Frances m. rabinowitz
experience2003 - present Connecticut State Department of Education Hartford, CT
Associate Commissioner, Division of Teaching, Learning and Assessment
· Direct all activities and personnel and provide leadership to the Division of Teaching, Learning and Assessment, which includes the following:
o Bureau of Educator Preparation, Certification, Support and Assessment
o Bureau of Curriculum and Instruction
o Bureau of Research, Evaluation and Student Assessment
o Bureau of Educational Equity
· Oversee all requirements of No Child Left Behind (NCLB):
o Cost study analysis at state and local levels
o Reporting requirements for districts, schools and the state
o Develop and implement statewide school improvement model to significantly impact achievement gaps and to meet requirements of NCLB
· Implement practices and strategies of the Center for Performance Assessment (Douglas Reeves) and coordinate implementation among regional educational service centers (RESCs), Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE), Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents (CAPSS), Connecticut Association of Urban Superintendents (CAUS), Connecticut Association of Schools (CAS) and the State Education Resource Center (SERC), leading to a statewide focus on data-driven decision making
· Direct all aspects of statewide assessment including Connecticut Mastery Test (CMT) and Connecticut Academic Performance Test (CAPT)
· Direct updating of curriculum frameworks in all subject areas
· Oversee all facets of Educator Continuum Committee including pre-service, certification, induction (BEST), professional development and educator evaluation; recommendations to be presented to State Board of Education in September 2006
· Provide leadership in development of advanced alternate routes to teacher certification, including library/media program and reading specialist program
· Collaborate with deans of higher education teacher preparation programs to foster communication about how to attract, prepare and retain high-quality teachers
· Lead the High School Advisory Committee (composed of superintendents, principals and representatives from higher education and business), which will make recommendations for high school reform
· Make presentations and develop partnerships with educational groups across the state including RESCs, CABE, CAPSS, CAUS, CAS, Elementary and Middle School Principals’ Association of Connecticut (EMSPAC), Connecticut Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (CASCD), Education Committee of the State Legislature, Connecticut Education Association (CEA), Connecticut State Federation of Teachers (CSFT) and local school districts
· Facilitate partnership with the Stupski Foundation and administer organizational assessment that led to development of results-based strategic plan for Connecticut State Department of Education
· Prepare, administer and monitor budget of more than $350 million with continuous focus on high needs school districts
· Set priorities for budget in collaboration with bureau chiefs and education managers
· Coordinate and supervise all efforts to reduce racial, ethnic and economic isolation, including Open-Choice, magnet school and charter school programs, and interdistrict grant program
· Facilitate partnerships with Department divisions through joint initiatives such as the P.J. Settlement and data-driven decision making
· Develop annual Condition of Education report
· Prepare and present all Division items to State Board of Education
· Select, hire and evaluate staff of 140 individuals
· Serve as spokesperson to newspapers, journals, television and radio
2002 - 2003 Connecticut State Department of Education Hartford, CT
Bureau Chief, Bureau of Curriculum and Instruction
· Guided curriculum and instruction statewide by supporting implementation of legislation related to curriculum and program development
· Supported, coordinated and evaluated bureau curriculum consultants
· Supported implementation of statewide recommendations and guidelines for instruction as well as program improvement
· Coordinated and implemented state and federally funded school improvement initiatives, such as Reading First, Math and Science Partnership, early reading success module training
· Monitored state and federal budget implementation
· Collaborated with local and regional boards of education
· Provided statewide leadership through participation in activities of various professional groups and associations
· Responded to local school district and public requests for information
· Reviewed and distributed curriculum guides and other curriculum resources for local school districts
· Supported statewide initiatives in curriculum design and development
· Developed and implemented curriculum and instructional improvement in priority school districts
1999 - 2001 Bridgeport Board of Education Bridgeport, CT
Executive Director of Teaching and Learning
· Directed and evaluated curriculum supervisors and directors covering PK-12
· Facilitated effective implementation of revised curriculum and instructional improvement initiatives
· Oversaw all aspects of teacher and administrative professional development programs, including BEST and CEU programs
· Directed all aspects of staff evaluation programs, including Intensive Assistance Program, as well as creation of evaluation documents
· Promoted instructor recruitment and retention initiatives
· Oversaw year-long new teacher and new administrator orientation programs
· Directed school improvement process at the three state-identified schools, using NEASC accreditation standards
· Managed multimillion dollar budget that included local and externally generated funds
· Developed and managed grants and supported instructional improvement programs
· Implemented co-teaching in 36 primary classrooms, which resulted in class size reductions and significant improvement in student academic performance
· Key catalyst in development of Student Expectations for Learning Standards at each grade level in diverse disciplines
· Achieved 25 percent increase in AP offerings at each high school
· Implemented comprehensive reading program in all K-3 classes
· Provided training sessions on use of data in instructional decisions; worked at state level to support building principals
· Expanded administrative intern program to include 15 candidates per year and obtained $40,000 grant to support project
· Served as liaison for Connecticut State Partnership
1998 - 1999 Bridgeport Board of Education Bridgeport, CT
Interim Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Schools
· Directed academic functions at three secondary schools and three alternate high schools with an enrollment of 4,000 students
· Extended number of course offerings in each subject area through semester courses
· Initiated process of raising graduation requirements, from 20 to 25
· Implemented parent/administrator/teacher conversations at each secondary school
1985 - 1999 Bridgeport Board of Education Bridgeport, CT
Director of Evaluation and Research
· Supervised development and implementation of group tests in schools, including Stanford 9, Aprenda 2, CMT, CAPT and Pre-Mastery
· Designed and developed score reports to accurately assess student progress
· Developed and presented statements for release of test scores to public
· Spearheaded database creation to support analysis and evaluation of student outcomes
· Developed and implemented school profile reports for superintendent, board of education, and State Department of Education
· Provided data to local committees to facilitate their selection of assessment instruments and provided evaluation results related to present testing and progress
· Served on local committees for review and development of language arts and mathematics curriculum
· Provided in-service training for local staff members, including teachers, supervisors, parents, and principals, covering a variety of topics related to assessment
· Supervised Talented and Gifted Program, establishment of criteria for entrance, selection of students, and curriculum review
· Served on interview committees for key positions within school system
· Consulted with principals and staff to assess student outcomes on group tests
· Recommended changes and enhancements to instructional programs based on student outcomes and trends
· Contact person for statewide data warehouse/mining project initiated by Connecticut Academy of Mathematics, Science and Technology
· Served as consultant to private schools on assessment and instruction
1978 - 1985 Bridgeport Public Schools Bridgeport, CT
Testing Assistant
· Reviewed all group test results and analyzed results for specific patterns and trends
· Reported results to administrators and teachers with recommendations for subsequent action
1972 - 1978 Bridgeport Public Schools Bridgeport, CT
Teacher, McKinley School, Grades 3 and 4
· Developed appropriate curriculum and lessons based on student data
· Designed classroom activities to reinforce learning objectives
· Designed and administered tests to measure student progress and performance
· Provided intensive academic intervention that resulted in consistently high performance
Education
1985 Fairfield University Fairfield, CT
Sixth Year Studies and Intermediate Certification in Administration and Supervision
1978 Fairfield University Fairfield, CT
Master of Arts in Counseling and Guidance
1972 Sacred Heart University Fairfield, CT
Certification in Elementary Education
Bachelor of Arts in English
Professional memberships
Connecticut Testing Network Executive Board
Past President of Connecticut Testing Network
Bridgeport Council of Administrators and Supervisors
Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development
Psychometric Committee for Connecticut Mastery Test
Board of Trustees for Saint Vincent’s College
Special Education Design Team Committee
Phi Delta Kappa
Woodfield Family Services School Visions Committee
"Critical Friend" for the monograph Assessment in Connecticut, written by Mary Yakimowski and Michael Hibbard
Connecticut Academy for Math, Science and Technology Education Data Warehouse/Mining Project committee member
References
Mr. James A. Connelly, former Superintendent of Bridgeport Schools
Dr. Maria Melendez, Assistant Superintendent of Greenwich Public Schools
Mr. Henry Kelly, Assistant Superintendent of Bridgeport Public Schools