Leadership Academy Meeting 10.08.09

Thanks for everyone’s participation and support yesterday.  Here’s a brief summary of topics discussed and tasks set.  Please let me know if there’s anything you’d like to add, remove or change.  Our next meeting is Thursday, October 22nd from 2:45-5PM.  Isaiah and I will take ‘refreshments duty’ for the next meeting!

Discussion Questions:

• What incentives exist for students to opt in to the Leadership Academy, if is voluntary?
• What funding sources exist?  Are they sustainable?

Tasks for Next Meeting:

• Curriculum: [Project Leaders: Sandra] 1) assess the current curriculum and prepare a report on potential thematic integration of existing subjects/courses, 2) using Bridgewater State College and the Center for Collaborative Education as resources, collect thematic curriculum samples and as well as research on portfolio and performance based assessment models, and 3) contact Leadership Academy in Virginia (Janet) and New Jersey (Nate) concerning curriculum.
• Admission Criteria: [Project Leaders: Nick and Isaiah] 1) contact 8th and 9th grade guidance counselors (directly or through Pupil Personnel?), 2) create student intake form, 3) run numbers on risk indicators from MCAS computer data as well as the Vax/IPass.
• Staffing: [Project Leaders - Donna and Nate] 1) collect and evaluate sample job descriptions from the Boston Pilot Schools, 2) match evaluation protocols in the proposal to job descriptions for incoming faculty, 3) draft an interview rubric, and 4) outline an open and transparent process for recruiting/interviewing incoming faculty.
• Building Constituent Groups (students): [Project Leader: Isaac] 1) draft a permission slip for a student focus group, 2) contact students and student-centered groups (3rd Eye, Boys and Girls Club, Insight, NAACP Youth Group, etc.) to invite them to participate in a focus group assessing needs and providing feedback on elements in the Leadership Academy proposal, 3) research facilitation guidelines for student focus groups and provide recommendations/resources for our initiative.
• Collaboration: [Janet] Creation of a Google Group for email, shared document editing, shared resources, and discussion threads.

Again, thanks.  Either we’re crazy or visionaries or a little of both.  In any case, I’m personally glad to be working with such dedicated professionals.  See you all next meeting (or in-between).

Nate