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Fox Appointed to DESE Advisory Council WALTHAM – GNB WIB Youth Council Director, Jean Fox, was recently appointed to serve on the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Interdisciplinary Health Education and Human Services Advisory Council; one of 17 Advisory Councils established by the Education Reform Act of 1993. During her three-year term, Fox will share information on health education, psycho-social, and human services in the Greater New Bedford school districts. Worcester, Brockton, Shrewsbury, Springfield, Reading, and Lawrence schools are also represented on the Council, as is Bridgewater State University, Cambridge College, Westfield State College, the Department of Transitional Assistance, the Department of Children and Families, the Department of Mental Health, the Department of Public Health, and health care providers. Denise Gaudett, Director of Comprehensive Approaches to Alcohol Prevention at the New Bedford Public Schools, is also a member of this Council. All Advisory Councils meet several times over the course of the year. Their charge is to advise the Commissioner and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education on matters pertinent to the implementation of Education Reform and to provide programmatic recommendations. Each Council prepares and submits an annual report to the Commissioner outlining current issues and providing information on the steps the Council has taken to support the goals and objectives of the Board and Department. The report also provides recommendations for future action or for new goals or objectives in the strategic plan. Based on information obtained during a retreat of the Board and senior DESE staff last summer, clear goals and priorities have been established for this year’s Councils. “For the first time, the charge to the Councils is clear and concise and is aligned with the state’s commitment to supporting the findings of the Task Force on 21st Century Skills and the Governor’s Readiness Project,” said Commissioner Mitchell Chester at the November 3 Council meeting. Educator Development, Curriculum and Instruction, Accountability Redesign, Supports for Students and Families, and State Leadership and Operations are the current focal points of the Councils, the Board, and DESE. Noting continued concern over skills gaps and the “expectation gap” – the gap between what employers and colleges expect of a high school graduate and what they experience – Commissioner Chester reminded Council members to “Use the talent and expertise you have within your Council to make suggestions for closing the achievement gap and the expectation gap.” 227 Union Street, Suite 206, New Bedford, MA 02740-5946 PH 508.979.1504 • FAX 508.979.5680 E-mail: Webmaster@gnbwib.org |