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- Medway Public Schools “Excellence for all through Learning”
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- NEASC is an independent assessment of the high school to evaluate if it
meets the qualitative standards for Accreditation by New England Association
of Schools and Colleges.
- The NEASC evaluation is intended to provide a blueprint for the faculty,
administration, and other officials to improve the quality of programs
and services for the students in Medway High School.
- The review is a 3-step process:
- Self-study conducted by the school staff
- On-site evaluation by the NEASC Commission
- Follow up program implemented by the school as a result of the
Commission’s findings.
- The visiting committee consisted of 15 evaluators.
- They met with school administrators, teachers, other school personnel,
students and parents. In addition, they visited classrooms and shadowed
students.
- The report includes commendations and recommendations designed to help
the school improve its teaching and learning.
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- The NEASC review focuses on two standards:
- Teaching and Learning
- Mission and Expectations for Student Learning
- Curriculum
- Instruction
- Assessment of Student Learning
- Support of Teaching and Learning
- Leadership and Organization
- School Resources for Learning
- Community Resources for Learning
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- The report offers many comments and recommendations highlighting the
attributes of the school and services provided.
- Additionally there are many comments and recommendations in areas we can
improve.
- The administration and school committee will review the findings and
draft a comprehensive plan to work toward meeting the proposed
recommendations.
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However,
- Virtually all recommendations and actions steps will require additional
resources.
- In fact the report specifically points out, in numerous sections, the
negative impact budget shortfalls and budget constraints have had on the
school’s and ultimately the town’s ability to react to critical needs
and issues.
- Following is a brief overview of the findings.
- A complete copy of the report will be placed at the Town Clerk’s office
and at the Library. Copies can
also be requested through the
- Superintendent’s office. (There
will be a fee to cover copying costs.) This overview will also be
available on-line at the school’s website: www.medwayschools.org.
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- “Medway high school teachers have a passion for their students and their
school…. they are available beyond their contractual obligations to
assist in student learning.”
- Teachers at Medway High School are dedicated and caring and are
available beyond their contractual obligation to assist students in
learning.
- Teachers assist in the daily operations of the school. They chaperone school dances and
activities. Students note the
friendly and helpful nature of the staff.
- A professional development program that expands teachers’ repertoire of
instructional strategies would help teachers acquire the necessary
skills to better meet the needs of all students.
- 96% of teachers are highly qualified in their teaching area. Medway teachers have a strong
knowledge base in content area but lack support and opportunity for professional development and to
become better informed about current instructional approaches.
- The school climate is supportive and positive. Students, teachers and administrators
display a high degree of mutual respect for all and have a genuine sense
of pride in the school environment.
- “A safe and nurturing environment is created for all students.”
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- Curriculum shall provide opportunities for all students to extend
learning beyond the normal course offerings and school campus.
- Instructional materials, technology equipment, supplies, staffing and
resources sufficient to allow for the implementation of the curriculum
will be provided.
- Currently, there is no one at the district level to oversee a review of
the curriculum and to articulate what is needed and why. A district
curriculum coordinator would be invaluable to the school in
accomplishing this.
- Although the NEASC review focused solely on the high school this
situation exists system-wide.
- The position was proposed in 2006 and 2007 fiscal years, but could not
be funded due to budget constraints.
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- It is important to note that in the past five years the entire Medway
School system has experienced a change at all levels of leadership.
- A new superintendent and new principals and assistant principals at the
high school, middle school and
Burke-Memorial Schools.
- Severe budget constraints have driven many of the decisions each of
these administrators have had to make, impacting staffing and
services. The report goes on to
note that these budget issues continue today.
- Although the NEASC report is focused on the high school, the budget
issues have impacted every aspect of education and administration for
the past 3 years and continue to negatively impact the schools’ efforts
to improve education quality and services in Medway.
- This is especially unfortunate, as the high energy and creativity
typical of a new administration has not been fully realized due to
limited resources.
- “Superintendent is highly visible
and well-respected…Teachers and administrators are available to students both during and beyond the
academic school day.”
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- Medway High School does not
provide a full range of comprehensive guidance services.
- Due to staffing restrictions, services are provided to juniors and
seniors in a reactive format around the college application
process. Freshman and sophomores
are not seen individually unless there is a reason for an
appointment. The resources are
not available to provide developmental support and direction throughout
the high school years.
- The school administration and school committee have recognized this
deficiency and have proposed increases in staffing levels. Again, budget cuts have precluded this
from happening.
- The NEASC report also recommends creation of a Director of Guidance,
(this position was in place many years ago, but currently is not
funded.)
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- The report notes this department is fully staffed and functioning well
to support its students in meeting the school’s mission.
- Two years ago the school was able to recruit an exceptionally talented
and qualified Director of Special Education.
- As a result, significant progress has been made in improving all aspects
of the school department’s Special Education programs and in the
appropriate and efficient use of resources.
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- Medway High School’s new building
and grounds support and enhance student opportunities for learning in an
exemplary manner.
- The class schedule structure further supports this in allowing some
students to participate in work release, internship and community
service programs.
- “The high school and
business/community partnerships further support student learning and
opportunities. “
- Area businesses support the schools in many ways, most notably:
- Cybex donating $40,000 of exercise equipment for the new facility.
- Medway Cooperative Bank’s
on-site facility allows students to learn new skills while providing
opportunities for all high school students to learn and practice money
management skills on-site.
- Medway Foundation for Education
and the various parent-run booster clubs provide additional services
and funds to students for program enhancement, training and enrichment.
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- The report specifically notes that the School Committee and Medway
community have not ensured an adequate and dependable source of revenue
to provide or maintain appropriate school programs, personnel, services,
facilities, equipment,
technological support, materials and supplies for student
learning.
- The school committee is particularly sensitive to this comment as for
the past few years, critical needs budget proposals have been
reduced. We have not been able to
maintain service levels, never mind restore and improve service levels.
- Class size often exceeds 24 students, some classes are too large to meet
the classroom capacity for which they were designed. (There are classes with over 30
students in them. Medway’s
curriculum is not designed for lecture hall classes.)
- “Individual per pupil expenditure for the High School is nearly $2000
lower than the state average…
- 21% below the state average.”
- “The budget for 2005-2006 decreased by $300,000 despite increasing
enrollment.”
- (Special Note: The town’s population has increased 19% in the past 10
years, however, the school population has increased 43% over that same
time period.)
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- So are we spending more on education, yes,
- But,
- not proportionate to the
increase in the number of students we have to educate. This has resulted in:
- The elimination of many electives.
Many students have 2 or more study periods a day; there simply
aren’t enough course selections.
- Users fees have doubled for athletics
- Students are required to pay for clubs and extracurricular activities
that support student growth and development. (Medway’s students have to pay for
the honor of qualifying as a National Honor Student.)
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- The NEASC reports provides some very focused and appropriate
recommendations for improvements at the high school to further improve
and grow the educational opportunities and enrichment programs provided.
- Over the past 2 years in particular, many of these initiatives and
recommendations were highlighted in the 2005 and 2006 Superintendent’s
goals and budget plans. However, none of the proposed initiatives could
be implemented due to budget constraints.
- Without the appropriate resources, the appropriate measures cannot be
put in place. The continued negative impact budget cuts have had on the
high school is repeatedly noted in the NEASC report. It serves to highlight the negative
impact on the entire school system and the nearly 3,000 children we
educate each and every day.
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- Curriculum
- Without a district curriculum coordinator there are inconsistencies and
omissions in the development and implementation of the curriculum.
- Curriculum shall provide opportunities for all students to extend
learning beyond the normal course offerings and school campus. “ Some
students are denied access to more advanced elective classes as a
result of budgetary constraints that have reduced the number of
electives.”
- Provide instructional materials, technology equipment, supplies,
staffing and resources sufficient to allow for the implementation of
the curriculum.
- Adequate funding for materials and resources is essential.
- Teaching
- Staffing levels have been reduced, the number of classes and courses,
particularly in the technical fields have been impacted and in some
cases eliminated. All computer,
some technology, health and all business courses, visual and performing
areas and all consumer science courses have been eliminated.
- Sufficient resources and support are not provided for professional
development and the implementation of curriculum.
- There are concerns that budget constraints will further impact the
school’s ability to maintain the
technology in order to use it and to incorporate training and
technology .
- Teachers have had to alter instruction strategies because students do
not have the technical skills to perform various projects and
experiments. A large part of
this deficiency can be attributed to the school’s lack of a technology
curriculum.
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- MHS fosters productive business/community partnerships that support
student learning:
- Medway Boosters
- Medway Foundation for Education
- Medway Home & School
Association
- Lions Club
- Medway Cooperative Bank and
other local businesses support school programs and services
- The exemplary new facility -the
building and grounds support and enhance
opportunities for learning in an exemplary manner. Students
are able to learn in a safe, healthy and accessible environment.
- The superior outsourced cleaning service performs an exceptional job of
maintaining the bldg.
- The School Website
- Medway Alumni Association
- The positive relationship between students, families and the
school. MHS engages parents and
families as partners in each student’s education and encourages their
participation and support.
- Ensure an adequate and dependable source of revenue to provide
appropriate school programs, person, services, facilities maintenance;
equipment, technological support; materials and supplies.
- Make clear to the involved, supportive community, the negative
effects of budget cuts on the daily effective learning processes in this
exemplary facility.
- Develop a process for faculty members to have an opportunity for active
involvement in the budget process.
- Develop a school-wide catalog (system-wide), of equipment with a
comprehensive schedule for procurement; maintenance and replacement.
- Investigate enrollment partnerships with local colleges and universities
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- A school’s initial/continued accreditation is based on the satisfactory
progress in implementing valid recommendations made by the NEASC
committee. Specific areas identified that could result in a change in
our standings are:
- significantly decreased funding
- inordinate user fees
- cuts in staffing: teacher;
guidance; administrative
- decreases in student services
- elimination of fine arts; practical arts and student activities
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- Special thanks to the teachers and administrators for their countless
hours and tireless effort during this year long process.
- Thanks to the students and community for their participation and
support. The new school, the
support of the community contributed immeasurably to the success of this
process and more important to the success of the school.
- Congratulations Medway….Great Job!
- As we look to the future the continued support of all will be the
cornerstone to success:
- ‘The Education of Our Children’
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Notes