MIDDLESBORO — Members of the Middlesboro Board of Education (MBOE) experienced a change of scenery on Monday night, as their monthly meeting was held at the Middlesboro Middle School (MMS) Library.

Superintendent Rita Cook opened the meeting by recognizing the importance of American Education Week (Nov. 16 -20). She requested that the board members establish and approve a resolution in acknowledgment of the educational observance.

“Public schools are the backbone of our democracy, providing young people with the tools they need to maintain our nation’s precious values in freedom, civility, and equality,” stated Cook. “And whereas, by equipping young Americans with both practical skills and broader intellectual abilities, schools give them the hope for and access to a productive future.”

The board promptly approved the decision.

The Middlesboro Independent School District (MISD) is currently in the process of completing the first cycle of Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Testing. MAP is a computer-based test that measures individual student achievement in the academic areas of reading, language, and mathematics.

MAP representative Becky Powell was on hand Monday night to further discuss the recently implemented assessment system with board members.

“It is an adaptive test,” Powell explained. She said that the test accurately reflects each student’s knowledge and understanding, and it measures intellectual growth over an extended period of time.

“The big thing about it that I really like is that it is going to show us growth over time, and we have not had that previously within our state testing system,” Powell stated. “So if we stick with this testing program, we will not only see growth throughout the year, but we will see it from year to year for individual students.”

According to Powell, there are 30 states and 54 other school districts in the state of Kentucky that use the MAP testing system. She contended that the rate of academic success is high and constantly advancing in these areas.

Powell said that the tests vigorously adjust to a student’s performance level, which makes test scores more accurate, and all information provided through MAP testing better enables the district to make appropriate, data-driven decisions at the classroom, school, and district levels. MAP testing also allows teachers to make rapid adjustments in instruction to respond to identified student needs.

“When it’s all said and done, we will just have a wealth of information at our hands,” said Powell. She added that test results are commonly available within 24 hours, which allows teachers to address any academic problem within an appropriate amount of time.

The MBOE also discussed the following items:

• Kentucky School Boards Association Representative Jeremy Baird gave a brief presentation on Kentucky School Boards Insurance Trust (KSBIT), and addressed all insurance related matters concerning the MISD.

• Shannon Barnard, Tony Maxwell, and Raydean Huddleston were recognized on Monday for securing funds from a private foundation grant in the amount of $10,000. The money will be used to purchase needed classroom materials. Superintendent Cook responded by saying that “with money being so tight, it is always great that our staff is continuously trying to seek out ways to bring resources to our children.”

• With the establishment of the Middlesboro Independent Education Foundation (MIEF), the MBOE announced that Bob Vaughn, Jay Shoffner, and Jamie Bowling will serve as the MIEF Board of Directors.

• The MMS Site Based Decision Making (SBDM) Council, which is comprised of teachers and active parents, spoke about inner-school workings and the importance of setting academic goals. SBDM Council members addressed the board about state level tests scores and preparation, student programs, common planning, parent/teacher involvement, academic strategy and expectations, student achievements, professional development, grant information, and state funding.

• Building reports were given by each MISD principal.

In other business, the MBOE took the following action:

• Approved the decision to allow the Middlesboro Middle School Academic Team to take a trip to New York in 2011.

• Approved the minutes of the October 19 regular called meeting, as well as the October 27 special called meeting.

• Approved the financial reports as presented by Middlesboro High School, Middlesboro Middle School, Middlesboro Intermediate School, and Middlesboro Primary School.

• Approved the Superintendent’s Report on Personnel.

• Approved the April 1, 2010, School Facilities Construction Bond Payment to First State Bank in the amount of $7,080.90.