Educational Initiative Review

Educational initiatives are topic-oriented approaches to supporting and improving district processes framed as a specific group. Each group is led by a member of the district Administrative Team and includes staff members and parents. Generally agreed on goals and objectives followed by specific actions result in designated outcomes within a relative timeframe. Follow-up includes the periodic review of the outcomes.

Curriculum Council

The School Committee is required to approve the major adoption or revision of curriculum and textbooks upon the recommendation of the superintendent. In order to facilitate that effort, the district created a Curriculum Council which is chaired by the Director of Curriculum. The Council is tasked with evaluating and recommending curricula in a systematic way in order to provide students and staff with proven teaching and learning materials. Based on the Council's recommendation, the Melrose Public Schools adopted the Harcourt Mathematics curriculum for grades K-5 in 2007 and is adopting the Harcourt Literacy curriculum for Pre-K through Grade 3 in 2009.

Education Task Force

In 2005, the Melrose School Committee, Melrose educators and the Parent Advisory Council convened a community-based group to create a plan "for improving services for all children and creating an environment where all children participate fully in the life of the school." Their efforts resulted in the November 13, 2007 Education Task Force Report (see link to report and presentation below).

The Introduction states: "While much of the discussion regarding inclusion focuses on students with disabilities, to be successful a vision for enhanced inclusion must also be about meeting the diversified learning needs of all students. As a reflection of this broad vision of inclusion, the Task Force came to consensus on the following definition:

"Melrose values each and every one of its children and the Melrose Public Schools will provide the best education possible to every single child. All children will learn in an atmosphere that supports the individual strengths of each child, and where all children participate fully in the life of the school."

Members of the Task Force are committed to monitoring the progress of the report's implementation in conjunction with the School Committee and Administration. Notes from follow-up meetings will be posted as they become available. Should you have questions about the Task Force, its report or follow-up, please contact Bethany Cassin Gaita at bgaita@rc.com or 781-662-7797 who headed the Task Force during its conception and presentation, or Margaret Driscoll at mdriscoll@melrose.mec.edu or 781-665-7231, current Chair of the Educational Programs and Personnel SubCommittee.

Education Task Force Final Report - November 13, 2007 (Also available in the Archives)

Education Task Force Presentation - November 13, 2007 (Also available in the Archives)

Documents from previous years can be found in the School Committee Archives.