Verified EESAC Meeting Minutes

Approval of minutes: Mrs. Robledo called the meeting to order at 8:29 a.m. The minutes from August 30 were reviewed and approved.

SIP Review: The EESAC is the sole body responsible for the approval and implementation of the School Improvement Plan, (SIP). Mrs. Stroleny explained that this EESAC meeting is necessary to approve the SIP. The document was developed collaboratively and closely reviewed to meet school needs as well as District/State guidelines. On September 9, Mrs. Stroleny and Mr. Sejeck met with a District committee which reviewed the school’s SIP, suggesting only minor wording modifications. Mrs. Stroleny said she was pleased with the process. Mrs. Stroleny gave updates on the FCAT baseline data from the last meeting when some of the data was incomplete. There was no change in the mathematics data from the last meeting. However, mathematics teachers will administer the 8th grade mathematics baseline to provide additional data to the Algebra 1 Baseline results. Reading scores are slightly different from what was reported at the last EESAC meeting because all answer sheets have been scored. Grade 6 had 60 percent of students scoring proficient; grade 7 had 89 percent scoring proficient; and grade 8 had 69 percent scoring proficient. In grade 8 science, 24 percent scored proficient. In Writing, 79 percent of students in grade 8 achieved mastery. We also tested grades 6 and 7 in writing, and they scored 14 percent and 12 percent at mastery, respectively. Mr. Viscito asked what score is needed for mastery; Mrs. Stroleny explained 3 is mastery for students as it relates to Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in the SIP.
Interventions to facilitate student achievement have begun. The Literacy Team met and analyzed most current school data trends and reviewed strategies to address student needs; teachers have started to conduct data chats with students; and tutoring, which had started at the time of the last EESAC meeting. The committee approved the SIP as presented.

Principal’s message: Mrs. Gonzalez updated the committee on the state of midterm and final exams. She said the District is eliminating these exams according to the pupil progression plan, and final approval is expected at the next school board meeting. Mr. Viscito asked about the rationale of the decision. Mrs. Gonzalez said the decision is based on the high number of tests that students are being required to take. She discussed the elimination of the 5-point rule a few years ago, explaining that she felt the rule was helpful in keeping students working hard all year. Mrs. Robledo said the elimination of midterms and finals is to prepare for the End Of Course testing of students set to begin in 2014. Mrs. Gonzalez said she sees more need for midterms than finals because midterms allow students and teachers to assess learning during the year. Mrs. Torgas asked about the weight of the End Of Course exams, and Mrs. Robledo and Mrs. Gonzalez explained that the results would become part of the students’ final grade. Mrs. Stroleny added that students in Grade 6 traditionally scored poorly on midterms and did better in grades 7 and 8. Mrs. Holian asked who requires the EOC exams and Mrs. Gonzalez said it is the state.

Mrs. Gonzalez said the idea of quarterly exams in all courses is on hold. Mrs. Robledo suggested a type of comprehensive assessment that could count as a test score during the second 9 weeks. Mrs. Gonzalez said she does not expect formal midterms and finals to take place this year. Students who took the Algebra EOC last year did extremely well; 100 percent of our seventh-graders passed. Mr. Viscito asked for clarification on passing of the EOC and how it impacts students’ ninth-grade courses. Mr. Torgas asked about the biology EOC and the role of this year’s pilot test. Mrs. Gonzalez said last year’s algebra pilot did not count against students. Mr. Sands asked about the Race to the Top monies, and Mrs. Gonzalez said she sent in the list of all teachers who taught in the core subjects of language arts, math, science, and social studies last year. Mrs. Gonzalez said there have been some changes in dates of high school articulation visits, and parents will be notified of revised dates. Mr. Henkel asked the date of the next EESAC meeting and was told it is November 1.

Adjournment: Mrs. Robledo adjourned the meeting at 8:57 a.m.