Student Achievement
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5 New Strategic Plan Goals for TCAPS
Save the date: The next strategic plan meeting will be on August 11th – and another one will be on August 25th. And you can subscribe to have school board meeting agendas and packets emailed to you once they’re published HERE. *Story by Kathryn in the June 16th Record-Eagle Cute photo of Mrs. Helman and some…
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Happy, Healthy, Ready-to-Learn in Traverse City—Safe Routes to Student Success
Building schools for happy, healthy, ready-to-learn kids—not car line and parking convenience—isn’t just about walking or biking or exercise. It’s a proven way to support the goals just outlined in our new strategic plan: • Student Achievement • Health and Safety • Student Behavior • Student and Staff Wellbeing As we invest millions this summer…
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Envisioning Equity: A New Narrative on Assessment in Education
New from The FrameWorks Institute (where I was fortunate to learn, thanks to a Rotary Charities of Traverse City Changemaker Fellowship): “Envisioning Equity” offers 6 powerful shifts to reframe how we discuss assessment and equity in education. Education = a shared responsibility Equity = a societal good Assessment = a tool for justice Key recommendations:…
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Mississippi’s Reading Miracle: A Lesson for Michigan?
Between 2013 and 2024, reading scores for the lowest-performing students dropped significantly across 40+ states — but one state defied the trend: Mississippi. Despite being the poorest state in the country, Mississippi’s literacy gains—especially among Black and low-income students—are now leading the nation. How? They didn’t just tweak policy. They invested in literacy coaches, screened…
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A Community for Student Success: Building a Districtwide Tutoring Network
If equity becomes a pillar (and closing our student achievement gap becomes a priority) of our next strategic plan, what could/should a district-wide Student Success Network look like? One idea: a robust team of trained, intentional tutors to help level the playing field like this Math Club crew at Traverse Heights Elementary. They have been…
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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…
TY FOR TCAPS 