Minutes of the August Meeting of the Dean’s Parent Advisory Panel

Greenwood Laboratory School

August 21, 2001, 8:30-9:40 AM

Participants: David Hough, Emily Carlisle, Debbie Yokum, Jane Doelling, _________ Scott Mars, Mary Byrne, Liz Godwin, Art Spivak, Jerry Masterson, David Minert, Sarah Muegge, Kathi Beasley, Judy Grevillius, Mark Hopkins

Dr. Hough opened the meeting welcoming participants and announcing that this was the second meeting of the Dean’s Parent Advisory Panel. He solicited a volunteer for taking minutes at this meeting and offered that a different participant should take notes at each meeting. After participants introduced themselves, Dr. Hough briefly reported on the topics addressed at the Dean’s Faculty Advisory Council meeting that immediately preceded this meeting. Topics included: the e-Mints initiative, the summer school initiative, possible re-institution of the primary center, joint appointments for Greenwood Laboratory School (GLS) faculty in Missouri State University (Missouri State) departments, and examples of/descriptors associated with a laboratory school.

Dr. Hough asked parent participants to offer their view of a laboratory school. Various descriptions were suggested such as those offered by the National Association of Laboratory Schools (included in the PTA’s paper for the consultant, Dr. Glines), Dr. Glines as discussed in his report, and Dr. Keiser in his recent speeches. Dr. Hough reported that state policy makers recently agreed to refer to GLS as an “experimental school” and offered examples as to how GLS might function as an experimental school, for example, offering a “Kids Kollege” enrichment program or “Boot Hill” award winning program. Participants suggested that a mission statement and plan be developed that clearly define the mission and activities of Missouri State’s GLS. Dr. Hough reported that this recommendation was consistent with the 10^th recommendation of President Keiser’s GLS Evaluation Task Force – that President Keiser should instruct the Dean to develop an action plan for the school. He reported that Dr. William Agnew, Head of the Educational Administration Dept., has been asked to facilitate development of a strategic plan for the College Of Education (COE), the Educational Administration Dept., and GLS. President Keiser would like the strategic plan to be available early next spring (February) and will support this activity by providing the resources of Missouri State’s publication department.

Dr. Hough asked for suggested activities that might be included in an action plan. Participants offered the following: (1) establish a GLS research committee to review proposals for research projects conducted at GLS. The committee should include GLS personnel familiar with past research activity; (2) apply for external funding for research that might assume some of the operating costs of GLS and reduce the burden on parents to assume payment of these costs through tuition increases; (3) explore the feasibility of tuition reduction for some families in the form of a sliding scale for tuition, perhaps in conjunction with a plan for substituting volunteer hours from parents (with consideration for families in which both parents work), a discount for families having multiple children enrolled in the school; and enabling Missouri State employees to redeem their course credit benefit at GLS; (4) explore the feasibility and cost/benefit of aligning GLS tuition with Missouri State tuition; (5) explore the possibility of a scholarship program to promote diversity within the school population; (6) explore strategies for increasing the total student population while making class size consistent with Missouri School Improvement Plan (MSIP) standards (i.e., 24 students per class), perhaps through reinstitution of the preschool program, or expansion of the junior high and high school programs (e.g., summer enrichment programs); (7) assess the pros and cons of random selection for new student enrollment vs a waiting list; (8) identify strategies to increase accessibility of Missouri State campus resources to GLS students; (9) identify strategies to increase GLS resources to Missouri State students seeking authentic pre-professional experiences; (10) identify incentives that will encourage persons from the Missouri State and Springfield communities to participate in creating a stimulating learning environment at GLS; (11) develop a K-12 curriculum consistent with state and professional standards that includes benchmarks, outcomes, and timelines; (12) identify strategies for increasing public school representation at GLS.

Dr. Hough asked if all present would agree to participate in Dr. Agnew’s project. All agreed.

Throughout the meeting, discussion ensued regarding GLS tuition increase. In summary, Dr. Hough iterated that although he is opposed to a tuition increase, an increase for the 2002-03 school year might be inevitable. Recommendations # 4-5 of Dr. Glines’ report supported increasing GLS’s overall revenue through increases in student enrollment (4) and increases in tuition making it commensurate with tuition at laboratory schools throughout the nation (5). The infeasibility of comparing GLS tuition with schools in locations with a higher cost of living was discussed. Dr. Hough suggested that a sub-committee of parents review possible differentiated tuition plans based on family income. Participants suggested items (2)-(6) above. Also considered were increases in funding over time from GLS’s Foundation account, and possible fund raising campaigns. Because the education of GLS students is secondary to (i.e., a by-product of) Missouri State’s purpose to educate preservice and inservice teachers, Missouri State contributions toward covering costs associated with fulfilling this purpose must be factored into the GLS budget as explicitly as possible.

Also discussed was the need to improve communication among parents of GLS students, the GLS administration, and the COE. The COE needs to increase direct communication regarding its activity at GLS to parents and teachers. GLS administration needs to effectively communicate parent and teacher concerns directly to the COE. Parents need to communicate with GLS and COE administration through appropriate channels and work constructively to promote the development of an exemplary education environment that is a model for all schools in the state of Missouri.

Regular meetings of the Dean’s Parent Advisory Committee are scheduled for the third Tuesday of every month. Participants suggested that future meetings be conducted at St. Louis Bread Co. on the corner of National & Cherry Streets to avoid parking problems. Dean Hough will make arrangements and announce the time and place.

Meeting adjourned.

ADDENDUM:

Dean Hough has reserved space at the St. Louis Bread Co. on the corner of National & Cherry Streets from 8:30-9:30 AM on the following dates:

September 18

October 16

November 20

December 18

Respectfully submitted by Mary Byrne