The Anchor School
Minutes
Academic Committee Meeting
Date and Time
Wednesday September 10, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Location
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/ngf-bsag-prx
Or dial: (US) +1 260-468-0174 PIN: 597 098 506#
Committee Members Present
E. Desprez Isbell (remote), K. James (remote)
Committee Members Absent
N. LeBlanc, S. Birch
Guests Present
J. Pinto Taylor (remote), K. Sargeant (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
E. Desprez Isbell called a meeting of the Academic Achievement Committee of The Anchor School to order on Wednesday Sep 10, 2025 at 7:03 PM.
C.
Approve Minutes
E. Desprez Isbell made a motion to approve the minutes from Academic Committee Meeting on 08-13-25.
K. James seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED to approve the motion.
II. Academic Achievement
A.
Academic Data Review
- Academic Dashboard review: MAP and Milestone data by next month committee meeting
- Action Item: Add paraprofessional role to on vote at the September board meeting
B.
Academic (Assessment) Calendar
- NWEA MAP Growth Assessment - Reading, Math, Language Arts completed (data coming soon)
- STAMP Spanish Proficiency - will happen in September (slightly delayed)
- FIT Georgia Fitness Proficiency - In progress
- Renaissance DnA - will be used for frequent assessments (every other week)
- ReDefine Ed - created interim assessments for ELA and Math Grades 6-8; end of first semester and another at the end of the third quarter. Other schools are also taking these assessments so there may be comparative data and grade practice
Action Item:
- The Academic Committee members: Review the ELA & Math GMAS statute and learn more about the options for charter schools (as well as how Dekalb Co is managing this).
- TAS has a standard operating procedure for promotion (validated by the promotion policy previously approved by the board) - Josh to share this document.
- Item for Information at the September Board Meeting - Dr. PT to determine what the new assessment window may need to be.
Morgan may be able to help with the legal status of this new statute and our options for exemption as a state charter school.
C.
Year 2 Highlight Data
- GMAS data is still not publicly released.
III. Academic Monitoring Updates
A.
Accreditation Process
- Cognia Review is in the final stage. Recommendation has been submitted to the accreditation board. 5 categories. Currently, we are being recommended for accreditation.
- Ideally accredited by the end of next month.
- In November, Dr. PT will be presenting at the Cognia conference on microvillage school model.
B.
Deadline for SCSC Monitoring Documentation
- Portal just opened yesterday so Dr. PT will be reviewing this and determining if anything has changed from last year to this year.
IV. Academic Policy Items
A.
TAS Teacher Pathway Framework
- Dr. PT has made the updated suggested from last month, needs to present to the Finance Committee since there are financial implications.
- Focus group with teachers to determine any additional feedback
B.
Enrollment Policy & Lottery Weight
- No recommended changes to the enrollment policy. No additional documents will be needed for enrollment.
- Not recommending a weighted lottery (CSP grant requires no weighted lottery).
- Timeline for critical windows will need to be slightly updated.
Action Item: Dr. PT to review the dates and ensure that the enrollment windows fall on correct days of the week and adding 9th grade to the grade bands offered for enrollment. Updated dates will be an item for information at September board meeting.
C.
Staff Handbook Review
This item was carried over from last month in error.
V. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 7:58 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
E. Desprez Isbell