Writing exemplars to be discussed and collected at prinicpals' meeting. Will be posted on the P drive

At the next three K-12 Principals Meeting, discussions wil be focused on information and data gathered by schools to assess the implementation and effectiveness of Exemplar Practices

March April May

At the remaining prek-5 principals meeting, principals will review student work and choose writing exemplars to be posted on the P drive

Progress Update:

ONGOING

۞ Description: Continue to employ K-12 Common Assessments to plan curriculum and interventions

Responsible: Road Map Team & Content Area Leaders

Accomplishments

September October November Began work on developing Common Assessments using resources from the Memorandum of Understanding between the DESE and the Brockton Public Schools

Met with represnetativesof Science and Math Curriculla liaisons from the DESE to plan for study groups and steering committees work in the development of Common Assessments

• Linda Santry and Dr. Terrasi have begun the work that was planned and supported through the MOU • The members of the study groups and steering committees have been and the initial meting was held at the Keith School


• The schedule for the meeting of the study groups and steering committee have been set • Work has been assigned, and the process for expanding the number of common assessments at the grade spans of 3-5 and 6-8 has begun.

• The schedule for the meeting of the study groups and steering committee have been set • Work has been assigned, and the process for expanding the number of common assessments at the grade spans of 3-5 and 6-8 has begun

Progress continues in the development of common assessments at the grade spans 3-5 and 6-8.

March April May

Continue to monitor and catalog the development of common assessments at the grade spans 3-5 and 6-8.

Progress Update:

ONGOING

C. PreK-12 Numeracy ۞ Description: Develop higher order critical thinking skills through problem solving with a greater emphases on the practical implications of math vs. the rote method

Responsible: Site Level Leaders

Accomplishments

September October November Begin consultation with Ed Joyce ofEfficacy Institute to provide PD on focusing strengthening math instruction for all secondary school math teachers

Professional Development continuing through Ed Joyce of the Efficacy Institute for all teachers of Algebra I. PD includes workshops, in-class modeling, and videotaping of classes to review instruction

• Professional Development continuing for Algebra I teachers with Ed Joyce of the Efficacy Institute • Restructuring Committee is planning schoolwide problem solving workshop using Crossing the River with Dogs


Professional Development continuing with Ed Joyce for Algebra I teachers; problem solving workshop planning continuing for interdisciplinary implementation.

• Professional Development continuing with Ed Joyce for Algebra I teachers • Problem solving workshop planning continuing for interdisciplinary implementation.

Articulation Folder Plan for Grade 6-8 launched, students complete an MCAS open response question prepared with input from Math Steering Committee

March April May

Unit tests given to Gr. 2-8 students in preparation for MCAS; all tests have open response & short answer questions where students can apply what they’ve learned

Math Steering Committee working on interventions to go along with core curriculum so that teachers can work with students in applying & improving thinking strategies

Progress Update:

ONGOING

۞ Description: Study the middle school-high school algebra articulation model to develop a better, clearer path

Responsible: John Jerome

Accomplishments

September October November Work with BHS and the Efficacy Institute consultant to improve, not only instructional techniques, but also transistions between all levels and programs

Planned for and developed schedule for a series of all for one workshops to allow for all secondary math teachers to work together with the consultant from Math Efficacy. This is a component of the MOU with DESE

Professional Development will begin for Algebra I teachers with Linda Santry and Mary Sundstrom. Concentration of work will be based on how the current protocols and procedures are working as regards to the selection of students for Algebra I in grade eight for this school year


Planning to diiscuss the feasibility of having a Professional Development Middle School Algebra I teachers with Ed Joyce of the Efficacy Institute Project will be initiated

Develped Schedule that would allow one Midle School Math teacher from each building to participate in the Efficacy Institute Project

Implemented schedule that provided six Middle School Math teachers the opportunity to participate in the Efficacy Training Program being conducted by Ed Joyce at BHS

March April May

Continue with the work being conducted by the Efficacy group to foster the use of BHS best instructional practices at the Middle Schools.

Review the assessment piece used to evaluate Algebra I at both the Middle Schools and High School levels. Current final exam has been in use for the best five years. Assessment needs to be more aligned to coursewaork and mapping

Progress Update:

ONGOING

۞ Description: Utilize RTI model to tailor PreK-5 curriculum, instruction & support models to help all students achieve in math


Accomplishments

September October November • Sites are piloting "walk to interventions" in math. • Restructing of math schedules and curriculum to include time for interventions

• Benchmark assessements are completed and flexible groupings have been extablished at the sites.

• Additional data meetings for elementary schools are being held. Funding--MOU.


4 classrooms are piloting EnVision math

Site leaders will be trained in Response to Intervention--Tier 2 Training is posted on P drive

BSRI will develop pilot math programs/iinterventions at the Kennedy School

March April May

All elementary schools have implemented RTI in math using models such as Walk to Math, using Title I and MSN as interventionists.

RTI continues in math. Effectiveness of these models are reviewed a data meetings.

Progress Update:

ONGOING

D. Standards-Based Report Cards ۞ Description: Implement K-5 Standards-Based Report Cards, refining needs based on feedback


Accomplishments

September October November • Standards report cards sent electronically to all sites for final review. • Report cards are being entered into Infinite Campus

• Numerous communications to staff regarding report cards • Parent standards based report cards will be completed by October 31

SB report cards issued at parent/teacher conferences.


Met with city wide PAC -- presented Grading and SB report cards.

SB report cards will be issued for term 2. The comment sections and indicator 2 will be adjusted.

• SBC term 2 issued for k - 5. • Met with Superintendent PAC to discuss SBRCs, outlined upcoming changes, answered questions

March April May

Report card revision committee established.

Parent meeting to review SBR and honor rolls. WMS.

Progress Update:

COMPLETE

۞ Description: Develop Standards-Based Report Cards for Grades 6-8, focusing on Grade 6 in 2009-2010


Accomplishments

September October November • Draft of grade 6 report card completed

Continue to monitor progress of not only the "draft" grade six SBRC but also the completed Draft SBRC developed for the IB program at the Plouffe Academy

Atended the Parent Meeting at the Plouffe School for the presentation and explanation of the SBRC for the Plouffe Academy


The job advertisement will be submitted requesting applicants for the Standards Based Report Card Development Committee for Grade six

Reorganized the development of the SBRC into three distinct stages. Research, Evaluation and Development

Provide exe,plars of SBRC from various resources for the committee to review and evaluate for use in the Brockton Middle Schools

March April May

Administrative Team from Middle School Level reviewed the work and recommendations of the SBRC committee and made suggestions and comments

SBRC will be produced in Draft Form for review by ILT at all Middle Schools

Progress Update:

ONGOING

E. Student Achievement Results ۞ Description: Analyze & present student achievement results across all BPS levels to include system and site-level constituents

Responsible: John Jerome & Dr. Ethan Cancell

Accomplishments

September October November • Sent MCAS results to all principals by grade band of BPS and comparable urban districts • Sent AYP report to each school leader.

• Led PD for understanding and interpreting growth model • Led training on Testwiz.net for district formative assessments.

• Gave detailed MCAS data presentation to School Committee (also posted on BPS website) • Eteam parsed data to study results and devise new strategies going forward • Superintendent shared data with community through large and small group meetings


Created report on drop out rates and graduation rates.

• Focus on SPED achievment data. Compared to state, aggregate, and comparable districts • Disagregated results by grade level. Examined SAT scores 2006-09 for BPS students

Help OTL upload DIBELS results to testwiz and analyze results

March April May

• Presented report on Student w/ disabilities subgroup MCAS data • Assisted Huntington staff with in depth analysis of Hunting achievement and growth data

Form study team to analyze and explore reasons for the Students w/ Disabilities subgroup achievement gap

Progress Update:

COMPLETE

۞ Description: Provide gap analysis in order to focus on closing the achievement gap based on all DESE target subgroups

Responsible: John Jerome & Dr. Ethan Cancell

Accomplishments

September October November Initiated dialogue to begin planning for this project

Collected and cleaned dataset to allow for accurate analysis by grade, school, and district level analysis

Developing drill-down reports on strengths & weaknesses for each MCAS subgroup, as well as at the district level


• Investigated impact of multiple subgroup affiliation and MCAS results to determine relative impact on achiemvement • Created report investigating role of race and suspension.

• Focus on SPED achievment data. Compared to state, aggregate, and comparable districts • Disagregated results by grade level.

Meet with CFT to discuss SPED MCAS presentation

March April May

Conducted analysis on students who are in multiple subgroups (Money matters--achievement is negatively correlated with Low Income Status)

With study team, Analyze IEP and IST Team Process and determine the extent to which plans with specialized instruction are aligned with need

Progress Update:

ONGOING

F. Alternate Pathways ۞ Description: Study current programs both in-district & throughout the region

Responsible: Dr. Salvatore Terrasi

Accomplishments

September October November Develop Shannon grant proposal with Brockton Police re. Keith School Pathways Center

• Involve Pathway students with Downtown Business Association projects [e.g, Holiday Parade]. BMHC planning mtg. • Held meeting with districtwide task force on dropout recovery, pathways & programs

BMHC planning mtg. Meeting [11/17] Assessment Devleopment Committee in Science [grades 3-5 & 6-8].


• Seek DESE [or other] funding for Afternoon Academy: Sem II • Held meeting in Brockton with leaders of the MET School Multiple site visits to Champion & Russell

MET School visit Providence RI PCG demonstration of Ed. Plan system for documenting RtI academic & behavioral interventions

BMHC training on FERPA & Educational Records --Mary J. Reedy

March April May

• DESE Behavioral Health and Public Schools Task Force---Discuss Report to Legislature • Site visit to North Shore Recovery High School

• Working to identify partners & funding to establish Recovery High School

Progress Update:

COMPLETE

۞ Description: Study current programs both in-district & throughout the region

Responsible: Superintendent, Dr. Terrasi & Dr. Cancell

Accomplishments

September October November Advertise positions for after-school job-readiness program for students @ Keith School.

• Trauma Advisory Board mtg. @ Raymond School • Set up visit for SPED Director and staff to see in-house alternative programs at Newton North HS

Helping Traumatized Children Learn Initiative meeting with Mass Advocates/Harvard Grad. School.


Work with HR Dept. to revise and update job descriptions for Guidance and Adjustment Counselors

Meeting with Ephraim Weisstein re. Schools for the Future Model Visited Champion & Russell

Multiple visits to Champion & Russell, Evaluation continues meeting with external partner (Bridgewater, collecting data, lit review)

March April May

• Received 221-F grant from DESE to continue Dropout • Prevention/Recovery work in BPS

Complete rough draft of evaluation

Progress Update:

COMPLETE

۞ Description: Present program recommendations to the School Committee for implementation in 2010-2011

Responsible: Superintendent Malone

Accomplishments

September October November • Visited all 3 sites - Champion, Russell, Lincoln • Purchased texts for Alt Programs • Met with Juvenile Resource Center team • Working with DESE and legal counsel to develop MOU on JRC

Meetings with BHS principal, alternative school principals & Dr. Terrasi to discuss enrollment processes and possible new offerings in FY2011

•MOU with Juvenile Justic Center • Held several phone conversations with other adult ed school program model leaders • Currently planning site visits with Big Picture Co (MET schools)


• Met with cross-functional teams to develop R3 plan • Worked with outside strategists to edit and expand plan

Presented R3 report to School Committee, providing analysis of current and future programs that offer alternate pathways for at-risk youth

Planning for March retreat with School Committee, in which we will tackle issues of alternative programming for high school and at-risk students

March April May

• Held School Committee Retreat • Presented R3 initiatives at SC Retreat with implementation timeline

• Finalizing new BPS vision/mission statement for SC approval • District-wide cross-functional team meeting held to articulate metrics for achieve R3

Progress Update:

ONGOING

G. PreK-12 Wraparound Student Support Services ۞ Description: Study current programs, both in-district & throughout the region

Responsible: Superintendent & Dr. Terrasi

Accomplishments

September October November • Meet with Brockton Blueprints Committee to introduce priorities and develop task force re. WrapAround Services • Invited by Commissioner to join DESE Behavioral Health Task Force on MH issues •Convening Task Force to review Brockton'

• Host "Weed & Seed" grant development meetings @ Keith during the evenings • Support Shannon IV grant application. Staff participate in BAMSI conference/training [strength-based approaches]

• Rept. to School Committee re: Pathways/ Dropout Prevention/ Recovery • Superintendent's Wraparound Support Services Consortium met for the first time and identified two goals for the year: community asset mapping and determining quality of service delivery


Plan for new re-engagement center @ Keith for dropout prevention

Extend Helping Traumatized Children Learn training to Brookfield and Angelo schools

Researched program models hosted by area districts

March April May

• Charlie Appelstein presentation for Tiers 1 - 3, sponsored by BMHC 2. "notMYkid" substance abuse awareness presentation @ PathWays Center

Held second meeting of Superintendent's Wraparound Support Services Consortium

Progress Update:

ONGOING

۞ Description: Work to create more Early Childhood programs to serve populations most in need of early education programs


Accomplishments

September October November Compilation of Early Childhood programs completed to create baseline for future recommendations.

• Began review of the possible relocation of Howard to Gilmore • Reviewed the possibility of reconfiguring the pre K and K programs with a roll back of the K start date (Both of the above were done with Barbara Lee and John Jerome)

Continue to review feasibllity of creating one early childhood center for the BPS


Continue to review feasibllity of creating one early childhood center for the BPS

NAEYC trainings for all Kinderfgarten teachers

• Presented Early Childhood recommendations to SC • Working to determine location, scope of PreK programs for school year 2010-2011

March April May

• Discussion about feasibility is ongoing • Held public comment about this issue at SC meeting

Planning for location, scope of school year 2010-2011 programs

Progress Update:

ONGOING

۞ Description: Develop a Pyramid of Interventions to support all populations: general education, SPED, ESL learners, dropouts, etc so that all students have support at all junctures

Responsible: Dr. Terrasi

Accomplishments

September October November • Develop/Offer 3-credit graduate level course conducted by Lesley University: The Impact of Trauma on Learning. • Launch Integrating Schools & Mental Health grant. Bi-weekly planning meetings. • Psychologists and SAC's inserviced in RtI and behavior

• Meet with DCF area director re. Brockton's Promise • Develop 3-tier training schedule for MH grant

Dr. Turley [11/18] district BMHC training on anxiety disorders in school-age children (Stonehill Martin Center).


Partner with Mass Advocates re. use of the 4-domain protocol for student IST process

Joel Ristuccia presentation" Helping Traumatized Children Learn" open to all BPS staff

March April May

• BMHC Districtwide Presentation by Charlie Appelstein [for faculty, staff, & community partners] • BPS partners with Mayor's Opioid Prevention Coalition on drug prevention forum

Working with Brockton’s Way

Progress Update:

ONGOING

H. Professional Development Alignment ۞ Description: Utilize data-driven, research-based Best Practices


Accomplishments

September October November Identified resources through the Memorandum of Understanding to provide P.D. for curriculum and site leaders onhow to use and identify data driven and researched based best practices

737 Grant submitted to DESE for Keys to Literacy and BSRI. This will be combined with RISE initiative to provide reading level data for content area teachers and training in strategies to improve understanding in the various Middle School subjects

Best practice professional development noted in October continues


Best practice professional development noted in October continues

Building review meetings scheduled Buidling review meetings scheduled. Data reviewed with site leaders and next steps mapped out.

March April May

Buidling review meetings completed. Data reviewed with site leaders and next steps mapped out

Spring CBM benchmarks to be administered

Spring CBM benchmarks to be administered

Progress Update:

ONGOING

۞ Description: Employ nationally-recognized leadership training programs like NISL, OATS & RBT


Accomplishments

September October November Developed Pd strand in the MOU to continue to strengthen leadership systems and structures for the purpose of supporting student learning

Selected and established schedule for the third NISL cohort

Hosted John Saphier of Research for Better Teaching Institute and working to develop a strategy for long-term prof. dvpmt. Investment in BPS


John Saphier of RBT presented an overview of professional development for building leaders at the December 9th K12 Principals' Meeting.

• NISL: Cohort III continues Research for Better Teaching Presentation at the Davis School for all site level teams • Meeting with Jon Saphier to discuss programs that RBT could provide to enhance Professional Development at the Brockton Public Schools

NISL: Cohort III Continues Committee was formed to evaluate the Professional Devlopment Activities presented by RFBT and it was determined that the district explore the development of a partnership with RFBT that would provide a consistent and on-

March April May

NISL: Cohort III continues Cross functional teams will asses the plan that was developed between the administrative team and RFBT and will then make recommendations for implementation.

• RBT developed contract for services • NISL coaches meeting with Superintendent

Progress Update:

COMPLETE

۞ Description: Utilize technology to support all levels of learning

Responsible: Road Map and Tech Teams

Accomplishments

September October November Assigning the two technology departments to the T&L via the Deputy Superintendent's office.

The roll out of Infinite Campus and its replacing of Starbaseas the district's student management system continues.

• Sent a team to Harvard Instructional


Authorized the installation of four classroom sets each consisting of Ceiling mounted LCD projectors, audio enhancements and document camera at six elementary schools.

Developed e-rate application for the 2011 cycle. Provided support in the establishment of the Tech Center at BHS

Met with vendors to develop comprehensive plan that would best meet the parameters established in the e-rate proposal to best support enhancing instruction through the use of technology.

March April May

Preliminary meeting with OTL and Tech to discuss possibly reconfiguring supports for teaching and learning at the site level.

Progress Update:

ONGOING

۞ Description: Apply Differentiated Instruction at all grade levels and in all core areas


Accomplishments

September October November Identify Standard #9 in the Focus on Results binder as one of the four focus standards for this year's Walkthrough initiative.

Professional Development activities specifically focussing on strategies for differentiating instruction are required to be included in the monthy schedule of each schools' professional development calaner of events.

PD was offered to elementary principals in Tier 1 instruction.


Continue to provide support and professional development in the techniques of differentiated instruction so that students' needs are being provided for.

Monitor Professional Development Calandars to insure that training in Differentiated Instruction continues to be a priority at all levels.

Tabulate the results of Standard #9 as measured by the Walkthrough Tool and report the result out at the March K-12 Principals' Meeting.

March April May

RTI is the foundation for differentiated instruction. All elementary schools are using RTI. Middle Schools-RRS, IRS-are being trained.

Progress Update:

ONGOING

۞ Description: Make use of RTI Model K-8 throughout the 2009-2010 school year


Accomplishments

September October November Keys to Literacy will be implemented at all six Middle Schools using BSRI and MOU funds.

Middle School site leaders are being professionally developed in RTI through webinars conducted by leaders in the field, e.g. Jim Wright.

Six cohorts of middle schools have and are receiving PD in Keys to Literacy.


Second phase of Keys to Literacy training was provided for the six Middle Schools and on K-8 that have been selected to participate in the training.

Keys to Literacy coaches are continuing training. RtI training ppts. are on the P drive.

Begin the process of RTI training at the Middle School Level. Mrs. Lynch and Kay Seal are the leaders in this initiative in grades K-8.

March April May

RTI is the foundation for differentiated instruction. All elementary schools are using RTI. Middle Schools-RRS, IRS-are being trained.

Progress Update:

ONGOING

۞ Description: Employ Checking for Understanding at all grade levels & areas (Standard #8 of Focus on Results)


Accomplishments

September October November Identify Standard 8 in the Focus on Results binder as one of the four focus standards for this year's Walkthrough initiative.

Professional Development activities specifically focussing on strategies for Checking for Understanding are required to be included in the monthy schedule of each schools' professional development calaner of events.

Schools are required to continue to emphasize and provide support in the techniques and methodology of how to check for understanding.


Exemplars are now being posted on the p drive that provide strong examples of how to Check for Understanding in the fur major content areas of study.

Monitor Professional Development Calandars to insure that training in Checking for Understanding continues to be a priority at all levels.

Tabulate the results of Standard #8 as measured by the Walkthrough Tool and report the result out at the March K-12 Principals' Meeting.

March April May

All schools are using formative assessments as one means of checking for understanding.

Progress Update:

COMPLETE

۞ Description: Review & revise all Student Handbooks

Responsible: James Hayden

Accomplishments

September October November Form Committee composed of representatives of all levels

Reviewed and published for School Committee approval Lincoln School handbook

Updated all handbooks with pandemic absence language


Produced Lincoln Handbook for distribution

Convened meetings for handbook reviews at all levels

Discussion of anti-bullying language for inclusion in handbooks

March April May

Committee meeting from each level examined handbook topic by topic

• Complete final revisions and send out for feedback • Hold Policy Subcommittee to review updated Electronics/Cellphone Policy at BHS

School Climate

Progress Update:

COMPLETE

۞ Description: Review & revise site-level and district discipline policies

Responsible: James Hayden

Accomplishments

September October November *Re-Implementation of Second Step. (VL)

Provided School Committee with presentation on violence prevention initiatives K-12 (Oct. 6)

Use Infinite Campus to produce reports on discipline infractions and suspensions.


Ongoing analysis of suspensions system-wide

Include discipline policy discussions and suspension data reviews in handbook meetings at all levels

Gathering of anti-bullying laws and policies for inclusion in handbooks.

March April May

Handbook meeting include reviews of behavioral interventions that work and areas in need of revision.

Final handbook language reviewed by stakeholders to ensure school discipline language reflects current needs of students.

Progress Update:

COMPLETE

۞ Description: Analyze student dropout data and develop prevention/retention plans

Responsible: Superintendent Malone & John Jerome

Accomplishments

September October November Setting up a meeting with the Brockton Drop Out Prevention Team for the middle of October

(See 1F) Participated in the Brockton's Way Dropout Prevention and Recovery Implementation Phase.


Attended the DESE's Dropout Prevention Workshop held at Holy Cross.

March April May

Refer to Teaching & Learning IF - Alternate Pathways


Progress Update:

ONGOING

۞ Description: Analyze all alternative options & develop a portfolio of options with specific recommendations

Responsible: Superintendent Malone & Executive Team

Accomplishments

September October November Wrap-around services inventory


March April May




Progress Update:

ONGOING

۞ Description: Engage site-level faculty & staff in the process of redefining roles and norms to include counseling services

Responsible: John Jerome, Kathleen Sirois & Site Level Leaders

Accomplishments

September October November Agenda item on the October 14th K-12 Principals' meeting

Continue to make progress in aligning the current job descritions with the actual requirements and responsibilities of the positions






March April May


Progress Update:

ONGOING

۞ Description: Redesign command authority of School Police unit

Responsible: Superintendent Malone & James Hayden

Accomplishments

September October November • Met with Chief Conlon & Capt. Sargo • Reviewed current configuration & 2008 • Gallagher & McGillivray Report study • Scheduled meeting with Mayor & BPD Chief

• Superintendent Malone & BPD Chief Conlon met to discuss possible options for increased command and control • Reassigned School Police to meet SC policy for supervision & evaluation • Worked with Executive Dir. Of Finance to review all School Police funding streams

Met with Brockton Police, State Police officers & other law enforcement and civilian leaders to gather infomration on command and control of School Police


• Assigned command of School Police unit to Capt. McCabe till end of school year. • Advertising & hiring 2 buiding monitors for BHS from 2-9 p.m.

• Met with City Council to answer questions about long-term strategy; began hiring provess for two BHS Security Liaisons • Presented safety & security recommendations as part of Entry Plan • Held day-long audit of current practices at BHS with well-known security expert Robert D. Macy

• Hired two BHS Security Liaisons to patrol grounds from 1-9 p.m. daily • Presented to School Committee options for School Police command & control structure

March April May

School Committee votes to have a Brockton Police lieutenant assume command & control of School Police beginning next year with City Council resolution.

City Council files resolve to discuss need for 13th BPD Lieutenant to oversee School Police; hearing slated for mid-month

Operations

Progress Update: COMPLETE

۞ Description: Enhance budget model to include forecasting, budget preparation & strategy to ensure transparency in an all-funds approach to fiscal management

Responsible: Superintendent Malone & Aldo Petronio

Accomplishments

September October November Designing a model to meet the request

• Budget Office creating spreadsheet on 3 possible FY11 options • Legal counsel preparing MOU for each of 3 options • Supt & Budget Office preparing level-service busines to be presented to SC in Nov

• Sending out budget requests to all departments • Presented initiatil foreast to School Committee outlining $14 million level service deficit


Formulated 3 scenarios based on information from the Department of Revenue, division of local services and the DESE.

• Presenting preliminary forecasts to Superintendent and Deputy. $14 million to possible $20 million dollar shortfall • Presented updated preliminary forecast to School Committee, met with Finance Committee to continue discussion on FY11 Forecast Shortfall

Initial Finance subcommittee. Informed the School Committee of the current budget forecast for FY11 and potential shortfall.

March April May

Developed Superintendent’s Recommended FY2011 Budget

Present Superintendent’s Recommended FY2011 Budget to School Committee for review

Progress Update:

ONGOING

۞ Description: Review capital & facility plans, bringing forward specific recommendations

Responsible: James Hayden & Aldo Petronio

Accomplishments

September October November Review & update current Capital Improvement listings

• SC subcommittee met to review capital plans. Now prioritizing Tier I & Tier II needs • Will meet in November to finalize and discuss next steps

• Prepared revised Capital Plan to include all facilities and system-wide technology needs • Review of Facilities and Technology projects completed in district from April to November


Presented Capital Plan to Facilities Subcommittee on December 7 & 14th for discussion and revisions

First Reading of Capital Plan to Jan. 5th School Committee Meeting

• Second Reading with emphasis on Tier I Projects for Feb. 9th School Committee Meeting • Capital Plan for renovation of schools was reviewed by Facilities Subcommittee and presented to School Committee on February 9th

March April May

• Report to School Committee on status of all school roofs, specifically NJHS auditorium closure • Communications with MSBA initiated by Supt. Malone to incorporate State support & guidelines for Capital Plan which will be discussed with City Council at their April meeting

Present Capital Plan to School Committee April 13th in preparation for City Council which will discuss roofs, SBA Statement of Interest document & long term plans for district facilities

Progress Update:

COMPLETE

۞ Description: Review district transportation, preparing FY2011 plan based on FY2010 findings

Responsible: Superintendent Malone & James Hayden

Accomplishments

September October November •Presented report to City Council; succeeded in securing allocation of additional FY10 transportation funds •Fine Tune Current System with eye to future efficiencies

Examining bus usage patterns. Redefining Special Education van routes where needed as student population expands.

Research transportation plans in other districts


Review spending patterns for three categories of transportation expenses.

Reexamination of Special Education Van & Bus Routes to improve efficiency.

Studied pre-school van routes that expand as 3 yr. olds are added to programs at 4 sites straining existing routes in separate parts of the city.

March April May

BHS routes examined in an effort to combine more runs, add double runs closer to BHS in an effort to eliminate more bused next year.

Work with SPED & principals to id more students who can move from van to bus transportation helping to eliminated equipment.

Mock routes will be prepared for Sept. 2010 with efficiency options listed for review

Progress Update:

ONGOING

۞ Description: Review Community Schools program operations & revenue

Responsible: John Jerome, James Hayden & Aldo Petronio with Kathleen Smith

Accomplishments

September October November Preparing a Financial report for discussions

• Superintendent met with Kathleen Smith & CS leadership, reviewed programs & operating budget • Moved CS from Operations to Teaching & Learning under John Jerome • Met with Finance Director to review all costs & revenues of CS program

• The Community School Director has provided a comprehensive and detailed fiscal report on all programs that the Community Schools's office manages • Began review of current operational revenue analysis.


• January meeting scheduled to review the existing and projected fiscal issues that could have a significant impact on the operation of all of the programs • Met to discuss and reviewe existing projected fiscal issues that have an impact on the long-term viability of programs

• February meeting scheduled to continue to review the existing and projected fiscal issues that could have a significant impact on the operation of all of the programs • Identified structural deficit between cost to operate programs and revenue, looking at current relationship between revolving account revenues to offset program costs

February 25 th meeting was held to review the existing fiscal assets and recommendations were made as to how best to encumber the funds to not only provide stability to the program, but also support sound fiscal practice

March April May

Prepare for the April 13th Finance sub-committee to report out on the fiscal status and stability of the Brockton Community Schools Program

Presented the Community School Fiscal Report on April 13th

Progress Update:

COMPLETE

۞ Description: Review technology support operations & enhance service delivery


Accomplishments

September October November Assigning the two technology departments to the T&L via the Deputy Superintendent's office

Met with the Department Head for Instructional Technology and the Department Head for School Data Services to discuss current and proposedto enhance technology

Approved Discover Day training for January at the Baker School. Training will be provided to up to 150 teachers and administrators in the available systems that are now in operation throughout the district


Established schedule of meeting between Instructional technology and OTL

Continue to include Instructional Technology in Office of Teaching and learning meetings

Review Intructional Technology budget and plan for 2011

March April May

Continue to identify other fiscal resources to support Instructional Technology. Title IIB Grant was just announced on March 30th and the district will response with an RFP

Begin to develop the plan and timeline for implementing the wireless band at Brockton High School, for summer installation

Progress Update:

ONGOING

۞ Description: Build open, honest relationships between the School Committee, Superintendent & Central Office staff


Accomplishments

September October November • SC adopted 2 communication/SOP protocols • Meeting individually with all SC members • Weekly updates and reports • Phone calls made to relay pertinent news and follow-up

• Continued individual meetings with SC members to discuss operations & ongoing issues • Daily & weekly communications as needed • Meeting with SC & Central Office staff with focus on building relationships

Met regularly with School Committee members, provided increased updates on ongoing programs


Continued to improve the flow of communication through regular updates via phone, email & weekly Info Bulletin

• School Committee & Superintendent reviewed communications protocols, updating and upgrading documents. • Superintendent met with principals to discuss communication with School Committee

Schoool Committee approved Enhanced Communications Protocols

March April May

• Continued to meet individually with members to address concerns and handle issues • Held School Committee Retreat to review protocols for Superintendent-School Committee Relations

School Committee Relations

Progress Update:

ONGOING

۞ Description: Improve communications across all levels and all constituencies

Responsible: Superintendent Malone & Jocelyn Meek

Accomplishments

September October November • Teaching and Learning Newsletter, vol. 1, sent to all sites and school committee 9/30/09. (VL)

• Met in large groups with parents of South & West sides of city, Cape Verdean community to gather feedback • Met in small groups with community stakeholders on impresssion & 120-Day Entry Plan

• Met with principals at all levels of the district, engaged teachers and staff at site visits


• Met with members of the Superintendent PAC, Special Education PAC, Brockton Interfaith Community and French, Spanish & Low-Incidence SEI parents

Met with cross-functional team of faculty and staff to create Entry Plan and R3 Strategy document. Presented Entry Plan and R3 Strategy to School Committee at its Jan. 19th meeting.

Met with Superintendent PAC, provided information on Entry Plan and R3, and discussed parents' goals for the coming school year and areas we can improve upon.

March April May

Cross-functional Missions & Values Task Force convened to create new mission statement for BPS; committee worked on draft, sought input from all district staff, edited and continued to flesh out statement of key values.

• Convened district-wide cross-functional teams to address goals outlined in R3; more than 120 people representing all buildings, levels, programs and job descriptions involved • Cross-functional teams working to articulate metrics of implementation for R3

Progress Update:

ONGOING

۞ Description: Engage the community


Accomplishments

September October November •Partnered with The Enterprise on Newspapers in Education • Spoke to Plymouth County Democratic Committee & MetroSouth Chamber of Commerce • Appeared on BCA TV & City View show • Planning for "Listening Tour" • Attended athletic, academic, artistic & community events

• Appeared on WXBR to promote school programs and provide information on H1N1 program • Participated in BPS activities & athletic events • Participated in a Brockton Police Dept. ride along • Attended athletic, academic, artistic & community events

• Continued media appearances - WXBR, Enterprise & Globe South interviews • Participated in Veteran's Day Parade, attended Thanksgiving Day football game and other extra-curricular activities to meet with parents & students • Attended athletic, academic, artistic & community events


• Continuation of meetings with parents, stakeholders and community leaders; expanded media role • Attended athletic, academic, artistic & community events

• Gave keynote address at Massasoit Community College's Martin Luther King Day celebration; shared importance of working together in the community to support young people • Provided commentary on school-related issues to WXBR and The Enterprise. Conducted media outreach on Entry Plan and R3 • Attended athletic, academic, artistic & community events

• Worked with School Committee to host hearing on drug abuse among young people; arranged trip to North Shore Recovery Center to study Recovery High School idea • Met with Cape Verdean Association, Brockton Symphony and other groups to discuss partnerships and collaboration • Attended athletic, academic, artistic & community events

March April May

• Continued to meet with Mayor, Police Chief to address issues of youth violence/crime • Had ongoing conversations with BIC regarding diversity among BPS faculty. Assisted US Census Bureau efforts to raise awareness of Census • Attended athletic, academic, artistic & community events

•Met with Brockton Interfaith Community to discuss hiring practices & minority outreach • Held Cultural Competency professional development course for 70+ staff • Met with Brockton Symphony to discuss partnerships • Attended athletic, academic, artistic & community events

Progress Update:

ONGOING

Superintendent’s Self-Evaluation...feelings regarding the quality of education, delivery of...

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Transcript of Superintendent’s Self-Evaluation...feelings regarding the quality of education, delivery of...