Austin Packer Bulletin - 08/30/24

Sincerely,

Dr. Joey Page, Superintendent

Austin Public Schools has completed its analysis of the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) results for the 2024 academic year, identifying both areas of progress and those requiring improvement. As the District continues to work to improve student achievement, key efforts are focused on enhancing math and reading proficiency, implementing recommendations from recent evaluations of English Language Learner (ELL) and Special Education (SPED) programs, and preparing for the next steps of our district-wide Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) systems.

Top Takeaways:

• Mathematics Performance: Results show a 26.6% overall proficiency rate in mathematics, with gains noted in Grade 6, where proficiency increased by 8.7%, bringing the proficiency rate in that grade to 27.9%. Grade 3 maintained a higher proficiency rate at 42.5%, demonstrating the strength of early interventions. Slight declines were noted in Grades 4,5, and 11, highlighting the need for additional support in these areas.
• Non-white students, those receiving free or reduced lunch, and English Learner students all reached their highest proficiency rates in four years.

• Reading Achievement and MN Read Act Alignment: Reading proficiency of 33.7% shows some areas for growth, with the District particularly focused on boosting literacy across grade levels as mandated by the MN Read Act (The Act). The District is laying the groundwork for extensive professional development to equip educators with the latest evidence-based strategies to increase reading proficiency rates.
• Before the pandemic, projections suggested possible decreases in proficiency, with performance ranges outlined for each year. Reading scores have stayed within those 2019 projections.

Focused Areas of Improvement:

• Professional Development for MN Read Act: The Minnesota Reading to Ensure Academic Development Act, known as the READ Act, became a state law in May 2023. This legislation aims to have every Minnesota child reading at or above grade level every year, beginning in kindergarten, and to support multilingual learners and students receiving special education services in achieving their individualized reading goals to meet grade-level proficiency.
• In alignment with The Act, the District is investing in comprehensive professional development for teachers. This initiative will focus on evidence-based literacy instruction to increase reading proficiency rates across all grades. Dr. Katie Baskin, Executive Director of Academics and Administrative Services, shared that nearly 30 staff have completed the initial training phase, with plans to have over 210 trained by the end of the current academic year. MDE approves the training programs and will provide teachers with literacy skills and research to improve literacy instruction.

• Expected Outcomes of the MN Read Act:
• Improved Reading Instruction: Through ongoing professional development, more than 200 teachers at APS will be better equipped with the tools needed for effective literacy instruction, leading to stronger reading outcomes.
• Early Identification and Support: The Act will guide effective tier 1 instruction for all learners and help identify struggling readers early, enabling timely interventions and personalized support plans that address specific student needs. This is expected to reduce the number of students falling behind within the next two years.
• Enhanced Parental Involvement: Increased communication with parents/caregivers will foster a stronger home-school connection, supporting students' reading development.
• Greater Accountability and Data-Driven Decisions: The District will use data collected under The Act to make informed decisions, ensuring continuous improvement and accountability for reading outcomes. The goal is to see improvement in overall literacy scores district-wide over the next two years.
• Long-Term Academic and Social Benefits: By improving reading proficiency, students will be better prepared for future academic challenges, supporting overall academic success and lifelong learning skills.
• Grading and Reporting: On June 10, 2024, the school board approved new Grading and Reporting procedures for APS. The adjustments to grading practices for 2024-25 in APS are a culmination of the work of several dedicated stakeholders who studied the District's current practices and made recommendations for improvement. This process consisted of a review of the current context, 5-12 staff surveys in 2022-23, and collaboration of the student and staff grading and reporting committees in 2023-24.
• Implementation of Audit Recommendations: Following recent audits of the District's ELL and SPED programs, the District is actively working to implement key program recommendations. For instance, data from the audit indicated that 6.7% of ELL and 16.1% of Special Education students are reading at or above grade level based on 2024 MN Assessments, underscoring the urgent need for targeted interventions to close these gaps. Executive Director of Special Services Sheri Willrodt indicated that, due to the SPED audit, the District is engaging in strategic planning focused on more inclusive programming for students with disabilities.

• Math Audit: We are actively aligning grade-level math assessments to academic standards across K-12 and implementing best practice strategies in classroom instruction.
• Second Year of MTSS Implementation: In the second year of MTSS implementation, the District will refine this support system to address the diverse needs of students more effectively. All buildings now have a common teaming structure for reviewing data and supporting students who need targeted interventions.

Superintendent Page stated, "We have seen progress in some areas as we continue to recover ground lost during the pandemic. However, it's clear that we must enhance our efforts to improve student outcomes. Our performance gaps indicate that we must strengthen and expand our current strategies, including focusing on MTSS and implementing the MN Read Act. We believe these efforts are crucial to ensure every student can excel."

Austin Public Schools is excited to welcome Dr. Raymond Diaz as the new assistant principal at Austin High School.

Dr. Diaz has worked in education for more than 20 years, both in the classroom and leadership positions. With a wealth of experience in instructional leadership, Dr. Diaz is “committed to fostering an inclusive work environment where all stakeholders receive exceptional service, support, and guidance to achieve their goals.”

Dr. Diaz earned a Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instructional Leadership from Argosy University and holds a Master of Education from Troy University.

“Throughout my 24-year career in education,” says Dr. Diaz, “I have demonstrated a keen ability to enhance instructional programs and manage school-wide operations effectively. I look forward to working with the staff at Austin High School to help foster an environment of success for all students.”

“We are pleased to welcome Raymond Diaz as Austin High School’s new assistant principal,” says Austin High School principal Matt Schmit. “With nearly 25 years of educational experience, Raymond is a student-focused leader passionate about promoting equity and inclusion. He has a proven track record of setting high expectations for himself and others, ensuring a culture of excellence and growth, including his role in starting the Eden Prairie online school. Raymond’s energy, positivity, experience, and solution-focused approach make him an ideal addition to our team, and we look forward to the positive impact he will have on our school.”

Dr. Diaz will be taking over for outgoing AHS assistant principal Kim Goblirsch, who will be moving to the position of Academic Coordinator at Austin High School.

Well-being is the positive sense of self and belonging when our cognitive, emotional, social, and physical needs are met. Well-being in the early years and the school setting is about helping children and students become resilient and self-aware to make positive and healthy choices to support their learning and achievement both now and in the future.

We have a Well-Being website for our staff, parents/guardians, and school community to provide information and connections regarding students' academic, social, emotional, and behavioral well-being. The following resources give an overview of student well-being and outline our school processes for accessing support within the district and from the various community agencies that can provide additional support. On this site, you can find a list of trained school staff ready to help plan for your student's well-being and support resources for staff.

Well-being for students and staff is a part of a high-quality education that supports academic performance, school climate, and other important developmental outcomes and core values. In partnership with families and the school communities we serve, we set priorities based on their local stakeholders' feedback to provide a foundational focus for students as they progress through their educational journey.

Inviting community members to get involved with the school district, we welcome you to join our committees or observe our meetings, which are open to the public. Below, you'll find various ways to engage and continuously provide feedback through committees tailored to your areas of interest or expertise.

• Facilities Committee
  The purpose of the Facilities Committee is to participate in general facilities planning for Austin Public Schools. To maintain the high standards the Austin School Board sets, the committee will focus on ways to enhance available resources to achieve our district's strategic priorities. Learn more here.
• Finance Committee
  The Finance Committee meets to discuss school finance issues. Learn more here.
• Technology Committee
  The goal of the Technology Committee is to ensure that all district technology infrastructure, software, and hardware align with District Strategic Priorities. It is an advisory team that guides decision-making around student technology access, learning tools, and safety. This group comprises staff, students, and community members and meets once per month. Learn more here.
• Wellness Committee
  The Wellness Committee consists of staff and community members who work to promote healthy practices throughout the district. Learn more here.
• Comprehensive Achievement and Civic Readiness The Comprehensive Achievement and Civic Readiness Committee was established by Minnesota law to provide parents and community members with involvement and input regarding school programs and curricular offerings. The committee comprises parents, community members, staff, teachers, administrators, and school board members. Meetings are held every other month from 4 – 5:30 pm in the AHS Conference Room A. Learn more here.
• Packer Profile Committee
  The Packer Profile Committee consists of community stakeholders who will offer feedback, design ideas, and vision to APS staff in developing the Packer Profile throughout the PK-12 system. The goal is to strengthen partnerships within the community and optimize stakeholder input to continue to align profile elements for all students. Contact Dr. Katie Baskin for more information on meetings. Meeting Schedule for 2024-25: 3rd Tuesday 4-5 pm on September 17, January 21, April 15

A huge congratulations to Austin's 2024 @CollegeBoard National Recognition Program awardees! Three different students from Austin High School earned recognition for their academic excellence this year.

National Rural and Small Town Award (NRSTA) Recipients:

• Amber Forsythe
• Liam Mayers
• Claudia McDonald

Over 1.3 million juniors in about 21,000 high schools entered the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2023 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The semifinalist pool represents less than one percent of US high school seniors and includes the highest scoring entrants in each state.

Austin Public Schools strives to address your questions and concerns quickly and effectively. Therefore, we have developed communication protocols to promote direct, open, and respectful interactions to resolve problems and concerns efficiently. Please visit our Report A Concern webpage to review our communication protocol.

Great things are happening at Austin Public Schools!

With a wide range of partnerships and programs to benefit our students, staff, and the community, our #PackerPride shines through in all we do. Thank you for all the support, and check out our Points of Pride!

In 2022, the United States transitioned to the new three-digit dialing code 988 to reach crisis support. The change is part of a nationwide effort to transition the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (the Lifeline) to a phone number people can more easily remember and access in times of crisis. The shift also includes an online chat feature and a new texting option.

The new 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline code will serve as a universal entry point so people can reach a trained crisis counselor who can help regardless of where they live. Anyone can dial or text 988 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to reach crisis support or to use an online chat feature to connect with crisis support. People can dial 988 if worried about a loved one needing crisis support.

For more information, visit Mental Health and Well-being.

Austin High and Ellis Middle School are partnering with the BARR Center to increase student success. BARR (Building Assets, Reducing Risks) is a strength-based educational model originally created to help students manage the transition to high school. This school improvement model is being implemented in grades 7-9 this school year, with plans to expand further in 2025-2026. The two fundamental pillars of BARR are (1) creating positive, intentional relationships and (2) using real-time student data in collaborative problem-solving settings to guide instructional action. BARR is grounded in science-based research, has been evaluated, and has consistently demonstrated positive results.

Learn more here and here.

As of August 1, 2023, all public-school students in the State of Minnesota must receive instruction in safe walking and bicycling skills at the beginning of the school year. MnDOT has frequently asked questions, educational materials, and more to help school sand school districts implement this requirement.

Are you looking for a way to give back to the community and invest in the next generation? If so, we have the perfect opportunity for you!

At Austin Public School, our mission is to Inspire, Empower, and Accelerate as we prepare our learners to make a difference in the world. One of the ways we are working to support this mission is to ensure that all students start the school year off with the supplies they need to be successful.

Your donation will help make a huge difference in our students' lives, and we appreciate your assistance. Please don't hesitate to reach out to us with any questions.

Together, we can build a stronger Austin Public Schools. Learn more here and how to donate.

The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) has developed resources to support schools in navigating the opportunities and challenges associated with generative artificial intelligence (AI). A cross-divisional team at MDE has compiled these materials to provide educators with essential information and guidance on AI in education.

The main AI page contains general information about generative AI. In contrast, the AI in Education page offers guiding principles, highlights opportunities, and challenges, and provides resources and considerations for schools looking to create AI guidance and policies.

Help connect families with food resources in Mower County.

The Hometown Food Security Project released an app that:

• Connects our Mower County neighbors with food support resources.
• Identifies support opportunities for agencies that provide food support services.
• Supported languages include English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Burmese, French, Amharic, Filipino, and Luo.

Questions? Contact one of the co-leads:

• Gema A.: (507) 460-3906
• Molly Lanke: (507) 437-2313

• Schools are competing with cellphones. Here's how they think they could win
• The Art of the Thank-You Note
• Minnesota school test scores are out. Here's what the newest data shows

At Austin Public Schools, our mission is to inspire, empower, and accelerate every one of our learners, and we know that the only way for us to reach this goal is through the efforts of all our incredibly hard-working staff.

In this week’s Staff Spotlight, we’re highlighting Sumner Elementary Special Education teacher Laura Eyre.

"Laura selflessly goes above and beyond for students both in her job and in the community, especially highlighting inclusion, kindness, and love. She would be the last person to recognize her talents, but she deserves to be highlighted for her hard work and dedication to students in and out of the classroom!"

Congratulations!

If you’d like to nominate an outstanding Austin Public Schools staff member for our weekly Staff Spotlight, please take a moment to fill out the form at https://www.austin.k12.mn.us/district-resources/aps-staff-spotlight. It only takes a minute and can truly make someone’s day. Thanks!

Please join me and a School Board member at the Coffee House on Main, 329 Main Street North, for coffee and conversation.

Dates:

• 9/16
• 10/21
• 11/25
• 1/27/25
• 2/24
• 3/31
• 4/30

Time:
7:45 AM - 8:30 AM

You can reach me at joey.page@austin.k12.mn.us or call 507-460-1900 to schedule an appointment.

APS offers a wide range of student activities, including competitive athletics, intramurals, academic clubs, fine arts, and performing arts. View schedules and learn more here.

The school district strongly encourages anyone interested to apply to join our teams. Reasonable accommodations are available to access job openings or apply for a job. Click here to learn more.

You can review previous issues here.

Austin Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity. Individuals may report concerns or questions or make a complaint of sex discrimination to the Title IX Coordinator, Sue Stark.