Edison School of the Arts
Minutes
Academic Excellence Committee Meeting
Date and Time
Tuesday February 19, 2019 at 4:30 PM
Edison School of the Arts Mission is to continue to be an educational and artful resource for all students, parents, community, and staff members by consistent and focused professional development, invitational practices by all, utilizing quarterly and annual reviews. We will continue to develop our educational and arts aesthetic by expanding our arts experiences, exposure, and partnerships
Edison School of the Arts Vision is to provide an environment that promotes high academic and creative achievement through implementation of visual and performing arts course programming. We encourage students to become responsible citizens who are culturally diverse. We develop lifelong learners, appreciators, and consumers of the arts.
Edison School of the Arts Vision is to provide an environment that promotes high academic and creative achievement through implementation of visual and performing arts course programming. We encourage students to become responsible citizens who are culturally diverse. We develop lifelong learners, appreciators, and consumers of the arts.
Committee Members Present
A. Berns, H. Leck
Committee Members Absent
E. Disney-Britton
Guests Present
C. Jones, K. Feeney-Caito, N. Tuttle, P. Guthrie
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance and Guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
H. Leck called a meeting of the Academic Excellence Committee of Edison School of the Arts to order on Tuesday Feb 19, 2019 at 3:54 PM.
C.
Adoption of the Agenda
K. Feeney-Caito made a motion to approve the agenda for the academic excellence committee.
A. Berns seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED to approve the motion.
D.
Approve Minutes
K. Feeney-Caito made a motion to approve minutes from the Academic Excellence Committee Meeting on 12-18-18 Academic Excellence Committee Meeting on 12-18-18.
N. Tuttle seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED to approve the motion.
II. Academic Excellence
A.
Review of "Communication Points List" for Board
A. Berns discussed that the board wanted to see the attendance expectation and review suspension rates. The academic dashboard will serve as the points of communication with the board.
B.
Discussion of recent testing and professional development
IREAD
Professional Development
- There is a new online practice test for IREAD 3. The purpose of the online testing application is to expose students to the online assessment. The practice test does not generate scores of student performances.
- H. Leck referenced the book When by Daniel H. Pink. He discussed the value of research and peak times of testing for students. It's important that teachers prepare students for testing while creating a classroom environment that brings out their students' best performances.
- Students are preparing for ILEARN testing. ILEARN is an untimed test. Data will be available for ILEARN in August 2019.
- A. Berns discussed student growth in the areas of Math and ELA test scores.
Professional Development
- Kimberli Boyd began her Kennedy Center artist in residency at Edison School of the Arts. Her focus is movement and arts integration professional development. She will be conducting classroom demonstrations and facilitating after school professional development sessions throughout the spring semester.
C.
Update on Attendance and Suspensions
Attendance
- There was a drop in attendance due winter advisory 2 hour delays and school closings.
- N. Tuttle discussed that the state attendance average is 95%.
- K. Marshall discussed that teacher's accountability should be reflective of their students' attendance rates.
- N. Tuttle and A. Berns discussed having one on one meetings with students who have behavioral concerns. A. Berns and the Behavior Adjustment Facilitators have refined the Guided Learning Center procedures and student engagement practices. The procedures include improved models of parent communication.
D.
Progress on Dashboard
A. Berns and N. Tuttle discussed that they will be revising data for the academic dashboard. They will provide an updated academic dashboard to the committee during the next committee meeting.
E.
Discussion of Potential New Members to Committee
New Committee Member Introduction
- Kelli Marshall joined the academic committee this evening. Her educational background includes 16 years in primary and secondary education. She has worked within a number of public and charter schools across the city of Indianapolis.
- H. Leck and N. Tuttle met with Lisa Brooks from Butler University to discuss her joining the committee.
F.
Update on Areas of Concern
7th/ 8th Grade Teacher Position
- H. Leck discussed the open 7th/ 8th grade ELA position.
- N. Tuttle discussed that there are currently two substitute teachers placed in the vacant 7th/8th grade ELA classroom to monitor behavior and implement instruction. There is also an additional substitute teacher that has been hired to assist with behavioral intervention for 7th grade students.
- The substitutes teachers are attending data meetings. They CEO/ Executive Director and Principal are providing the substitute teachers with routine academic coaching.
- Currently two long term substitute teachers have been placed in the fourth grade classroom.
- A. Berns discussed that there has been growth in 4th grade students' academic performance.
G.
Update on Accomplishments
Enrollment
- The committee discussed the tracking of student attendance and enrollment projections for 2019-2020 school year.
- The use of Enroll Indy for student recruitment and registration has been helpful with marketing of Edison's arts integration education model.
- Since the last committee meeting, Edison has accepted 10 more students resulting in an enrollment increase.
- The social and emotional learning curriculum has been resourceful. It has helped students and teachers establish a stronger school culture.
- N. Tuttle discussed the benefits of the Relay training. It assisted the CEO/Executive Director and Principal with school management and curriculum perspectives. The COE/ Executive Director will continue to build the rigor of teachers so that that provide their students with the appropriate academic guidance and classroom accommodations.
III. New section
A.
Problem Resolution Procedure and Grievance Form
The committee will discuss the problem resolution procedure and grievance form at the next committee meeting.
IV. Academic School Year Schedule
A.
Forecast of Forthcoming Events Affecting Academic Progress and/or Growth
Enrollment
- P. Guthrie discussed that the population projections for enrollment are favorable.
- A. Berns discussed that the Whetstone evaluation system has provided positive feedback on teacher performances
V. Teacher Observation & Evaluation
A.
Review of Opportunities for Professional Growth
The committee will review opportunities for professional growth at the next committee meeting.
VI. New Business
A.
Areas of New Business
There were no areas of new business.
VII. 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 5:40 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
H. Leck