Verified EESAC Meeting Minutes

Approval of minutes: Mrs. Robledo called the meeting to order at 8:21 a.m. The minutes from August 31, 2010 were reviewed and approved.

Principal’s message: Mrs. Gonzalez explained that this meeting is to review and approve the School Improvement Plan (SIP) with Mrs. Stroleny and Mr. Rivers reviewing data and goals. Mrs. Stroleny presented the reading data. On the recent grade 6 reading baseline assessment, 69 percent scored proficient compared with 51 percent in 2009; the SIP goal is 97 percent proficiency. It appears we have a strong sixth-grade class this year. On the grade 7 baseline reading assessment, 82 percent scored proficient compared to 77 percent last year; the SIP goal is 100 percent. On the grade 8 baseline reading assessment, 73 percent scored proficient compared to 48 percent last year; the SIP goal is 99 percent. On the grade 8 writing baseline, the school average was 4.13, which is at mastery. Last year we had 100 percent of our students at mastery with an average of 4.8 compared to 5.2 in 2009. Teachers in sixth and seventh grade work to prepare for the state test in grade 8. Mrs. Gonzalez added that mastery is not good enough here at Carver because mastery is 70 percent and that equates to a C average.

Mr. Rivers presented the math scores beginning with grade 6 where students scored 40 percent proficient on the mathematics baseline assessment compared to 36 percent last year; the SIP goal is 96 percent. On the grade 7 mathematics baseline assessment, students scored 58 percent proficient compared to 18 percent last year; the SIP goal is 99 percent. On the grade 8 mathematics baseline assessment, 67 percent scored proficient compared to 39 percent last year; the SIP goal is 99 percent. Mrs. Gonzalez discussed the correlation with data: on last year’s FCAT, sixth- and seventh-graders went up in all areas, but eighth grade scores went down in reading, math, writing, and science. Last year’s eighth-graders started at a lower level, so there is a correlation between baseline data and the FCAT scores. Mr. Viscito asked about the interim exams and the concept of measuring developmental scores and individual improvement of student scores instead of proficiency. Mrs. Gonzalez said she has completed an analysis of growth of students’ scores based on individual teachers for reading and mathematics, and that FCAT levels can drop even if a student shows learning gains. Mr. Rivers said the grade 8 science baseline showed 64 percent proficiency and the SIP goal is 88 percent.

Official Business: The School Improvement Plan was approved by the committee.

Open Forum: Mrs. Gonzalez said that last night we had an excellent workshop led by Mr. Sejeck and Ms. Senior on the Reading Plus program, which students complete twice a week. Mr. Sejeck explained that the program helps with fluency and improves a student’s independent reading level. One component of the program has students read from left to right and words disappear as the student reads. It improves words per minute and lines per minute and the comprehension level grows as well. Students may click on “my progress” to see their data and gains. The program automatically adjusts for student progress. It often starts students at a low independent reading level even though their vocabulary level often is on grade level. Mrs. Plannell said her son has noticed improvement with reading speed so far. Mr. Sejeck said that the more students work, the more they improve. Mrs. Holian asked about students having problems moving to higher levels. Mr. Sejeck said the program automatically adjusts as needed and that students should get closer to grade level as they near the FCAT. Mrs. Gonzlaez said students may use the media center before school if they have no access at home. Mr. Torgas said extra vocabulary exercises are put in to complete the time requirement for a session and that students who go too fast are suspended; he said he likes the program, especially the flash memory component. Miss Holian commented that the lines that disappear keep her from reading too fast or she has to read the passage again. Miss Poirrier said the vocabulary component is effective. Mr. Torgas added that students can choose the passage that interests them and this gives them more freedom. Mr. Sands and Mr. Redmond are working with about 40 seventh-graders during homeroom and are doing Reading Plus as an intervention for level 3 bubble students.

Mrs. Robledo introduced Mr. Sejeck as our newest EESAC member to replace Mrs. Gramling. Mr. Jones was elected as Carver’s Teacher of the Year. He received the FEE Excel Award for 2010 due to three consecutive years of substantial learning gains for his students who were reading below grade level; he was one of 76 teachers in Florida selected. Mrs. Fernandez and Mrs. Martinez also were nominated as candidates for Carver’s Teacher of the Year honor.

Mrs. Gonzalez said that more parent workshops were coming up. We recently had workshops for grade 8 science fair and grade 6 study skills. We will continue with a mathematics workshop and a writing workshop will be held on Oct. 12. Mrs. Robledo asked about parent attendance, Mrs. Gonzalez said the reading workshop was well attended with more than 80 parents. Mrs. Plannell said it is more difficult for parents with students at multiple schools to attend. Mrs. Holian said her daughter’s encouragement convinced her to attend. Mrs. Gonzalez said the science workshop attendance was excellent, but the grade 6 study skills workshop turnout was very poor with only 24 parents attending. She said she understands conflicts but more effort is needed from parents.

Adjournment: Mrs. Robledo adjourned the meeting at 8:53 a.m.