Present: Nancy Barr, Gwen Grant, Harold Hawkins, Kay Postma, Mary Sinclair, John Veal, Linda Williams, Eva Wojcik-Obert
Purpose: to monitor & promote student academic achievement as a combined subcommittee of the LCPA Task Force & SAC. The meeting was held at 3:45 p.m. in the High School ROTC Room with Nancy Barr officiating.
The following items were distributed:
LCPA 1999 & 2000 Terra Nova Scores, disaggregated by race, gender and free/reduced lunch for Communication Art - Grade 7 & 11, Social Studies - Grade 8 & 11, Science - Grade 7 & 10, & Math - Grade 8 & 10 2000 MAP Scores for LCPA vs. State of MO, 1997 - 2000 in Communication Art - Grade 7 & 11, Social Studies - Grade 8 & 11, Science - Grade 7 & 10, & Math - Grade 8 & 10 LCPA High School 2000 MAP Scores, Comparison by Race, Gender, Gifted, & Free/Reduced Lunch Scores for Communication Art - Grade 11, Social Studies - Grade 11, Science - Grade 10, & Math - Grade 10 LCPA Middle School 2000 MAP Scores, Comparison by Race, Gender, Gifted, & Free/Reduced Lunch Scores for Communication Art - Grade 7, Social Studies - Grade 8, Science - Grade 7, & Math - Grade 8
The data presented was reviewed. It is remarkable to have this breakdown of data available for analysis. Many thanks goes to Nancy Barr for the effort she exerted in gathering and reporting this information in such a meaningful fashion. Achievement gaps were identified which need to be addressed with a larger audience of teachers.
Mr. Veal briefly review the Education Trust's annual national conference which he attended. He noted that LCPA has already instituted several of the academic initiatives that were recommended, but some new ideas are worthy of consideration. These include having students remain with the same teachers for three years, effective time utilization for scheduling, and increasing the number of students taking advanced courses. He noted that the current cost for the IB/AP combined program is approximately $25,000 per year.
Continued concern was expressed regarding LCPA's early start-time. The way negative stereotyping can adversely affect academic performance was discussed. The need for reducing standardized test-taking anxiety by coaching and more practice tests was noted. The different ways and styles in which student learn was discussed. The time restraints for teachers were noted as a problem with administering different types of test assessments. The increased use of study or learning teams in which peer support enables students to collectively improve each other performance was proposed. It was noted that team efforts would help prepare students for the work place by encouraging cooperative learning and how to manage various learning skills and abilities.
The need to distribute IB standards requirement materials to all teachers, whether they teach IB courses or not, was noted. The need for consistent, across the board implementation of high teacher expectations was noted with the expectation being excellence, not perfection.
The current early intervention/mentoring program was outlined and discussed. It was noted that the emphasis is on student retention and success at LCPA. The concerns regarding motivating "reluctant learners" who are capable students that are not performing up to expectations was discussed.
The next meeting will be
January 17th at 4:00 p.m.
in the high school ROTC room
submitted by:
Kay Postma