Summary: 2/3/22 SB Meeting

The meeting began with many recognitions for various staff in the APS community, Arlington County Heroes, an acknowledgment of Black History Month, and a plug for a new video series on the Historic Halls Hill neighborhood. Consent agenda included the addition of a new Music Appreciation course to the 2022-2023 High School Program of Studies.

Announcement on Test-to-Stay (TTS) policy. Testing in person at Syphax from 2:30-7pm.

Public Comments presented diverse views on masks and continued pleas from transportation workers for better working conditions. Others requested that the Virtual Learning Program (VLP) not be paused and that there must be better communication from APS to both parents and staff. APE speakers commented on the use of close-out funds for learning losses and a request that student assessments from the beginning of the year be released. Once again, Mr. Goldstein left the dais during the two speeches by members of APE.

Monitoring Item; Education Tech Update: Ms. Loft led a presentation on the usage of Lexia and Dreambox in classes, including the number of minutes per calendar day and an update on student improvement. The presentation also touched on the importance of training staff and parents on new technology and explained how Information Technology Coordinators (ITCs) support the schools.

• Mr. Priddy asked for information on how much time kids are spending on devices in total (not just on Lexia and Dreambox). APS staff will look into this data and follow up.

• Ms. Kadera suggested a dashboard that shows the academic recovery of students throughout the year.

Information Items

Strategic Plan: Staff presented considerations for updating APS’ strategic plan, suggesting that it should be updated every 2 years with a 6-year look-out period.

• Mr. Goldstein notes that the strategic plan adopted in 2018 does not have the equity focus that APS has today.

• Ms. Kadera asked how the community can see how APS is performing against the plan.

Policy Revisions. School Board Advisory Committees: APS staff recommends one policy for school board advisory committees, including a standardized chair rotation model, and a Secretary role for all committees. Standardization across committees makes it easier for the community to engage and get involved.

Revision to Policy on Advanced Classes. Policy will be updated to formally allow parents and guardians to override prerequisites of an advanced class. Ms. Loft noted that this is already happening and this policy update codifies the practice.

• Mr. Goldstein expressed concern that some students may not be prepared for advanced classes.

• Ms. Kadera noted that data supports that SPED and students of color have been counseled out of taking advances that require prerequisites and that this policy (enabling parents/guardians to override prerequisites) will empower families to advocate for advanced classes for their child.

• Dr. Kanninien believes this policy change must be made if APS is going to have middle school advanced classes and noted that it’s not enough to just have this policy, but there must be a plan to communicate the change and have dialogue with families.

Virtual Learning Program (VLP): Ms. Graves recommends a pause to the VLP program to allow an opportunity to plan for a comprehensive program. The VLP principal will lead a task force to develop a new virtual program and APS-contracted eligible staff will be assigned to vacancies in brick-and-mortar schools. Students with medical conditions or who live with someone with medical complications will be able to apply for an exemption to returning to in-person instruction and will have access to an online provider as well as APS support.

• Ms. Kadera asked, on behalf of VLP families, for the rationale to end VLP if it is finally in a good place. Ms. Graves responded that the program has stabilized but still needs a lot of work and the kids deserve a better program, noting that a number of students are still interacting with third-party providers across programs. Finally, it was noted that it would create major difficulties to run the current program while trying to plan for a new program.

• The board will VOTE on this item at the next school board meeting.

See our Scorecard for this meeting here.