Nuasin Next Generation Charter School
Minutes
Monthly Education Committee Meeting
Date and Time
Friday April 21, 2023 at 11:00 AM
Location
Join Zoom Meeting https://metlcs.zoom.us/j/91652815455?pwd=UzU4ZXJwdHhRNWlmOHVjdWpLSGhXdz09
Meeting ID: 916 5281 5455
Passcode: 189310
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Rigor:
We use the word “rigor” not in the stringent or inflexible sense, but in the sense of an unyielding need to challenge and push our scholars because we understand and believe in the potential, talent, and ability of our scholars and community. We challenge our scholars to build their confidence and help them realize what they can achieve.
Self-Advocacy:
Our scholars are empowered to advocate for themselves, their families, and their communities. As our scholars come to understand that their voices are valued and needed, they learn to advocate for themselves. Our scholars are seen and valued; they understand that not only do they have the right to express their opinions, views, and perspectives, but it is their obligation to do so.
Community:
Our scholars will embrace community and understand that as a member of a community you have certain
inalienable rights, the right to be seen, the right to be heard, the right to be protected and the right to be loved and
cherished. Our students will also learn of their obligations. As a member of a community you have the obligation to
respect, listen, support and only want and assume the best in all others. Every member of our community must understand that they are active participants in the Nuasin community and the community goes as we go.
Committee Members Present
E. Chen (remote), S. Huda (remote)
Committee Members Absent
C. Barnes-Watson, J. Boulet, K. Shabazz
Guests Present
A. Brown (remote), K. Davidson (remote), M. Russell (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Approve Minutes
II. Education
A.
Kurt: k-8 update
B.
Anthony: 9-12
Anthony: ensuring that every class is consistent with annotating (from math to history); alignment to k-8; mastery season - daily exit tickets (whether scholars meet targets) - focus on the constructive response (DBQ - short answer questions) - initial IA had a slight dip, as scholars get accustomed to the constructive response
Evaluation of the daily tickets: every teacher looking at the tickets to 1) how scholars are annotation, 2) look for (jots) understanding, 3) look at the steps, 4) write clearly - steps 3 and 4 vary depending on the subject
Day to day mandatory academic support for scholars who need it - individual targeting needs of scholars throughout the day
SAT data: slight improvement
Restored practices: ensuring scholars are in school; consistent parent meetings (for scholars not performing as well); ensuring scholars have a space for support
Quest-bridge program: prestigious program - get scholars who are doing well in lower SES communities the opportunity to explore options - two scholars have been accepted
Scholars have received full-rides for several colleges
Graduation rates: 95% seniors on track; 1 senior is in the intense program to graduate
Malik: both scholars and teachers need to get used to the constructive response method (expressing thought process)
Think about showing an example of mastery evaluation and teaching - present during retreat.
Revamping internal SAT and ACT preparation (internal 2 year program)
College trips have been insightful for scholars
Completed state test: ELA (format changed - first and second day both had multiple choice and writing); some in 3rd grade did not finish day 1 - similar with other schools - preparation efforts were good
Mock exam data: improved work habits; consistent annotation of questions; what questions mean; 3rd and 5th-grade improvement in quantity and quality areas (claims with two pieces of evidence)
New format mock: ELA - approaching proficiency has a lot of room to improve; uptick from last year; Math - last week of math mastery - the biggest gap in calculation errors; good understanding of content - emphasis on double checking work.
Data: Math grades - 1/3 in each red, yellow, and green; where it used to be 1/2 in red - grade 2: 3rd grade readiness
Malik: first question in number stories - understand the question and ask "Does it make sense?" - similar concepts in day one pacing, where the urgency to complete the task - rather have kids working long, rather than not caring - shows improvement (universal strength) in student effort - even for people in the red category can (access as a long-term construct) improve in a week - need to execute k-2 at the level it needs to - going in the right direction
State test is going digital (in the next 2 years): want to get ahead.
Writing itself is a commitment, especially for 3rd graders (re: ELA state test day 1) - more intensity and nerves on day 1