BOARD ACADEMIC COMMITTEE MEETING Merit School of Music 38 S. Peoria, Chicago, IL 60607 Elluminate Link: http://snipurl.com/hoselluminate Conference Line: 888-824-5783, passcode 57 872 609 then # TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2014 MINUTES Call to Order: OPEN SESSION 6:00 P.M. Time: 6:05 P.M. 1. ROLL CALL LUZ CHAVEZ COMMITTEE CHAIR ABSENT/PRESENT Board Members: Earl Fredrick - President Michael Lucci - Treasurer Luz Chavez Vice President, Chair Alexander White Alison White Staff: Amy Biasbas Head of School Farland Jenkins Board Administrator 1. ROLL CALL 2. Introduce Guests: Rachel Goodwin, Eric Toman, Angela Tucker 3. Public Comments on Agenda Items None.
& Action 4. Accept Agenda Accept Agenda. Alexander White Voice Vote - Unanimous Aye. None 5. High School Graduation Rate Amended Earl Fredrick Evaluate the process of determining student graduation rates and assures that it consistent with CPS rules and that it be verified and reconciled with CPS annually beginning with the 2013 cohort group. The Board requested verification of the calculation of the rate in previous meetings. CPS calculates the graduation rate based on a simple formula. o True freshmen students who were not freshmen in a previous year are place in a cohort group for that year. o The cohort group is then tracked over 4 years regardless of whether the student graduates from CVCS or not. o The number of students that graduate after 4 years id divided by the number of students in the cohort group. Additions and subtractions of students are not included. The State of Illinois calculates the rate differently. o The original cohort group plus students that enroll minus students who transfer out within the 4 year period. o It is based on the federal definition of graduation rate. The State and CPS posted the graduation rate at 9.7%. Management has data that shows the rate is about 42% based on the definition. Management is attempting to work with CPS to determine how their rate was computed. CPS is being very secretive on how they calculated the rate. This may have an impact on accreditation. The 2009 cohort group had 27 students with 23 actually part of the CVCS cohort group students that automatically leave the CPS district are automatically removed from the equation. CPS data could be correct based on the CVCS withdrawal process. The improved process should yield true data by the 2017 school year. The strategic plan will consider the rate as a goal.
6. Student Turnover The current dropout rate is 2.2%. Two students out of 175 have been withdrawn because CVCS has been unable to contact the families. 7. Curriculum Alignment with Board Academic Goals The Board would like an explanation of how the K12 curriculum will meet the goals that the Board has set in the strategic plan. Some initiatives have been implemented that have demonstrated positive impacts. The Board would like quantifiable results that show a correlation of activities and outcomes. The Board goals include absolute performance improvements. Based on the goals articulated by the Board the issue is How does the curriculum align with the achievement of those goals? 8. K12 Plan for Achieving Academic Goals Earl Fredrick The Board requests that management develop a budget and provide a financial analysis for the items in the FY 2015 plan and present it at the March meeting. Michael Lucci Request the Finance Committee analyze the cost of implementing the strategic plan s mission specific goals and present at the March meeting. Earl Fredrick Plan for K-8: o Cross-curricular instruction in the virtual instructional schedule o Hiring another individual who can help with benchmark test administration and analysis o Develop an 8 th grade to high school transition program o Provide training on new performance policy standards Plan for high school: o Improve correlation of EXPLORE, PLAN, ACT o Professional development on EPAS tests o Shift counselor role for college preparation o ASP support teacher to teach academic skills o Implement AP program for higher enrollment Evaluation of the 8 th grade transition program will be provided at the end of the school year
9. Calendar of Meeting Dates The Academic Committee will meet: o March 11, 2014 at 6:00 P.M. o April 8, 2014 at 6:00 P.M. o May, 13, 2014 at 6:00 P.M. o June 10, 2014 at 6:00 P.M. Draft meeting agendas will be prepared following each full Board meeting 10. Middle School Support Item was discussed as part of the K12 Plan for Achieving Academic Goals. 2nd: 2nd: 11. Board Scholarship Fund Earl Fredrick Request management to develop criteria for awarding scholarships to second year college students. Alexander White Set aside some of the funds to assist students with college application fees and AP test fees. Earl Fredrick Suggested uses for the funds would be to support initiatives outlined in the plan for achieving academic goals. Computer equipment Staffing The original intent was for higher education support for students A recommendation can be made to the Finance Committee to evaluate the efficacy of establishing scholarships for second year college students in the amount of $10 thousand. Management could develop academic or need-based criteria for awarding the scholarships. College application fees can be burdensome for students. 12. Plan for Disengaged and Underperforming Students School Year 2014-15 Value Partnership Informational Sessions/School tours Enrollment orientation revised Strong Start o Boot Camp Learning Coach University Volunteer Program Parent/Liaison Support/Progress Officer
"WhyTry" or Advisory Program The plan should address the strategic plan chart delineating output/outcomes. There may be an addition of 3 to 5 new positions for implementation. 13. Public Comments Time 14. Adjournment 7:35P.M. Secretary These minutes have been posted on Chicago Virtual Charter School's Web Page - http://www.k12.com/cvcs.