Student Achievement
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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…
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The #1 Job of a School Board is…
This post was originally published as a newsletter sent on March 20th, 2025. You can subscribe HERE. Happy (early) spring break to all those who celebrate. According to the Michigan Association of School Boards, the primary function of a board of education “is to oversee the education of students in the community.” Big thanks to…
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Please keep showing up for all of our kids
This was originally published in my once-in-awhile newsletter. Quick thanks to many of you for writing/speaking in support of school board candidates who stood for a more inclusive, equitable, and compassionate district. While the candidate I voted for wasn’t selected, it was heartwarming to read/listen to many who care about helping all of our kids…
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TCAPS Graduation Rates On The Rise
“In today’s world, if you don’t have a high school diploma, it’s just awfully hard to get ahead and not live in poverty,” Traverse City Area Public Schools Superintendent John VanWagoner said. Our recent graduation rates*: * 4-year graduation rates **Graduation rate for our economically disadvantaged students in 2022/23 = 68%. In 2023/24 = 74%…
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Escape the Rainforest: Long Lake Elementary Builds Community and Boosts Learning
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, Behind The Bell offers an inside look…
TY FOR TCAPS 