Bill & Wendy discussed this year’s report. He noted that many of the goals are “Not Met” due to the COVID-19 closure and that this is expected by DESE given the circumstances. Given that our students were unable to take end-of-year assessments, we used mid-year assessments and projected typical growth that would have happened over the following months. Many students had already achieved growth at that point and we would have expected additional growth in the Spring had we remained open. The overall academic trajectory of students is similar or improved as compared to previous years.

The committee noted that the results are positive and that Kindergarten results showed that many students are at or above grade level, indicating that we are holding to the commitment of beginning our rigorous curriculum in our earliest grade. The committee discussed recruitment and retention metrics, including the only area where the school was below target (students receiving free or reduced lunch), and that the school is continuing to advance efforts in this area.

Jess discussed the summer learning results so far. We enrolled 71 students, with teachers covering Special Education, K, 1, 2, and 3-5. For ELA-focused sessions, most students’ attendance is high, with 1.2 absences per student on average, but that is skewed higher by a few students with infrequent attendance. Attendance is higher in upper grades, as is attendance for students who have IEPs. Completion of independent math assignments is not as frequent, partially due to technical challenges with the platform, but is improving with time.

Bill, Wendy, and Jess discussed the high-level draft plans as well as the academic, political, social, and health context that led to these proposed plans. They expressed that school plans to exceed the requirements for safety that were presented by DESE, but that other schools’ plans may impact our plans. 

The committee expressed that having staff and family feedback loops will be critical to our planning and ongoing decision-making, in addition to other data. They discussed transportation and how that will work in these scenarios, but currently, the school is awaiting guidance from DESE and trying to understand SPS plans. The group also discussed the required and planned hours of school per day and year. Bill discussed that DESE would likely approve shortened school days and that a charter amendment would not be necessary for that change. He noted that the Commissioner is also trying to alter the required learning days and hours for this school year to allow for additional prep and training time for schools and staff.

The group discussed staffing concerns regarding extended absences and off-site teachers. They discussed the need to understand how many teachers and staff could be absent and/or at home and still allow the school to conduct in-person learning and/or remote learning while maintaining the highest quality instruction possible. Bill noted the challenge of developing policies and procedures that feel equitable and respectful to staff members' concerns while still ensuring the functioning of the school as required, or preferred, by families and school leadership.

They also discussed the accountability of students in remote learning and that DESE has made clear that attendance and graded work are expected in the fall. The committee expressed that any flexibility to adapt our plan to “reasonable expectations” for families and students will be helpful, especially considering family challenges as well as the impacts of COVID-19-related changes on students’ mental health and well-being.

The group discussed how the Board could be involved with decisions and get feedback from staff and families to inform their decisions, and the group agreed to find an appropriate mechanism for that interaction in the coming days.

Bill discussed that the school is drafting its next 5-year accountability plan and has submitted it to DESE for initial review. It will be shared with the committee and board after DESE's review.

This discussion was tabled due to time constraints.

Bill will present the school’s draft reopening plan at the upcoming Board meeting.

The next Academic Achievement Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, 9/16/2020 at 8 am.