Student Achievement – Page 2

Elementary Math: Facing Our Outcomes, Refocusing Our Work

Ty Schmidt

May 2, 2026

We have work to do in elementary math. Our most recent (2025) 4th-grade outcomes* make that clear: • All students: 44% proficient • Economically disadvantaged students: 25% • Non-economically disadvantaged students: 55% What matters is how we respond. I appreciate the Curriculum Committee’s discussion this week, digging into how we’re relaunching/refocusing K–5 math instruction. With…

Board of Education, Community Relations, Curriculum Committee, Equity, Meetings, Opportunity, Priorities, Student Achievement

Stronger Outcomes, Shared Responsibility: A Look at Reading & Math Strategies

Ty Schmidt

April 30, 2026

Grateful for this week’s Curriculum Committee discussion for sharing a clearer “how” behind Goal 1 (math and reading) of our 2030 Vision*. As a school board member, my focus is on our mission/vision/values (our “why”) and our outcomes (our “what” and “how well”) – including improving our reading and math outcomes for all students and,…

Board of Education, Community Relations, Curriculum Committee, Equity, Meetings, Opportunity, Priorities, Reading, Student Achievement

April’s Newsletter

Ty Schmidt

April 14, 2026

April’s newsletter is out: • A new chapter in early literacy – raising outcomes and closing opportunity gaps • Parker’s Story – Finding her voice at Central High School • Curriculum Committee Snapshot: Creativity, Opportunity, and Pathways for All • School board meeting agenda highlights • Where are our future surgical techs? • Back to…

Board of Education, Community Relations, Connection, Curriculum Committee, Equity, Learning, Meetings, Newsletter, Opportunity, Priorities, Reading, Schools, Storytelling, Student Achievement, Student Voice, Wellbeing

Back to Basics: Why One Northern Michigan School Hit Pause on Screens

Ty Schmidt

March 25, 2026

Mesick Consolidated Schools—just down the road from us—are trying something bold to support early literacy: they’ve removed Chromebooks and iPads from their elementary classrooms and are going “back to basics” with books, handwriting, and face-to-face learning. Why? Their leaders are being honest about where things stand. When too many students are not yet reading proficiently,…

Opportunity, Reading, Student Achievement

Virtual Learning Is Growing — But Who Is It Serving?

Ty Schmidt

March 22, 2026

I don’t yet know the percentage of economically disadvantaged students enrolled in our virtual programs. I do know we’ve expanded our virtual program at Traverse City High School and launched a new middle school option at East Middle School – with built-in adult support and check-ins. That’s a positive step. At the same time, our…

Advocacy, Equity, Learning, Opportunity, Priorities, Schools, Student Achievement

From Steadying the Ship to Full Speed Ahead: A New Vision for Early Literacy at TCAPS

Ty Schmidt

March 18, 2026

Our most recent third-grade reading outcomes certainly make clear the work ahead: • All third graders: 49% proficient • Economically disadvantaged third graders: 38% • Not economically disadvantaged third graders: 53% These numbers show why it’s time to move from steadying the ship to full speed ahead. That’s why, for the first time, our district’s…

Board of Education, Equity, Learning, Opportunity, Priorities, Reading, Student Achievement

Growing Readers Together: TCAPS and the Traverse Area District Library

Ty Schmidt

March 13, 2026

Strong readers grow in strong communities. One of the most powerful literacy partnerships we have is with the Traverse Area District Library. During Reading Month, their youth services team works closely with our eleven elementary schools to create meaningful reading experiences for our students. This year, first graders are participating in library orientations, storytime, tours,…

Community Relations, Priorities, Reading, Schools, Student Achievement

Partnership Schools: Surrounding TCAPS Students with Support

Ty Schmidt

March 12, 2026

At our recent Curriculum Committee meeting*, we learned about the “Partnership School” model and explored ways in which trained and vetted community members could provide additional academic tutoring in reading and math—especially for students who need extra practice to build literacy and numeracy fluency. This isn’t about replacing teachers – it’s about surrounding students with…

Board of Education, Community Relations, Curriculum Committee, Equity, Learning, Opportunity, Priorities, Reading, Student Achievement

March’s Newsletter

Ty Schmidt

March 10, 2026

March’s newsletter is out: – Reading month, literacy, opportunity gaps, and a community promise – A turning point: Enrollment is not down for the first time in six years – Curriculum Committee Snapshot: Parent engagement – School board meeting agenda highlights – Mr. Kay goes to the State of the State in Lansing – Compass…

Advocacy, Board of Education, Community Relations, Curriculum Committee, Enrollment, Equity, Learning, Meetings, Newsletter, Opportunity, Priorities, Reading, Schools, Staffing, Student Achievement

TCAPS Curriculum Committee Snapshot: Community, Innovation and Strengthening School–Family Partnerships

Ty Schmidt

March 4, 2026

The TCAPS Curriculum Committee meets to guide and oversee teaching and learning across the district. These meetings bring together school board members, staff, and district leaders to review programs, monitor student progress, and discuss instructional strategies. The Curriculum Committee Snapshot is a new monthly series to help increase awareness and understanding of how this work…

Board of Education, Community Relations, Connection, Curriculum Committee, Equity, Learning, Opportunity, Priorities, Schools, Student Achievement, Wellbeing