Student Achievement
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Behind the Bell: TeachMichigan Fellows Thrive at Blair Elementary
Behind The Bell is a monthly storytelling series that takes readers beyond the classroom and into the heart of Traverse City Area Public Schools’ mission, values, vision and strategic goals. Through inspiring profiles, this series highlights the people, programs, and moments that shape our schools and connect our community. From unsung heroes to innovative initiatives,…
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10 years after Courtade Elementary was nationally recognized – an opportunity to do better
️️It’s been 10 years since Courtade Elementary was nationally recognized for closing the student achievement gap between their economically challenged kids and their kids who are not. We now have an opportunity to improve our educational equity on a district scale with things like: •early literacy•math skills•advanced coursework enrollment•graduation rates•career/college readiness Because our kids are…
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My 5 Takeaways from Michigan Association of School Boards’ Spring Institute
Last weekend, I had the opportunity to attend the Michigan Association of School Boards’ (MASB) Spring Institute—a powerful gathering of school board members from across the state. The sessions were packed with inspiration, practical tools, and thoughtful conversations about how we can better serve students, families, and our communities. Here are my five key takeaways:…
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Educational Equity + AI = A Must-Have Conversation.
Aaron Baughman — a self-professed “Title I kid” from Detroit — knocked it out of the park at the Michigan Association of School Boards Spring Institute Conference this past weekend. He made it clear: there’s an equity imperative in AI adoption. Level the playing field – reduce learning disparities Guard against gaps – prevent tech…
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Educational Equity, TCAPS and Carrying on Holly’s Work
Tomorrow, we’ll appoint someone to fill Holly’s seat on the school board. Losing Holly still hurts — she was a fierce champion for marginalized kids, and for advancing equitable access to opportunity and inclusive education throughout our district. Most recently, she helped bring forward a request to form an educational equity ad hoc committee this…
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Equity Is the Antidote: A Call for Courage in Strategic Planning
“Your letter paints equity as a threat. But equity is not the threat. It’s the antidote to decades of failure. Equity is what ensures all students have a fair shot. Equity is what makes it possible for a child with a speech impediment to present at the science fair. It’s what helps the nonverbal kindergartner…
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New Innovation & Manufacturing Centers To Support our Trades Kids and Titan/Trojan Integrated Experience Programs
Behind The Bell is a monthly storytelling series that takes readers beyond the classroom and into the heart of Traverse City Area Public Schools’ mission, values, vision and strategic goals. Through inspiring profiles, this series highlights the people, programs, and moments that shape our schools and connect our community. From unsung heroes to innovative initiatives,…
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TCAPS’ chronic absenteeism and our kids furthest from opportunity
Timely Chalkbeat article ahead of tomorrow’s school board committee meeting on our chronic absenteeism. Here’s the meeting’s presentation. TCAPS’ chronic absenteeism (missing 10% or more of school days): – 2018/19: 16.1% – 2022/23: 22.6% – 2034/24: 20.9% “Poverty is a big factor, affecting parents’ ability to navigate illness, work and get children to school. Districts…
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Equity and student achievement: A shared responsibility
The responsibility must be shared when it comes to student achievement and helping all of our kids succeed. Shared between our schools, teachers, students, families, community members, elected officials, and law/policy makers. We’re lucky to have many community members (people who don’t have kids or grandkids in TCAPS) who consistently show up to tutor, mentor,…
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The number of economically disadvantaged kids in Traverse City isn’t falling
Bridge Michigan recently published this story – “Michigan districts brace for cuts, as number of needy students falls.” The problem is – the title is misleading. The number of economically disadvantaged kids here in Traverse City isn’t falling. But the number of local, low-income families filling out state paperwork is (free school meals—a very good…
TY FOR TCAPS 