Elaine Schmiededeshoff from CSBM shared that our current enrollment is 250 students. Along with an increase in SPED students, per-pupil funding rose this month, putting the school in the black. Other than tht there were no significant financial changes this month. The only other change was an increase in the marketing and recruitment budget for staff from $7,000 to $20,000. The school currently has 104 days of cash on hand, in part due to a $7,000 increase in interest income resulting from switching to an interest-bearing savings account. 

Lisa Silva shared the end-of-program assessment data from the TNAACS Summer Boost Summer School Program. She shared that Summer Boost is a 20-day summer intensive program focused on reading, math, and story problems, designed to help students maintain or improve their proficiency in these areas. Lisa noted that TNAACS has a proven track record of consistently strong attendance year over year. Attendance this year and last year was both 91%; however, the assessment completion rate was lower this year, which could skew the assessment data results. 

In ELA and math growth data, TNAACS once again outperformed Lavinia nationally. However, in both subjects, TNAACS saw a drop in the percentage of students scoring at the proficient level. The lowest growth scores were observed among 5th-grade students. While other cohorts showed double-digit growth, the 5th grade saw a 1% increase in math and a 2% decrease in ELA. Both subjects were taught by the same teacher. This was consistent with the cohort's performance on the NYS math exam, but inconsistent with their performance on the NYS ELA exam, where they had strong results. The summer school teacher was also responsible for math instruction during the school year.

Lisa then shared the results for individual students, by grade, and subject. She noted that there is a theory that the lack of growth might be attributed to "High Flyers" being in the rising 5th cohort, which could limit growth opportunities. However, analysis of individual student scores in this cohort showed this was not true. In ELA, 4 of the 5 lowest-performing students' assessment scores decreased from pre- to post-assessment. In addition, 40% of the cohort's scores as a whole decreased, 27% stayed the same, and 33% percent improved. In math, all 4 lowest-performing students' scores decreased from pre to post-assessment, with 60% of the cohort's scores as a whole decreasing, 7% staying the same, and 33% improving. The data for the other grade cohorts were stronger.  The board discusses next steps to support the teacher in improving instruction, to identify ways to improve coaching for the teacher, and to develop support and coaching strategies for Summer School. 

Lisa Silva reported that the new third-grade math teacher has been at TNAACS for several weeks and is doing well. Dr. Babb is working closely with her and informally observing and coaching her. Lisa will be formally observing her in January.

TNAACS has hired an art cluster teacher who will begin the first week in January. The first week is an onboarding period during which she will transform the STEM room into an Art studio.

Lisa reported that a strong candidate was interviewed for the Kindergarten position and will meet with the candidate tomorrow to extend an offer.

Lisa shared professional development resources from the Board On Track website that are available to all board members.