The Anchor School
Minutes
Academic Committee Meeting
Date and Time
Wednesday August 14, 2024 at 8:00 PM
Location
Committee Members Present
E. Desprez Isbell (remote), J. Burton (remote), N. LeBlanc (remote)
Committee Members Absent
None
Committee Members who arrived after the meeting opened
J. Burton
Guests Present
J. Pinto Taylor (remote), L. Long (remote), L. McDonald (remote), M. Felts (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 Aug 14, 2024 at 8:04 PM.
C.
Approve Minutes
E. Desprez Isbell made a motion to approve the minutes from Academic Committee Meeting on 06-12-24.
N. LeBlanc seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
N. LeBlanc made a motion to to add an agenda item to discuss new staffing needs presented Dr. Pinto-Taylor.
E. Desprez Isbell seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
II. Academic Achievement
A.
Academic Dashboard Review
J. Burton arrived.
Academic updates
- 77 scholars participated in GMAS exam
- TAS scholars were more likely to pass the ELA portion of the Milestones in 6th grade than their peers in the state of Georgia or the county of DeKalb
- TAS scholars were less likely to score proficient learner or distinguished learner on the ELA portion of the Milestones in 6th grade than their peers in the state of Georgia or the county of DeKalb
- TAS scholars were more likely to be reading on grade-level at the end of 6th grade than their peers in the state of Georgia or the county of DeK
How school leadership is using the data:
- Using data to see which scholars may need remedial learning support
- Leaning into centers-based learning and grading practices
- Hosting weekly standards check-ins (formative assessments)
B.
Academic Assessment Calendar
- Adding the NWEA MAP reading fluency assessment
- Scholars would take this depending on scores on MAP reading assessment
- We're required by the State to assess for dyslexia
- MAP winter assessment has been removed
- Bi-weekly assessments from Renaissance DnA (more real-time) - need to update the assessment calendar to accurately reflect this
- WIDA ACCESS 2.0 will occur in January and is required for English-language learners
- Staff wants to avoid testing fatigue
- This will take follow-up for alignment
III. New Staffing Needs (amended addition)
A.
Discussion
- Dr. Pinto-Taylor recommends that TAS hires an additional Personalized Learning Specialist (PLE) for SY24-25 (urgent) and a contracted counselor to serve emerging needs for current enrollment and IEP students
- Some budget scenario discussion has happened with Finance Committee about larger enrollment
- Still need to quantify hours for additional counseling - would reduce case loads per counselor
- Dr. Pinto-Taylor will submit an additional recommendation for Board vote for a contracted or hired counselor
N. LeBlanc made a motion to allow Dr. Pinto-Taylor to solicit for the PLE role in a way that helps him prepare for a potential board vote which will confirm this hire.
E. Desprez Isbell seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
IV. Additional Items from Operations Committee
A.
Personnel Handbook Updates
Handbook additions:
- A paid parental leave policy in accordance with OCGA 45-20-17
- Added as a new Section 6.15 in the Staff Handbook
- An opioid antagonists policy in accordance with OCGA 20-2-776.5
- Added as a new Section 8.4 in the Staff Handbook and p. 43 of Family Handbook
- Revisions to the due process provisions of the disciplinary section in accordance with OCGA 20-2-754
- p. 20 in the Family Handbook
N. LeBlanc made a motion to readopt the TAS Family and Staff handbooks.
J. Burton seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
B.
SCSC Monitoring
- Status updates previously shared in August Executive Committee meeting
C.
School Safety Plan
N. LeBlanc made a motion to approve the TAS school safety plan for SY24-25.
E. Desprez Isbell seconded the motion.
- First drill will occur in the first 10 days of school
V. Other Academic Items
A.
Vote: Academic Accreditation
- This committee isn’t ready for a vote at this time
- Board previously voted to move forward with COGNIA
- Goal is to be accredited by the end of the 8th-grade year
- Need to understand:
- Budget implications on COGNIA accreditation pathways
- Accreditation management post-decision (TAS leadership or the Board)
- TAS Staff and Board will review respective items accordingly. We'll discuss again at the September committee meeting.
B.
TAS High School action items
- Dr. Pinto-Taylor is already taking actions to prepare for high school, including drafting grant proposals
C.
Standards Based Grading and Grade Conversions
- We'll review this for committee vote in September.
D.
Professional Qualifications Policy
- We'll review this for committee vote in September.
VI. 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 9:34 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
N. LeBlanc
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