Superintendent: Strategic Plan 'Not All About Testing'

A draft of a strategic plan presented by Superintendent Penny MacCormack at Monday night’s Montclair Board of Education meeting is the result of more than 100 meetings held in schools, church basements and around kitchen tables.

The two-year operating plan identifies the seven goals for the district named most often during those meetings, MacCormack said.

Among them are improving Montclair High School, which she said is considered “a diamond in the rough that should be the jewel of the community.”

The other six goals are:

• High Expectations and Achievement for All
• Consistent and Rigorous Instruction Across All Classrooms
• Highly Effective Central Services Support to Schools
• Effective Internal and External Communications and Parent Engagement
• Effective and Accountable Leadership at the School and District Levels
• Equitable Resources/School Offerings

Under each goal of the draft plan, which is posted on the district website, are draft objectives and strategies.

MacCormack stressed Monday the objectives should be specific and attainable.

“If our teachers do not feel that they are attainable, they are not attainable,” she said.

The superintendent addressed several criticisms and what she said were misconceptions about the plan, including a perceived overemphasis on assessments and tests.

“Is it all about measurement? Is it all about testing? I am here to say tonight that it’s not all about measurement, it’s not all about testing,” she said.

She also said she does not believe in “test-prep” and considers teaching to the test a waste of time for both students and teachers.

“I like teaching to prepare students for rigorous standards,” she said.

The plan addresses the new Common Core Curriculum Standards all public schools in New Jersey now have to follow — standards MacCormack said are more rigorous and require greater skills in problem solving and strategic thinking.

David Cummings was one of several board members to ask questions after the supertintendent’s presentation.

Cummings asked if there is the “flexibility to adapt” aspects of the plan that might not be working.

“How do you feel you will be able to adapt?” he asked.

MacCormack answered by saying the strategic plan is a “living document” which can be revisited and updated.

Members of the public also shared concerns about the required quarterly assessments, how things like creativity and imagination could be measured and whether enrichment and mentoring opportunities outside the school would be part of the plan.

MacCormack said the public still has a couple of weeks to weigh in on the plan, which can be done through the website.

“This draft plan in front of you isn’t perfect. It is good,” she said.

After the two years pass, the next step would be to evaluate the plan and create a five-year strategic operating plan for the district.