Verified EESAC Meeting Minutes

Approval of minutes: Mrs. Gonzalez called the meeting to order at 8:26 a.m. When Mrs. Robledo arrived, the minutes from September 22, 2008, were reviewed and approved.

Principal’s message: Mrs. Stroleny went over information from the interim assessments to show how Carver students are progressing. The school purchased district baseline and interim assessments at the beginning of the year to help teachers track student achievement by showing strengths and areas needing remediation. Classroom instruction at Carver does not always follow the district’s pacing guide because we have an all-advanced curriculum. We continue to use our curriculum because it gives us outstanding results year after year. Mrs. Gonzalez explained that the district curriculum is aimed at the average population and is geared to give students a “3” on the various FCAT tests. Our students need to score significantly higher for us to maintain our scores. Furthermore, one hundred percent eighth-graders are enrolled Algebra 1 and Earth Space Science, which is a year ahead of most other eighth-graders in the county. Therefore, interim results need to be analyzed carefully to then determine instructional needs.

On the interim reading exam, 79 percent of eighth-graders, 81 percent of seventh-graders, and 77 percent of sixth-graders showed mastery. We see a need to increase achievement across all grade levels in main idea, plot, and author’s purpose. The literacy team has representatives from all departments and they work collaboratively on developing literacy across all subject areas and have asked that all departments support the school’s reading initiatives. On the interim math exam, 80 percent of eighth-graders, 69 percent of seventh-graders, and 66 percent of sixth-graders showed mastery. The tests showed that sixth-graders have lower scores in number sense; seventh-graders have lower scores in measurement and number sense; and eighth-graders have lower scores in algebraic thinking and number sense. On the science interim exam, 65 percent of eighth-graders and 66 percent of seventh-graders showed mastery. Mrs. Gonzalez explained that we have the highest science scores in the district and possibly the state. Mrs. Junghahn said her ninth-grade daughter at MAST is well ahead of her peers in science and feels Carver prepared her well for advanced high school science courses. Mrs. Stroleny explained some other strategies being implemented to help students succeed include: Students who scored low level 3’s in math and reading are being addressed by Mr. Sejeck, who is meeting with these students and their parents to go over their scores, attendance, and grades. He is monitoring their progress. Some students are showing high levels of success and others need “more push and follow-up for additional support.” A new interactive technology program for math and science, Gizmos, has been purchased. It has proved fun and reinforces what is going on in classroom. The Social Studies Department is supporting the Language Arts Department by incorporating informational texts in their instruction. Mrs. Gonzalez said there is a concern in the district about middle school students not being accustomed short- and extended-response questions and thereby not being highly successful with this type of FCAT test question. Another concern is that students who previously would have been retained in third grade because of low FCAT scores, were promoted to fourth grade using alternate criteria, and longer have to pass the FCAT to be promoted. At this time these students are in the middle school population.

Open Forum: Mrs. Plummer, Mrs. Junghahn, and Mrs. Poe-Liu all commended the political process and the preparation from the Social Studies Department in making students aware of issues. Mrs. Gonzalez said she kept her views private out of respect for the views of others. Miss Diez commented about listening on the radio this morning and how anything is possible in this country and this election proves that point. Mrs. Gonzalez reported that the cost is $21,000 for updating the sound system for the auditorium, but that Mr. Valerio is checking on prices. Because of the cost, the updating of the sound system may have to be done in stages. She also said that the renovation of the gym is almost completed.

Adjournment: Mrs. Robledo adjourned the meeting at 8:55 a.m.