MEMORANDUM

ADMINISTRATIVE APPOINTMENTS

The following administrative appointments have been made for the 2004-05 school year:

DR. SANDY JOHNSON, CHIEF INSTRUCTIONAL OFFICER

Changes in Requirements for Testing ELL Students

Secretary of Education Rodney Paige issued guidance recently permitting increased flexibility in
the assessment of English Language Learners (ELL). The new No Child Left Behind provisions give
school districts increased flexibility for testing limited English proficient students while ensuring
accountability.

Below is a bulleted summary of the new testing allowances:

ELL Enrollment Report

The current ELL Enrollment Report is attached.

K-4 Standards-Based Report Cards Update

More than 50 teachers, principals, parents, and district office staff have almost completed the
development of new K-4 standards-based report cards. A "5th draft" has just been printed to
be reviewed by the five report-card committees, parent advisory group, members of the Cabinet,
and members of the Board of Education. We are asking for feedback to the report card steering
committee from all groups for the final edit. The steering committee will be meeting in late April
to prepare the final draft for the report cards.

The report card steering committee is also developing a resource for teachers, Guidelines
for Using K-4 Standards-Based Report Cards. This booklet will have additional information
to assist teachers as MNPS transitions from a traditional reporting system to a standards-based
reporting system.

It is our hope to give K-4 teachers a "sample copy" of the report cards by the end of the school year.

Please forward any feedback on the report cards to Dr. Nancy Meador, chairperson of the
Standards-Based Report Card Committee.

Advanced Placement (AP) Enrollment Comparison Chart

A tally of the number of students enrolled in AP/IB courses was done. From a preliminary
analysis of this report, it appears some schools have increased the number of students
enrolled in AP courses, however; overall the district enrollment numbers have remained static.

The LSS department is committed to raising the number of students in AP courses and increasing
the pass rate. This week MNPS has agreed to host the Fall AP Training Conference for the College
Board. This conference is geared for all AP teachers in the southern region of the United States
to come and learn about changes in the course outlines and testing requirements. There is also
an increased effort in the schools to strengthen our vertical team articulation, to provide more
AP training for our teachers, and to use the PSAT test as a tool to identify more
potential students.

DR. ALDOROTHY L. WRIGHT, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT FOR STUDENT SERVICES

Risk Management Survey Summary

Risk Management Survey has been completed for all school sites. This was one of the goals
of the strategic plan. A summary of this survey is attached.

Community Education - Lynn Morelock

The Community Education Spring cycle of classes started February 16, 2004.

Classes/Activities are being offered for school-age students in the following categories:

           • Academic Tutoring
           • Foreign Languages
           • Fitness/Sports
           • Dance/Drama/Music
           • Arts/Crafts/Chess

A broad curriculum of business skills/career development, enrichment, recreational, and
literacy non-credit classes is being provided for adults.

The Adult High School is also in its spring cycle of classes for adults who are working
toward achieving a High School diploma.

Nashville State Technical Community College, Tennessee State University, and Volunteer
State Community College through the Cohn, Glencliff, Hunters Lane, and McGavock Community
Education programs provide college credit classes this year.

Dell TechKnow Program (Community Education/Information Technology):

The Dell Tech-Know Program is currently serving eighty middle school students at Bailey,
J. F. Kennedy, West End and Wright Middle Schools. Sixty students were enrolled during
the fall cycle.

This program provides students who are at risk academically the opportunity to learn
about computer hardware, software, and how to assemble a computer.

Each participant must complete the following requirements:

1. Have good grades, which means a "C" average or above or show definite grade improvement.
2. Be a good citizen, which means not causing trouble for teachers or other students.
3. Attend 40 hours of Dell TechKnow training.
4. Maintain regular school attendance.
5. All absences from school must be excused.
6. Make 100% on the Dell TechKnow quiz.

Each student will receive their own personal computer to keep at home if all requirements
are successfully completed.

The Dell TechKnow Program is provided through collaboration between the Dell Corporation,
Microsoft Corporation, and Metro Schools Community Education and Information Technology Departments.

Community Education Program Expansion

The Community Education site coordinators at Hillsboro, Hunters Lane and McGavock High have
worked with the administration at Tennessee State University to offer graduate and
undergraduate programs at these locations. This program will enhance the opportunity for
the non-traditional student to not only work toward a degree but also to provide scholarships
for adult students. (Flyer attached)

DR. LAVONEIA STEELE, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND STRATEGIC PLANNING

Activities and accomplishments of the Department of Communications and Strategic Planning
since the last Board report include:

• Began sending the Board agenda and event schedule to Metro Council members by email;
the Department is already receiving positive responses to that action.
• Participated in planning of the Governor's truancy round-table at McGavock High on April 8.
• Initiated a new cooperation with Telefutura channel 42, the new local Spanish-language television
station, which will provide a way to communicate directly with Spanish-speaking parents.
Telefutura will provide two regularly scheduled one-minute spots each weekday morning for
school news and information. Craig Owensby will write these segments, and they will be
translated and read by a channel 42 announcer
• Expanded Spanish media contacts
• Began providing regular updates on Board and district events to the citywide event calendar on nashville.gov
• Continued preparation of school-related videos for showing on channel 3 during Board meeting
intermissions, including an overview of the student art show at the Frist Center and a performance
by Maplewood High's "Men of Distinction."
• Continued work on the April issues of Highpoints and Report Home
• Met with the Coordination Team, Tying Nashville Together, Anchor Group, Alignment
Team/Alliance, PENCIL board and Zoo Executive Committee
• Provided information to Metro Council staff on school security measures
• Participated in the student art opening at the Frist Center on March 26; provided
media contact and mnps.org webpage content
• Supported the Board/Council lunches at McGavock and Antioch high schools
• Prepared comments for an address to an AARP meeting at Woodson Chapel Church of Christ on April 2
• Issued news releases on NCAA eligibility seminars, Mayor's art show, negotiations
schedule, Margaret Allen zone changes and TCAP preparation
• Opened a new line of communication to the local Korean community by
establishing a relationship with the Greater Nashville Korean Association

• Provided information to news media on the following topics:

Wrestler The Rock's enrollment at Glencliff High - Tennessean
Bus routes - channel 5
Ratemyteacher.com website - Tennessean
NCLB implementation - City Paper
Cell phone use by bus drivers - channel 2
Vandalism at Kirkpatrick Elementary - channel 17
Employees on military leave - channel 2
TCAP schedule and preparations - channel 4, Tennessean
Budget - channel 4, channel 5, Tennessean
Survey status - City Paper
Status of music programs - Nashville Post
Proposed PE cuts - channel 4
Carjacking outside Hillsboro High - channels 2,4,5
Pledge of Allegiance policy - channel 2
Domestic partner benefits - Tennessean
Margaret Allen changes - channels 4, 5

Dates to Remember:

Friday, March 26, 2004 - 5-7 pm - Opening reception for student art exhibit at the Frist Center
Monday, March 29, 2004 - 6:30 p.m. - Community Meeting at Margaret Allen Montessori; 500 Spence Lane
Tuesday, March 30, 2004 - 6:30 p.m. - Community Meeting at Una Elementary; 2018 Murfreesboro Road
Thursday, April 8, 2004 - 2.p.m. - Governor's Truancy Round-Table at McGavock High School;
3150 McGavock Pike
Wednesday, April 14, 2004 - Chamber Visit - Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. at Antioch High
School (host school). Touring schools are Kennedy Middle School, Lakeview Elementary School
and Antioch High School.
Tuesday, April 20, 2004 - Realtor Open House at Percy Priest and J. T. Moore

PEG/jw

Attachments

• ELL Enrollment Report 

• AP Enrollment

• Risk Management Survey

• Community Education Program Expansion

• Standards-Based Report Cards Update (K)

• Standards-Based Report Cards Update (1)

• Standards-Based Report Cards Update (2)

• Standards-Based Report Cards Update (3)

• Standards-Based Report Cards Update (4)