LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS / Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education meeting highlights

FEBRUARY 18, 2025, work session

• Strategic plan goals and key data targets
• Attendance and absenteeism
• Literacy and math achievement
• Graduation rates
  
  

Present were President Malia Lewis, Gabe Crenshaw, Dan Heintz, and Phil Trimble. Also present were Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby and Treasurer Scott Gainer. Jodi Sourini was not present. The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. and adjourned at 8:30 p.m. 

The meeting focused on an update of first semester goals and data. Lashonda Abdussatar, Allison Byrd, Rachael Coleman, Michael Jenkins, Robert Swaggard, and Amanda Zapotechne discussed the data for leading indicators, progress, and next steps for strategic plan goals regarding attendance, literacy and mathematics, and graduation.

Strategic plan goals and key data targets

The 2026 goals are 100 percent of third graders reading at or above identified grade level; 80 percent of students showing proficiency or higher on state assessment; 90 percent of students having course success in algebra; and 90 percent of students pursuing a viable career path.

Key data targets to meet for 2024-2025 are 75 percent of third graders reading at or above grade level; 80 percent of students showing proficiency or higher on state assessment; 87 percent having course success in algebra; 90 percent pursuing a viable career path; and, for graduation, 95 percent of students entering the 2024-2025 class graduating in four years.

Attendance and absenteeism 

The 2024 state report card indicated an attendance rate of 89 percent and a chronic absenteeism rate of 37.5 percent. For the current school year, attendance is 91.1 percent; the target is 94.5 percent. The current year chronic absenteeism rate is 35.5 percent; the target is 34.5 percent.

For action steps, each school has an attendance team that meets bimonthly, tracks attendance, investigates barriers, provides incentives, contacts families, and makes referrals as needed. 

Literacy and math achievement 

Data show improvement over the last year, but third, sixth, and tenth graders are not on track to meet Ohio state testing proficiency goals for 2024-2025. Of third graders, 48.5 percent are on track to be proficient or higher. For sixth grade, 50.8 percent are projected to be proficient. For tenth grade, 54.3 percent are projected to be proficient. Similar trends exist in the math data. For third graders, 47 percent are projected to be proficient in math. For sixth grade, 37.1 percent are projected to be proficient. Of tenth graders, 34.2 percent are projected to be proficient in algebra 1. Introduction of a new math curriculum may partially account for the lower scores, and in January 2025, a benchmark assessment was performed to provide these data.

For action steps, ongoing professional learning is provided for teachers, coaches and principals that connect assessments to instructional practices, pacing guides, model lessons, and routines.

Seventy teachers participated in the Clarity for Learning program. Student-centered coaching also provides observations of both teachers and coaches to improve student outcomes. 

For school improvement, principal evaluations are being conducted using the Ohio Principal Evaluation System.

Graduation rates

Of 410 seniors, 338 (82 percent) have the credits to graduate in May 2025. Multiple programs are in place to increase the number of students who will be able to graduate, including credit recovery, Toward a Skillful and Successful Empowered Life after-school program, R.I.S.E. (Reunite, Inspire, Support, Excel), credit projects, additional testing, career readiness, apprenticeships, state-issued licensures, work-based learning, College Credit Plus, and the Career Technical Education program, all of which can provide credit and other requirements for graduation.

LWV observer: Paula Goodwin

Documents for all board meetings can be accessed from the Board of Education webpage: www.chuh.org/BoardofEducation.aspx. Go to “BoardDocs” in the menu; on BoardDocs go to “MEETINGS” in the top menu; click on “Agenda.” Board meetings are livestreamed on the district’s YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/CHUHSchools) and recorded for later viewing.