School Administrators Lay Out Goals for 2010-11

Darien Public Schools administrators want to foster an atmosphere over the coming school year in which educators challenge students academically, collaborate with each other, and strengthen management operations, according to a presentation at Tuesday night's Board of Education meeting.

Superintendent of Schools Stephen Falcone detailed the district's projected goals and objectives for 2010-2011, laying out ideas in five broad categories: student achievement, human resources in the school community, special district initiatives, district management, and the physical environment.

Falcone—addressing the board for the first time since taking on the district's top spot—discussed establishing professional learning communities in which students receive highly individualized instruction.

"The key concept is moving toward individual learner-centered instruction," he said. "Our professional learning communities have done good work at a broad level."

With some 4,700 students under his supervision, Falcone said he wants teachers to share their best practices with each other.

"We are philosophically against the idea that a teacher enters a classroom, shuts the door, and teaches in isolation," he said.

Judith Pandolfo, Assistant Superintendent of Schools for Elementary Education, also touted this idea.

"We want to ensure that our new teachers can be as successful as possible," Pandolfo said. 

Among their goals: having Darien High School educators continue to work on a self-study in preparation for a review by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

Based in Bedford, Mass., NEASC is an accrediting agency that sends teams of educators to public and private schools. The visiting team meets with students and teachers, assesses the quality of instruction, and notes conditions of buildings.

Additionally, Falcone discussed ways to support students with special needs and documenting such approaches in a handbook.

Falcone also discussed a concept called "habits of the mind," a technique through which teachers present their lesson plans to students. Such a practice entails being persistent and flexible, managing one's impulsivity, being empathetic, and framing a question effectively, he said.

Administrators further proposed improving district management through cost-effective accounting, sound personnel practices, efficient support services, and maintaining the physical environment of Darien school buildings.

Members of the board commented on the administrators' ideas Tuesday but did not vote on them.

Board member Heather Shea proposed that Darien schoolteachers pay attention to districts around Connecticut and in other states and note their practices. She couched this idea as a broader alternative to paying attention only to districts similar to Darien.

Chairperson Kim Westcott noted some goals are broad and could afford to be made more specific. Secretary Clara Sartori suggested putting benchmarks along the way in order to gauge progress.

Board member Morgan Whittier voiced support for looking into a security system and the possibility of a police dog.

The board later detailed its own objectives, which include effective communication with administrators, listening to residents, working with other municipal groups, being responsible and open in crafting a budget, and paying attention to trends in education on a state and national level.

The next board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 31.