Quincy Reporter

Community Consolidated School District 181 Board of Education met Sept. 5.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Call to Order

The Academic Success Committee meeting of the Board of Education of Community Consolidated School District 181, DuPage and Cook Counties, Illinois, was called to order by Grace Shin, Board Member, and Committee Chair, at noon on September 5, 2024.

On roll call, the following members were present: William Cotter and Grace Shin.

Dr. Kathy Robinson, Kristin Reingruber, Erica Ekstrom, Jessica Schultz, Jake Wertz, Sara Clary, Chaidan Leshinski, and Recording Secretary Jean Duggan were also present.

Pledge of Allegiance

Grace Shin led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Approval of Minutes

Grace Shin made a motion to approve the minutes from the June 17, 2024, Academic Success Committee meeting. Bill Cotter seconded the motion. All in favor, the motion carried.

Public Comment

No public comment.

Discussion Topics

Summer Programs Review 2024

Dr. Kathleen Robinson, Assistant Superintendent of Learning, shared that the District hosted five summer programs: Summer Learning, Bridge Math Program, Time to Shine, Extended School Year, and Math Camp. The summer programs were held from June 6-28, 2024, at Prospect School and Clarendon Hills Middle School. She thanked both buildings' principals and custodial staff for using their space and support during the programs. She proudly announced that the summer school enrollment in 2024 was 1,001 students, with 92 courses taught by 121 staff members.

Dr. Robinson introduced Ms. Jessica Schultz, the Summer Learning program principal. Dr. Robinson said, based on feedback from students, parents, and staff, the following changes were made to the programs:

● Adjusted start time for middle schoolers in Math Bridge to a later start

● Added two extra days for Bridge to accommodate the rigorous amount of content ● Staggered program start times to minimize traffic congestion

● Teachers provided email updates on what happened in the classroom

Ms. Schultz provided the following updates on the five summer programs:

Summer Learning Program (SLP)

The SLP provides a variety of activities designed to address the needs of all learners and provide extension and enrichment opportunities for students.

Many courses offered were interest-based enrichment classes that students self-select, and some courses were targeted as remedial opportunities for instruction in core subjects.

Summer Math Bridge (MB)

Summer Bridge is offered as part of the placement criteria for qualifying students entering grades 3-8. It is a fee-based program for students who have met the advanced or accelerated math placement criteria. The program offers identified students an opportunity to be placed into the advanced or accelerated trajectory. Courses are designed to expose students to the standards required for success at the next placement level. Summer Bridge classes include live instruction, small group sessions, independent practice, games, homework, and assessment. She noted that all Bridge courses are mandatory and have the option of virtual learning.

Extended School Year (ESY)

It is assumed that special education students will continue to be eligible for ESY services, per the recommendation of their IEP team, on an individual basis. Students received reading and/or math support from special education teachers and instructional assistants. Daily in-person sessions were held Monday - Friday in 2-hour am and pm. ESY sessions had an academic focus (Reading and/or Math) based on the student's IEP. Incorporation of related services every week occurred based on the student's IEP.

Title I Time to Shine (TtS)

Ms. Reingruber, Director of Assessment, thanked Ms. Schultz for leading the Summer Learning Program. She then shared that the TtS program is a balanced literacy program designed to maintain and improve the reading skills of elementary-age students while promoting a love of literacy.

Math Camp

Ms. Reingruber shared that Math Camp, which is grant-funded, provides a jumpstart for students who need remedial support before the 2024-25 school year starts. IEP, EL, or Tier II/III students who are eligible attend math camp. The camp helps students boost their confidence in math and develop enjoyment of math and problem-solving as essential academic skills.

Dr. Robinson shared that the following dates for 2025:

● Summer Math Bridge - June 5-27, 2025

● Summer Learning - June 9-27, 2025

Summer Math Bridge Review 2024

Ms. Reingruber reviewed the math bridge program enrollment and assessment results from the summer of 2024. She said that summer Math Bridge courses are developed for students in grades 3-8 who are recommended to accelerate their math pathway within District 181 based on approved placement criteria. Each course provides in-depth instruction, practice, and assessment for standards needed to bridge to an advanced or accelerated math pathway. Summer Bridge courses were taught in person with a virtual option. In addition to in-person and virtual, Bridge A and 5A had a third option to complete a Bridge packer. All students enrolled in Bridge courses are required to take the (in-person) end-of-bridge assessment and pass with an 80% or higher.

Bridge Results

Ms. Reingruber shared that a summary of overall class average scores indicates that students are exiting the Bridge program with a score of 88% or higher, which is above the target score of 80% which indicates preparedness for the next level of content.

Curriculum and Professional Learning Highlights 2024

Dr. Robinson shared the Curricular Highlights for 2024-2025

● Curriculum Resource Implementation

○ Elementary Science - Mystery Science Grades K-5

○ Middle School Science - Elevate Science Grades 6-8

● District Resource Pilots

○ Elementary Social Studies - Grades K-5

■ InquirED Inquiry Journeys

■ TCI

○ Middle School Social Studies - Grades 6-8

■ Cengage National Geographic Learning

■ TCI

● Social Emotional Learning Focus

○ Lesson Enhancement - Grades K-8

○ Satchel Pulse Screener - Grades K-8

● Illinois State Literacy Plan - Review of state-approved plan and evaluation of teaching practices ○ Elementary Resource review with pilot for 2025-2026

○ Middle School Core Resource - additional training in Actively Learn

Dr. Robinson shared information about the Rising Stars and Kindergarten Programs:

● Rising Stars - classrooms are located at Elm (am/pm), Madison (am), Monroe (am/pm), Prospect (am/pm), and The Lane (pm)

● There are four full-time teachers in the program.

● 77 students are enrolled in the Rising Stars program

● Six families declined enrollment

● 2024-2025 will be the last year of Rising Stars with full-day kindergarten being offered in the fall of 2025

● Full-day kindergarten planning began in 2023 and will continue through 2025. The team works on instructional minutes, schedules, curricular changes and enhancements, and a review of current resources used in both kindergarten and Rising Stars.

● The full-day kindergarten program will promote the academic excellence and social-emotional well being of students.

● Foundational skills will be developed and strengthened in literacy numeracy, science, social science, technology, fine arts, as well as gross and fine motor skills.

Dr. Robinson then shared the Professional Development Learning Opportunities that occurred during the summer of 2024.

Summer Workshops, Conferences, Courses 2024

● She thanked the D181 Foundation for funding the summer learning opportunities for staff with their donation of $7,750

● 26 Teachers were approved for summer courses (13 different courses were offered)

Administrator Professional Development Learning

● District Office and building administrator training

○ Danielson Framework for Teaching

○ Update version of professional practice domains used for certified staff evaluation in 25-26

New Staff Induction 2024

● D181 welcomed 15 new staff members on August 9, 12, and 13 at the D181 New Staff Induction and Development days

August Staff Professional Development Days 2024

● All D181 certified staff participated in 10 hours of learning on August 14 and 15

Artificial Intelligence Standards & Ethics for Staff

Dr. Robinson shared information on the professional development opportunities that were offered to staff related to artificial intelligence as well as the acceptable use standards for staff usage of AI tools.

She said that the professional learning opportunities began for staff in the fall of 2023 and will continue through 2025. Staff participated in early learning sessions to:

● Deepen their understanding of artificial intelligence

● Better understanding the emerging technology that is rapidly changing

● Understand various types of AI and identify what types they currently use in daily life

● Talk about the role of AI in schools

● Identify benefits of usage and potential risks

● Commit to acceptable usage and ethics guidelines

Dr. Robinson said that AI refers to the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, allowing them to perform tasks that typically require cognitive functions. AI systems can analyze data, learn from it, and make decisions or perform actions based on that data.

They explored several types of AI including generative, predictive, and reactive.

Generative AI:

● AI technology that can generate new content, including text, images, audio, and video, based on training data,

Predictive AI:

● AI technology, also known as predictive analytics, focuses on using historical data and machine learning algorithms to analyze patterns and make predictions about future trends or events.

Reactive AI:

● AI technology also known as reactive machines, responds to specific input and generates an output. There is no learning in the process. The same input will yield the same output without changing.

AI in Schools

Dr. Robinson shared that AI has the potential to impact how students will engage with educational tools. AI has the potential to enhance teaching and learning in schools. She highlighted that D181 is committed to facilitating the responsible and effective use of AI tools within the schools. Potential uses she identified are to develop personalized learning experiences for students, to enhance instruction and classroom-based activities, and lastly to spark creativity and innovation. The potential challenges are privacy and data protection, accuracy of information or bias, and academic integrity and ethical usage.

Acceptable Use Standards & Ethics

Dr. Robinson shared that the Department of Learning and Technology leadership developed an Acceptable Use Standards Addendum in the summer of 2024. The AUP addendum was shared with all staff through a professional development session.

She noted that this is for staff only, All AI for students is blocked. Dr. Robinson said she is working with the librarians to help teach fifth grader students and older when it is appropriate to use AI and when it isn’t appropriate to use AI

District-level Committee Updates:

The Department of Learning updated the committee on the District-level Committee meetings.

Adjournment

Grace Shin made a motion to adjourn at 1:40 p.m. William Cotter seconded the motion. All in favor. The motion carried.

https://go.boarddocs.com/il/hccsdil/Board.nsf/files/D9TLDY560F11/$file/2024_09_05_ASC_Minutes.pdf