Edelyn Contreras, Committee Chair, directed the attention of the Committee to the School Year 2022-2023 Quarter 2 Academic Updates. Laura Edouard, Principal, began the Quarter 2 updates noting that, like the Quarter 1 results discussed in the previous Academic Excellence Committee Meeting, Quarter 2 average passing rates are higher than those of School Year 2021-2022. The School’s 9th and 12th  grade students continue to perform exceptionally well in comparison to their counterparts. Further, Edouard noted that 12th graders have shown the most improvement from last quarter. Both General Education and Special Education students are performing at the same level, with students who receive English Learning Language (ELL) services performing at even higher levels. As an area of continued growth, Edouard confirmed that 11th grade remains the lowest performing grade at CoaH and noted the School has additional plans to address this gap. 

Edouard then transitioned to reviewing departmental trends. In comparison to last quarter, she noted overall geometry grades have increased though the performance has not been as high as other math courses. She continued on to explain that in comparison to School Year 2021-2022, all MCAS-tested subjects, which include Math, Science and ELA, are otherwise generally on trend to be the same, if not better than previous years while still allowing for areas of improvements. 
 

Next, Edouard began to discuss action plans for the aforementioned Quarter 2 updates. She confirmed that the action plans include, but are not limited to: 1) providing additional after school support for students failing one or more classes, 2) promoting a returning CoaH science teacher to lead teacher, and 3) making adjustments to curriculum, including Spanish, based on result data and feedback. The Committee inquired if there were other afterschool programs that were specific to classes, for example a language exchange, available to students. Edouard confirmed that there were not, but that she would include it in her discussions with school leaders.

Finally, Edouard began the School-Wide Academic Goals updates. This school year, City on a Hill has the following academic goals: 1) 70% of students will meet or exceed the benchmark for ELA and Math on MAP Testing, 2) 50% of students will meet or exceed expectations on MAP testing, 3) 85% daily average attendance for School Year 2022-2023 4) Students on IEP plans will have an average passing rate of at least 70% and 5) No more than 10% of students receiving a suspension. 

As of Quarter 2, the School is partially on track for meeting said goals in ELA (57%) and Math (63%) however, we are fully on track for meeting this goal in Science (71%). Edouard also confirmed that CoaH has continued to meet the daily attendance average goals with an 85% average daily attendance rate for Quarter 2. She also noted that 75% of students with IEP are passing, surpassing the goal by 5%.

Finally, Edouard celebrated that the school has also continued to succeed  in regards to its suspension goal with a January 2022 suspension rate of 2.2% in comparison to November 2021’s rate of 4.4%. The Committee thanked Edouard and encouraged her to request any support they could provide in this area.