The Columbus City School District Board of Education meeting on November 28, 2023, focused on enhancing mathematics proficiency, particularly for seventh-grade students. The district presented a new proposal aimed at increasing the percentage of seventh graders proficient in math from 14.7% in the 2022-2023 school year to 23.45% by June 2028. This ambitious goal represents an expected average gain of 1.75 percentage points per year.

During the meeting, officials highlighted the ongoing challenges in math achievement, noting that less than half of seventh graders statewide are currently performing at grade level. The data presented showed that while Columbus City Schools have made some progress, they still lag behind other large districts and the state average. The meeting underscored the importance of continuous improvement in math skills, which are essential for students' future success in high school and beyond.

Dr. Brown, who led the discussion, emphasized the need for a focused approach to math education, particularly in light of the pandemic's impact on learning. He pointed out that consistent gains in math proficiency are rare across Ohio's largest school systems, with only a small percentage achieving significant improvements year after year.

In addition to the math proficiency goals, the district also discussed plans to improve graduation rates. The goal is to increase the four-year graduation cohort rate from 78.2% in August 2023 to 83.2% by August 2028, representing an average gain of 1 percentage point per year. This target is seen as a critical step toward closing the achievement gap with the state average.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to invest in professional development for math educators and to streamline the curriculum to better support student learning. The district aims to collaborate with various educational partners to enhance math instruction and ensure that students are well-prepared for future academic challenges.