Hannah shares STAR Progress (Math)

• Reported that final DIBELS data is still pending because 8th grade testing was only recently completed and scores are still being uploaded into Open Architects.
• Reminded the committee that Fall STAR scores were artificially inflated due to testing accommodations being administered incorrectly.
• Explained that accommodations had been provided based on staff judgment rather than students' IEP requirements.
• Clarified that Winter and Spring STAR assessments were administered correctly and provide a more accurate comparison.
• Reported:
  • Student proficiency increased by 1.6% from Winter to Spring.
  • Student Growth Percentile increased by 1.2% from Winter to Spring.
• Acknowledged that math performance remains an area of concern.

Discussion Regarding Math Performance

Kristen asked:

• How the accommodation issue occurred.
• Whether the dedicated math teacher model should be explored further as a potential strategy.

Jeff asked:

• Whether there are successful Montessori or outside-school models that should be studied.
• Whether additional homework, parent education, progress monitoring, or math clubs could improve outcomes.
• What strategies leadership is pursuing to address ongoing math concerns.

Hannah responded:

• Leadership is actively researching successful Montessori and public school math models.
• She has consulted with leaders from other Montessori schools, including schools using the IM curriculum.
• There is currently no single solution for math improvement.
• Additional interventions and supports are being implemented and monitored.

Classroom Model Discussion

Hannah reported:

• Classroom-level data showed stronger growth in classrooms where:
  • One staff member focused primarily on literacy.
  • One staff member focused primarily on math.
• Additional data is needed before determining whether this model should be expanded.

Additional Math Supports

Niamh reported:

• An additional math interventionist will provide push-in support next year.
• Intervention will focus on:
  • Math fact fluency.
  • Understanding relationships between operations.
  • Early intervention before students significantly fall behind.

Math Improvement Initiatives

Current initiatives include:

• Structured lower elementary math curriculum.
• Summer math work for students.
• Additional math intervention support.
• Collaboration with Greenfield Learning.
• Six-week pacing guides and progress monitoring assessments.
• Increased focus on reteaching and mastery before moving students forward.

DIBELS Progress (Literacy)

Hannah Presented Literacy Data

Overall proficiency:

• Fall: 39.2%
• Winter: 41.8%
• Spring (excluding 8th grade): 46.1%

Kindergarten proficiency:

• Fall: 11.1%
• Winter: 22.9%
• Spring: 40.5%

Lower Elementary proficiency:

• Fall: 40.2%
• Winter: 42.5%
• Spring: 52%

Discussion of Literacy Growth

Hannah noted:

• Literacy growth was significant across multiple grade levels.
• Results demonstrate that students and staff are capable of strong growth when effective systems are in place.

Jeff asked:

• What level of annual growth would generally be considered realistic.

Hannah responded:

• Typical annual proficiency growth is approximately 2–4%.
• Current literacy gains significantly exceeded those expectations.

Literacy Interventions

Niamh reported:

• Growth is likely connected to implementation of:
  • Heggerty.
  • Pathways.
  • Increased direct intervention within classrooms.
• Students are entering future grades with stronger foundational literacy skills.

• Members discussed identifying similar systems and practices that could improve math outcomes.
• Literacy gains were viewed as evidence that instructional changes can positively impact student achievement.

Kristen Provided Staff Survey Update

• Staff Survey closed on Friday.
• Goal was 40 responses.
• Received 37 responses from 57 staff members.
• Results were organized into three categories:
  • Board and school feedback.
  • Ginger and Marc feedback.
  • Hannah and Niamh feedback.
• Written comments were summarized into themes to protect anonymity and improve review efficiency.

Discussion Regarding Survey Results

Kristen asked:

• Whether leadership feedback should be distributed immediately or reviewed by Ginger and board leadership first.

Hannah confirmed:

• Feedback regarding Hannah and Niamh would be shared with Ginger.

Jeff suggested:

• Confirming the appropriate review process before distributing leadership feedback.
• Balancing transparency with confidentiality.

Additional Notes

• Kristen noted that staff responses generated several ideas that may be useful for future committee planning and retreat discussions.

Family Survey

Kristen Provided Family Survey Update

• Family survey has been transferred into JotForm.
• Translation capabilities have been added.
• Optional demographic questions were included.
• Introductory language was added explaining:
  • Purpose of the survey.
  • Accountability Committee's role.
  • Importance of family feedback.
• Survey distribution is planned for the coming week.

Discussion Regarding Demographic Questions

Hannah reported:

• She contacted MCPSA regarding demographic questions but had not yet received guidance.
• The committee discussed proceeding while remaining flexible if changes are needed.

Survey Participation Incentives

Kristen asked:

• Whether incentives could be offered to increase participation.

June suggested:

• Raffle prizes using extra school t-shirts.

Additional discussion included:

• Potential gift card raffle if budget permits.

Jeff L. approved:

• Moving forward with t-shirt raffle incentives.

Family Survey Next Steps

• Final edits will be completed.
• Surveys will be sent out by Wednesday 

Dissemination Hannah Reported

• The school's dissemination requirement has been completed.
• Requirements now focus on outreach and invitations rather than attendance.
• Compliance was achieved earlier in the school year.