Grade One Program Assignment Update

I am respectfully aware through email and phone conversations with parents that information on the topic of grade one assignment is being communicated throughout the school community.  It is apparent that some clarification is needed on certain aspects in order to ensure that everyone understands the essential facts regarding the “Lottery/Cap” proposal for grade one French Immersion in the Milton Public Schools.  In this communication I have consolidated all the relevant information into one document so that everyone can have the most updated and accurate details.

The Milton School Committee, in response to public requests, will hold an additional meeting on Tuesday, October 16, 2012 at 7:30pm in the Milton High School Library to allow public comment on this important subject.

At the School Committee meeting on Wednesday, October 3, 2012 I gave a culminating presentation to the School Committee and the public regarding my recommendation to implement a “Lottery/Cap” for French Immersion for grade one assignment in the Milton Public Schools.  Please see Timeline & Communications and FAQs below.  If approved, this assignment plan would be implemented starting with the assignment of grade one students for the 2013-2014 school year.  CLICK HERE to view the October 3, 2012 presentation.

Timeline & Communications

  • Spring of 2010 – The Milton School Committee requested that the Superintendent of Schools form a World Language Committee to analyze the district’s two Elementary Language programs, the enrollment data for these programs, and the sustainability of these programs.  As a result of that report, the district has implemented a “Tiered Lottery” (no cap) for French Immersion assignment in grade one.  Each year since this implementation I have continued to track enrollment figures and patterns along with relative student achievement data.  CLICK HERE to view the World Language Committee Report.
  •  March/April of 2012 – I determined that the enrollment figures for grade one were no longer sustainable given recent trends.  Meetings were held with the School Leadership team to analyze the information.
  • May 23, 2012 – The impact of the growing French Immersion to English enrollment ratio was analyzed and a recommendation to implement a “Lottery/Capping” plan was made at the May 23, 2012 School Committee meeting.  CLICK HERE to view the May 23, 2012 presentation at school committee.
  • July 25, 2012 – At the request of the School Committee more detail was given at the July 25, 2012 School Committee meeting regarding these enrollment trends, student achievement data, and the impact on the English program.  CLICK HERE to view the July 25, 2012 presentation. 
  • August 2012 – Following the July 25, 2012 meeting, a Grade One Assignment FAQ was posted to the www.miltonps.org website in order to field questions and post answers to better communicate the issues at hand.  CLICK HERE to view the Grade One Assignment FAQ. 
  • Ongoing – Write ups and recaps of the school committee meetings and the detail behind the “Lottery/Capping” plan were communicated via the Superintendent’s e-blast and emailed/mailed out to all families.  CLICK HERE to view the Superintendent’s eblast and archive.
  • October 3, 2012 – I presented the plan to implement the “Lottery/Capping” of the French Immersion program at the October 3, 2012 school committee meeting.  CLICK HERE to view the October 3, 2012 presentation.
  • January 9, 2013 – School Committee approves the Grade One Assignment Policy (JGA)

Frequently Asked Questions & Answers

To view the most recent set of FAQ’s CLICK HERE.

I truly appreciate everyone’s feedback and interest in the Milton Public Schools.  I hope this information clarifies some of your questions about the process and my recommendation to sustain our quality elementary programs.

Mary C. Gormley, Superintendent

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