The informal session of the Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools Board of Education last week was striking for two reasons: the more relaxed and convivial nature with new Superintendent Denise Watts at the helm and the deep dive into the district’s 2022-2023 results on the Georgia Milestones Assessment.
The SCCPSS Data and Accountability team’s extensive report, presented by the department’s executive director, Laura May, Ph.D., showcased performance improvement across most data fields. Percentage point increases year-over-year varied across grade levels 3-8 and within the high school content areas. During the session, Watts expressed that she wants parents to better understand what GMAS is, how it measures student performance and what grades or subject areas it covers. She stated a new multi-pronged communications strategy around GMAS scores will be implemented this coming year — a first that will help both parents and teachers know exactly where their students struggle and need additional support.
On the heels of the in-depth School Board meetings, held Aug. 9, Watts led a GMAS press briefing at SCCPSS Central Office the following morning. She cited improvements in content mastery achievement among all four content areas – Reading, English Language Arts, Math and Science – for both elementary and middle grades. Watts also noted the greatest increases occurred in math and science as well as high school English language arts, science and social studies, but there were declines in Algebra I.
Watts shared, “We did see an 11-point gain among our third graders as it relates to their reading. Fifteen schools in the county achieved double-digit gains in third grade reading. [That gain] is a testament to our parents, our students, our teachers, our school leaders and our district office demonstrating that ‘Together-We-Can’ mentality.”
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'Proud, not satisfied'
Across all grades and content areas, SCCPSS outperformed its comparison districts (7 to 8 districts across the state that are deemed demographically similar to SCCPSS). However, SCCPSS fell below the overall state averages in all grades and content areas.
“We have a lot to be proud of,” said Watts. “We also have work to do in this district.”
The accountability team’s director May was also present to discuss more about how SCCPSS interprets the GMAS data and provides this insight to Academic Affairs, which then focuses its efforts on strategies for support to schools and teachers.
Deputy Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Bernadette Ball-Oliver was on hand at the press briefing. She mentioned that her team is looking at “full implementation of the 12 new Georgia mathematics standards,” especially in the high schools which have been struggling.
Ball-Oliver also offered insight into the new literacy strategy that aligns with meeting requirements laid out by GA HB538 (The Georgia Early Literacy Act), passed during the 2023 legislative session. Part of the literacy initiative involves hiring Literacy Specialists. The district has filled two of the literacy specialists role. Ball-Oliver indicated that she is seeking to hire more and start teacher literacy instruction training at the elementary level in October. In summation of the district’s efforts, she said, “We're proud, but we're not satisfied.”
When Watts was asked when the district would be satisfied regarding student performance, she said, “When 100% of our kids are able to leave our school system and live a choice-filled life.
Look ahead to 2023-24 Assessments
Parents who are new to the district or whose students entered third grade this past week should review the SCCPSS District Assessment Calendar to know when testing will occur. Parents should connect with teachers to develop best practices for assessment preparation as well as how to review the GMAS results when they are released.
Other highlights of SCCPSS board meeting
Watts welcomed the Professional Senate Members: Raegan Dillon of STEM Academy at Barlett Middle School, who was named Teacher of the Year, and Moses McNeil of Hubert Middle School, Instructional Support Professional of the Year.
Watts’ report shared the following:
- On July 20, SCCPSS welcomed 368 new educators at its System Orientation for Incoming Educators (SOFIE)
- More than 1,000 teachers participated in the district’s first locally organized Teaching and Learning Conference on July 25 and 26 at New Hampstead and Johnson high schools.
- Hodge Elementary, The School of Humanities at Juliette Gordon Low Elementary, and The School of Liberal Studies at Savannah High schools were recognized at the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders Conference in July as “Advancing Achievement” schools that have made improvements necessary to exit Georgia Department of Education's list of schools in need of support and improvement
- SCCPSS saw 36,400 active and pending student records on day one of school, Aug.3.
- Transportation team routed 20,101 students on day one, an increase of 628 students over last year.
- A new Little Acorn Academy class started at Henderson E. Formey Early Learning Center with 22 enrolled students.
Aside from some routine School Board business matters, concerns were brought up by families of students at New Hampstead High School’s ongoing athletic complex issues. Some individuals expressed that the delays at New Hampstead have caused undue strain on students and families as football season gets underway. Due to construction delays, New Hampstead High School teams do not currently have a home facility at which to play or train.
Concerns also were cited about the lack of movement in completing New Hampstead’s athletic complex amid bthe oard’s approval of additional funds for the Island’s High School athletic stadium expansion. Chief Operations Officer Vanessa Miller-Kaigler assured the public that the funds for New Hampstead remain intact and that more accommodating alternatives to practice and play field options were being explored. She said the New Hampstead funds are not being reallocated to any other projects. She also indicated that, to ensure the safety of the student athletes, SCCPSS would not move forward with building a new facility on the land until they received results from an outside vendor that confirms viability of the soil at New Hampstead.
The more you know
SCCPSS Board of Education meetings are held the first Wednesday of each month and are open to the public. The informal meetings are held at 11 a.m., and the regular meetings where public comments are taken are held at 2 p.m. Parents and groups who have concerns or wish to speak before the board are encouraged to attend meetings throughout the year. All meetings will be held at the Whitney Administrative Complex, 2 Laura Ave.
