Current Issues
Advanced Learning Advisory Committee recommendations
Below is PDF of the 10 recommendations made by the MMSD Advanced Learning Advisory Committee to the district as part of the Office of Civil Rights resolution process. The aim of these recommendations is to reduce the racial disparities in access to and preparation for advanced coursework.
Below is PDF of the 10 recommendations made by the MMSD Advanced Learning Advisory Committee to the district as part of the Office of Civil Rights resolution process. The aim of these recommendations is to reduce the racial disparities in access to and preparation for advanced coursework.
aladvisoryrecommendations2019 .pdf | |
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These disparities exist not only in Madison but across the country. A project titled Miseducation by ProPublica includes an interactive map that shows racial disparities in 4 different metrics including advanced placement courses or gifted and talented programs from school districts across the country.
Office of Civil Rights Resolution
There is a special Board of Education meeting on Monday, October 1 at 5:00 pm on this topic. This resolution signed by MMSD in 2016 requires the district to address the disparities for African American and Latinx students in access to and preparation for advanced coursework and advanced learning. Links to the resolution, the letter that details findings from OCR and the work of Equal Opportunity schools can be found below.
There is a special Board of Education meeting on Monday, October 1 at 5:00 pm on this topic. This resolution signed by MMSD in 2016 requires the district to address the disparities for African American and Latinx students in access to and preparation for advanced coursework and advanced learning. Links to the resolution, the letter that details findings from OCR and the work of Equal Opportunity schools can be found below.
Equal Opportunity Schools
Equal Opportunity Schools, an education consulting group based in Seattle, WA, has been doing consulting work with MMSD high schools to address disproportionality issues in advanced coursework as is required by the OCR resolution.
From the EOS website:
"Equal Opportunity Schools' mission is to ensure students of all backgrounds have equal access to America's most academically intense high school programs- and particularly that low-income students and students of color have opportunities to success at the highest levels."
See the EOS 2018 Equity Pathways report. Although "Pathways" is included in the report title, this does not refer to the specific MMSD Pathways program.
Equal Opportunity Schools, an education consulting group based in Seattle, WA, has been doing consulting work with MMSD high schools to address disproportionality issues in advanced coursework as is required by the OCR resolution.
From the EOS website:
"Equal Opportunity Schools' mission is to ensure students of all backgrounds have equal access to America's most academically intense high school programs- and particularly that low-income students and students of color have opportunities to success at the highest levels."
See the EOS 2018 Equity Pathways report. Although "Pathways" is included in the report title, this does not refer to the specific MMSD Pathways program.
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Office of Civil Rights Resolution
District work continues in order to meet the deadlines and requirements of the OCR Resolution that the district signed in October 2016 to address the disparities in access to and preparation advanced coursework for black and Latino students. The OCR findings (see document below) of their review and investigation included background information on district programs, an in-depth analysis of Honors and AP programs at the middle and high schools levels, K-12 Advanced Learning programs, disparities seen in these programs, district efforts to address the disparities, a summary of the investigation and the full resolution with requirements and timelines.
Office of Civil Rights Resolution
District work continues in order to meet the deadlines and requirements of the OCR Resolution that the district signed in October 2016 to address the disparities in access to and preparation advanced coursework for black and Latino students. The OCR findings (see document below) of their review and investigation included background information on district programs, an in-depth analysis of Honors and AP programs at the middle and high schools levels, K-12 Advanced Learning programs, disparities seen in these programs, district efforts to address the disparities, a summary of the investigation and the full resolution with requirements and timelines.
ocrresolution_letter.pdf | |
File Size: | 1445 kb |
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The AL Plan and MPAL recommendations
The AL Plan was passed by the MMSD Board of Education on April 30, 2018.
Prior to passage, MPAL identified 5 issues with recommendations to address each issue. These were not acted upon by the board but administration stated their agreement of the importance of these issues and that to implement them is simply part of their standard way of working and accountability. MPAL will continue to follow up on both the new AL Plan and to determine if the additional issues and recommendations are addressed.
Draft Advanced Learning (AL) Plan
A new draft of the AL Plan will be vetted by the Board of Education in April 2018. This plan if approved, will guide district work in AL for the next two years. The draft is available through the Board of Education website. Information includes:
AL Plan draft
AL Plan appendices
AL Plan three year implementation overview
Memo to the Board about the AL Plan
Office of Civil Rights Resolution
In October 2016, MMSD signed a Resolution Agreement with the Office of Civil Rights in Chicago to ensure equal opportunities for all students to access advanced coursework and programming options. This resolution focuses on improving access to advanced coursework and preparation in foundational courses specifically for African American and Latino students. Reporting requirements and deadlines for 2017-2019 are included throughout the document.
The OCR Resolution Agreement work includes:
(1) hiring an equity consultant (Equal Opportunity Schools)
(2) conducting a review and assessment of advanced coursework and programming options
(3) completing a report and recommendations based on the above review and assessment
(4) modifying referral, eligibility and selection criteria to address disparities in advanced coursework and programming options
(5) conducting an annual analysis of data to determine progress on access and disparities
(6) providing outreach to families about participation in advanced coursework and programming options
(7) providing outreach and counseling to students about all available advance coursework and programming options in both middle school and high school
(8) providing effective annual training/professional development to staff on outreach and enrollment
practices for advanced coursework and programming options
(9) engaging a wide range of stakeholders through the AL Advisory Committee to evaluate whether the district's AL policies and practices are effective in reducing disparities. This Committee is tasked with making specific recommendations for the district to implement to increase the enrollment of African American and Latino students in advanced coursework and programming options.
(10) conducting internal monitoring of progress in consultation with the AL Advisory Committee, parents,
students and staff at all middle and high schools.
Draft Advanced Learning Plan
The Advanced Learning (AL) Plan is currently being revised to better reflect the work and processes that the Advanced Learning department will guide over the next three years (2017-2020). This revision will provide an updated strategy for MMSD and every school in the district to better meet the needs of students who could benefit from advanced level academic challenge and instruction.
On Monday, September 11 at 5:00 pm, the draft AL Plan will be discussed by the Board of Education at the MMSD Doyle administration building (545 West Dayton, Madison) Room 103. The Draft AL Plan will be available on both the BOE agenda in Board Docs and the Advanced Learning website on Friday, September 8.
Board of Education update and RMC evaluation
On Monday, June 5, 2017, at 5:30 pm, an update on Advanced Learning will be presented to the Board of Education. This will include the results of the RMC Advanced Learning evaluation as well as a process plan for revising the current district Advanced Learning Plan. Dr. Ethan Netterstrom, the new MMSD Advanced Learning Director, will be doing the presentation along with Lisa Kvistad, the Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning. Information for this meeting will be available on the MMSD BoardDocs website on Friday, June 2, 2017. The full results of the Advanced Learning evaluation done by RMC research can be found on the MMSD Advanced Learning website.
2.5 new Advanced Learning positions approved by the Board of Education
These new positions (approved on May 22, 2017) will bring the Advanced Learning department to a baseline staffing model of a halftime Advanced Learning-Instructional Resource Teacher (AL-IRT) for every elementary and middle school. This provides every school with a part-time specialist who can assist in student identification and instruction, differentiation of curricula, and teacher coaching. With a consistent presence in a school (even only halftime), these staff can assist schools with recognizing academic talent and potential and with improving advanced academic instruction for students who could benefit.
MMSD Board of Education 2017 Elections
Two new Board of Education members were elected on April 4, 2017. Kate Toews (pronounced Taves) is now the Seat 6 representative and Nicki Vander Meulen is now the Seat 7 representative. Contact information for all board members can be found on the MMSD BOE website. We look forward to working with them to strengthen the ability of our Madison schools to meet the needs of the entire academic range of students including Advanced Learners.
MMSD Board of Education 2017 Elections
The candidate field has been narrowed to Ali Muldrow and Kate Toews for Seat 6. Nicki Vander Meulen is the only remaining candidate for Seat 7 with Ed Hughes having to drop out of the race due to the illness of his wife Ann. A candidate forum will be held by the CAP Times at West High on Thursday, March 16, 2017 at 6:30 pm. The Spring election is Tuesday, April 4, 2017.
MMSD Board of Education 2017 Elections
There are two seats on the MMSD Board of Education up for election this spring. With three candidates for each seat, a primary election will be held February 21. Seat 6 candidates include Cris Carusi, Ali Muldrow and Kate Toews. Seat 7 candidates include Matt Andrzejewski, Ed Hughes (incumbent) and Nicki Vander Meulen.
MPAL asked the candidates two questions about Advanced Learning.
Click on their names below to read their responses.
Seat 6
Cris Carusi
Ali Muldrow
Kate Toews
Seat 7
Matt Andrzejewski
Ed Hughes
Nicki Vander Meulen
MMSD Advanced Learning Department Evaluation: Update February 2017
The results of RMC's evaluation of Advanced Learning in MMSD are now available on the district website. An overview of results, the evaluation Executive Summary and the evaluation Supplemental Survey Executive Summary were discussed at the Board of Education Instructional Workgroup meeting on February 6th. The full evaluation documents will be available on February 24th.
The Cap Times published an online article about the Advanced Learning discussion on Feb. 8th titled: Madison's Advanced Learner Program still a work in progress.
MMSD Advanced Learning Department Evaluation: Update December 2016
The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) continues to work with RMC Research, an external organization, to conduct a review of the MMSD Advanced Learning Department. The review will help determine the extent to which the district is meeting the needs of Advanced Learning students.
The district approved the addition of another survey to ensure that RMC Research was able to reach as many families as possible to learn about how advanced learning identification and instruction is being implemented in the schools. This survey is currently available for MMSD families to access through the district's Advanced Learning department website.
October 16-22, 2016 is Gifted Education Week in Wisconsin by proclamation of State Superintendent Tony Evers and Governor Scott Walker.
From the WI Department of Public Education website:
Gifted education seeks to develop the talent of students with the potential to achieve at high levels. Educators throughout the state strive to create programs and services that emphasize identifying and serving students from culturally, linguistically and ethnically diverse populations as well as those who may be economically disadvantaged.
Note: This is a great time to raise awareness and share information about the academic needs of Advanced Learners in MMSD. While MMSD uses the term Advanced Learner to identify and ultimately provide advanced level instruction to a larger population of students (including students traditionally identified as Gifted), there are still many misperceptions about who these students are and how to help them continue to learn and grow.
The National Association of Gifted Children (NAGC) has a excellent resource article that highlights some Myths about Gifted Students and their needs. These myths drive misperceptions that ultimately prevent school districts from acting to provide appropriate instruction to millions of students with the potential for high level academic achievement. Discuss and challenge these myths and the misperceptions they create in your own school community to start making a difference.
MMSD Advanced Learning Department Evaluation in Sept. and Oct. 2016
The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) has asked RMC Research, an external organization, to conduct a review of the MMSD Advanced Learning Department. The review will help determine the extent to which the district is meeting the needs of Advanced Learning students. RMC Research would like to know your opinions as well as your levels of satisfaction with the Advanced Learning identification process, instructional support, and any impacts participation has had on your child. Additionally they are interested in your opinion on what is working and what can be improved.
Visit the MMSD Advanced Learning website to find out more information about this evaluation and focus group sessions for families that are being conducted the weeks of Sept. 26 and Oct. 3.
https://advanced.madison.k12.wi.us/
Note: This evaluation will inform revisions to the district's Advanced Learning Plan and the hiring of a new Advanced Learning Director in 2017.
Equity and the Excellence Gap
See Resource Articles for additional information on Equity and the Excellence Gap
The following was published as an Op Ed piece in the Wisconsin State Journal, November 2015
Even if every student now below grade level suddenly met grade-level standards, there would still be an unacceptable disparity in achievement.
The “Excellence Gap” is the lack of students from diverse economic and racial backgrounds performing at high academic levels. In a system keenly focused on proficiency, high-level academic achievement has often relied on academic opportunities outside of the school day. This creates an opportunity gap for students without access to or knowledge of more challenging learning options.
A critically important solution is providing more challenging instruction at every grade level during the regular school day for students who have the potential to meet that challenge."Advanced learning" is the new Madison School District term for students who are achieving or have the potential to achieve beyond grade level standards. Misperceptions still abound about which students can benefit from advanced learning. This has slowed efforts to change the identification of and instruction for advanced learners.
The knowledge exists to change both the lack of systematic advanced instruction overall and the disparities within this range of learning. Untangling the quagmire of expectation, perception, opportunity, access and potential will require a concentrated effort by all stakeholders.
-- Christina Gomez Schmidt, Madison Partnership for Advanced Learning
MMSD Budget and Advanced Learning Instructional Resource Teachers
Sept. 2016 update
One Advanced Learning-Instructional Resource Teacher (AL-IRT) position was cut from the AL staff for the 2016-17 school year. This affected the instructional capacity in Advanced Learning at an additional 7 of 32 elementary schools. The instructional impact of this reduction on student learning is currently unclear.
What can you do?
Find out the level of support your school receives for Advanced Learning instruction by talking with the AL-IRT at your school. The list of AL-IRTs and their school assignments can be found on the MMSD AL website. Also, see the Questions to ask your K-8 school to find out more about Advanced Learning instruction at your school.
April 2016
The preliminary budget to the Board of Education now recommends reducing the Advanced Learning staff by 1 position by not rehiring for a position expected to be open next year due to retirement. The other 2 positions would be maintained for next year at their current level. The department model for operating under this new proposal and how it will affect school level allocations has not yet been provided.
What can you do?
Use the budget feedback form on the district website to support this new proposal as a better choice to maintain the integrity of the Advanced Learning department and the progress it is starting to make in some schools. https://budget.madison.k12.wi.us/budget-feedback-form
You can also contact the School Board Member assigned to your elementary or middle school. You can find that information on the Madison Board of Education website. If you want to contact all 7 board members together, you can send an e-mail to [email protected]. An e-mail sent to this address will also reach Superintendent Jen Cheatham.
March 2016
This is a challenging budget year. The school district is proposing to cut 3 of 22 Advanced Learning Instructional Resource Teachers (AL-IRTs) who currently work at the 44 elementary and middle schools in their 0.5 FTE positions. This is 13% of the school-level staff of this department.
Most AL-IRTs are currently assigned to 2 schools. This allows them to be at a school on a consistent basis, usually 4-5 days a week, either in the morning or afternoon. This is important because they are the one staff member who is specially trained in advanced learning and their focus is to help schools meet the learning needs of students ready for academic challenge beyond grade level standards. They also identify students who may not currently be achieving highly on standardized tests but have the potential to benefit from increased academic challenge. These teachers can then provide direct support to these students in a way that classrooms teachers would not be able to do on their own.
An important part of this staffing model is that these AL-IRTs become part of each school's staff team by getting to know students, parents, other teachers and staff, the principal, and the unique learning community of each school.
If 3 AL-IRT positions are eliminated, the effect will be felt not only at a few schools but at every K-8 school in the district. If the remaining AL-IRTs add even one school to their workload, they will only be present at each school a maximum of 1.5 days per week. Their ability to provide effective instruction to students or coaching to teacher teams will be greatly diminished.
In order to truly meet the needs of "all" students in every school, the consistent guidance provided by the AL-IRTs on how to effectively instruct students who need more challenge is essential. A 0.5 position in each school is a minimal investment to promote continued learning once students are ready to move beyond grade level standards anytime from kindergarten through 8th grade.
* Note: the degree of success of an AL-IRT in each school still varies greatly. Even if you haven't seen this instructional model working well yet in your school, the importance of this 0.5 position for providing access to advanced instruction and recognizing more students who can benefit from advanced learning cannot be overstated.