Board President Remarks
- Board of Education President Jeff Kopolow announced that the Ladue Novice Individual Speech and Debate Tournament will be held on Friday at 4 p.m. at Ladue Horton Watkins High School. He encouraged everyone to attend this event where the competition is as "fierce as any athletic competition."
- Superintendent Dr. Donna Jahnke recognized the district's staff members who are also veterans, thanking them for their service to our country. These staff members include: Roy Hagan, Hank Harrison, Rose Henke, Cindy Stevenson, Robert Snidman and J.B. Tate. Board of Education Vice President Stacy Washington also served in the Air Force. Veteran's Day activities occurred throughout the district today, commemorating the many military men and women who bravely serve our country.
Missouri Learning Standard Update. Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Laura Brock updated the Board on the Missouri Learning Standards (what Missouri is calling the Common Core State Standards) and how they are being embedded into the curriculum already in place for the Ladue School District.
The presentation began with three district teachers demonstrating how the Missouri Learning Standards are placing more emphasis than previous state requirements on the application of knowledge as opposed to the content itself.
- Carolyn Parham, Second-Grade Teacher at Conway Elementary School, presented a lesson on poetry and the techniques used to teach students about alliteration, repeated lines, rhyming and rhythm.
- Laila Crabtree, Sixth-Grade Social Studies Teacher and Department Chair, explained how important strong reading and writing skills are to successfully meeting the Missouri Learning Standards in social studies which require text-based question answering, informational writing and writing from sources.
- Matt Strayhorn, Seventh-Grade Algebra Teacher, explained how he is using the "flipped" classroom concept to use time more effectively in his classroom. As homework, students watch Mr. Strayhorn teach the lesson on video, leaving class time available for students to work in groups and for him to work individually with students struggling with specific concepts.
MSIP 5. Dr. Brock reviewed the district's Annual Performance Report, noting the district had an overall rating of 98.9%. The district achieved 100% of points possible in the areas of Academic Achievement, College and Career Readiness, Attendance and Graduation Rate. The district received 89.3% of points possible in Subgroup Achievement, with 75% scores in English Language Arts and Social Studies, and 100% scores in Mathematics and Science. Dr. Brock explained the district will be looking closely at the disaggregated results to determine how best to improve results in the underperforming student groups.
Tentative Agenda Items for the Board's Business Meeting on November 25, 2013:
ACTION
- Acceptance of Auditor's Report
- Proposed High School Course/Program/Procedure Changes
- 2014-15 LECC Tuition
- 2013-14 Revised Budget
- Board Policy Changes
