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The ISD 197 School Board heard updates on college and career readiness targets and two committees, as well as recognized multiple student achievements.
College and Career Readiness Update
Staff gave an update on implementation targets for college and career readiness. Among the accomplishments:
- Work experience: Currently 10 students are enrolled in a work-based learning program that’s effectively on-the-job training. Next year 50 students are enrolled in the program.
- Tutoring: Student-led tutoring has proven to be an effective way to improve outcomes for underrepresented students.
- Career pathways: With the middle school schedule change, elective choices have ballooned from six to 19, giving students an opportunity to explore different career and technical options. Student voice has been especially helpful, including a panel on language offerings and student videos to help with middle school elective choices.
- Rigorous courses: In offering challenging courses that offer college credit, the district is working to expand classes (currently 34 offered) while addressing potential achievement gaps. The data does show gaps, but they’re not as extreme as other areas.
Other Items on the Agenda
- Committee updates: Both the Curriculum Advisory Committee and the Gifted and Talented Advisory Committee offered updates. The groups have reviewed some of the major initiatives, as well as ensuring the district is meeting new state requirements around anti-racist and inclusive strategies (which the district was largely already doing). Student input, especially through the Student Advisory Committee, has been especially valuable. The district hopes to do something similar in the middle schools.
- Student recognition: Several groups of students were recognized, including winter sports that had teams or individuals advancing to state tournaments, including wrestling, gymnastics, swimming, and dance; the Two Rivers musical Big Fish earned several awards from Hennepin Theater Trust; and three speech and debate students earned Academic All-American honors.
Engage
- More: Agendas and minutes for ISD 197 School Board meetings are available online.
- Watch: You can watch this meeting online.
Coverage of ISD 197 School Board meetings happens thanks to the support of our members and our successful member drive.
