The March 7 curriculum committee meeting focused on the use of teacher coaches in the classroom. Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum Dr. Jack Silva explained that coaching utilizes professional “seasoned” teachers by paring them with other teachers as an alternative to professional development days – the coaching teachers who are already employed by the district as they provide peer based instruction that is integrated into the days activities.

Coaches Jennifer McCauley and Elizabeth Vincent expressed support for teachers and being able to offer alternative strategies for learning. They say the teachers appreciate the alternate teaching methods and professional dialogue.

BASD has instructional math coaches, literacy coaches, and behavioral coaching that is part of the social emotional learning section. Behavioral coaching offers alternative strategies for classroom management and emotional regulation.

Changing the subject and tone of the meeting, board President Michael Faccinetto expressed his disdain for the PSSA testing. Pennsylvania System of School Assessments are Federally mandated but Pennsylvania is one of very few states that has a legal provision for parents to opt their children out. PSSA scores have no influence on promotion, placement or grades of the students.

Faccinetto said, “its a waste of time and resources “he continued “I would encourage parents to opt out and spare their child one more useless standardized test.”