Board of Education Preview: Valley View to Discuss Grading Scale, Online Safety

Among items on Monday night’s t Board of Education Agenda is a discussion on policy changes required by the Federal Internet Children’s Protection Act (CIPA).

Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services Gary Grizaffi is slated to present Internet safety policy changes that will require the district to educate kids about appropriate online behavior, including interacting on social networking sites and dealing with cyberbullies.

The new internet safety policy must be in place by July 1, according to district documents. 

Grading scale change on the way?

Superintendent Jim Mitchem is also scheduled to present an information report on grading scales.

It’s unclear whether any districtwide changes will be proposed — but if they are, they won’t be Valley View’s first big change in terms of how students are graded.

In September 2011, the board approved , which puts heavy emphasis on the end result — test scores and content mastery — and little emphasis on what Mitchem calls “compliance,” or class participation. 

MAP testing for high school?

Also on the agenda is information on a proposal to bring MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) computerized testing to the high school level.

The proposal calls for introducing the test at the 9^th and 10^th grade levels. Last fall, the board gave approval to administer the test in

Literacy program in the works

Another proposal would bring a new grades K-5 literacy program to the district, at a cost of $1.4 million to $2.4 million, according to district documents.

Public session for the May 14 meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. at the administration center, 755 Dalhart Ave. in Romeoville.