1) Assessment Data 

Trends of interim assessment results were reviewed. We saw trends of ELA scores increasing across grades 9-11 compared to math scores. Teachers have sought to scaffold ELA content throughout the curriculum.

ELA benchmark tests were completed last week. The test results can take between 1-3 weeks to process. The math benchmark tests will be next week. 

• Students higher in ELA in general compared to Math, possibly during covid or coming from home school background. 
• Grade 9 does not take Smarter Balance tests, they took 10th grade ELA and Math tests, explaining why the scores seem a bit lower for Grade 9 in general. 
• Students did not do makeups for interim assessments. Next year, they will schedule the interim assessments throughout and schedule ahead of time. 

• We aim to have 95% students complete assessments. 
  • A few different reasons why kids choose to opt out of tests or not do a makeup tests. So far, two students have opted out to take the tests. Benchmark tests are two days. Last year's score information for current 10th and 11th graders, several kids only completed half of the test but not the full test, explaining why several students did not receive a score.

Cate Boyce: In observing the trends, we see more success in moving kids to increase their scores in ELA because ELA is embedded across the curriculum. What about incorporating math across the curriculum as well? WIHS is exploring how to integrate math more throughout the curriculum, particularly in a real-world applications (Phenomenon Based Learning). 

• School leadership and staff are exploring how to incorporate more math throughout the curriculum, rather than just one standalone course.
• Idea: data and statistics are an easy way to integrate into "non-math" courses. It is important for instructors to collaborate with each other to ensure that they are teaching mathematical concepts similarly. 

Kesia Micheletti: The improvements in ELA scores are likely related to the increased dosage of ELA to students. WIHS has a dedicated ELA instructor, and the Social Studies instructor grounds her curriculum in ELA. As we proceed next year, how can math be co-taught in other courses? How might we integrate math into another course to meet in SDI minutes?

Phenomenon-based learning (PhBL): Returning teachers are re-evaluating how we do PhBL for 4 grades of students (9th through 12th grade). How might we infuse math into PhBL? 

An update on PhBL: Students selected projects in the fall 2022 (community service projects) and within the group, they decided which specific things to do. Spring 2023 PhBL is the Thirteen Moons curriculum.  The student just finished a section on families and identity and will do projects after they complete the curriculum. 

Cate Boyce: Problem-based learning in Mathematics could fit into WIHS philosophy. Dawn has explored some models for problem-based learning. 

Cate recommends the College Prepatory Mathematics or the Integrated Mathematics Project (IMP) as problem-based learning curriculum. 

Kesia sees a need for math to be taught in a more co-structured curriculum. We should not leave math to phenomenon in PhBL. There is a need for teacher professional development in phenomenon-based learning. We discussed the $5K grant received to send (a) WIHS teacher(s) to Finland to receive training in PhBL and/or developing a partnership with Finland educators as an exchange for future work.

2) Attendance issues: how will attendance be addressed moving forward?  

MTSS (Multi-Tiered Systems and Supports) Committee focus this spring has focused on attendance and ways to support students based on their needs. How are we tracking attendance? Putting in more support structures compared to earlier this year.

3) Interim assessment options

What other interim assessments meet the students' needs? What interim assessments might we be able to use instead of Smarter Balance?

Ex:

• NWEA MAPS testing
• ACT assessment family (includes science, Social-emotional component as well)

The next academic committee meeting is June 26th at 3:30 pm. We will review the benchmark data at that meeting. Dawn will send the assessment score breakdown chart for committee review.