Superintendent says district on track to improve most partnership schools; four remain off track at midyear

Superintendent Dr. Beatty told the academic committee that Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) has 24 schools in a state “partnership agreement” and that 20 of those schools were judged "on track" at the 18‑month benchmark review while four were off track based on midyear data.

The partnership agreement is Michigan’s process for districts with identified low‑performing schools under the Every Student Succeeds Act; the state requires a three‑year plan for identified districts and schools. "None of these schools right now [are] on our path to close," Dr. Beatty said, noting that the district has had 35 schools exit partnership status in recent years.

The update described how schools enter and exit partnership status — identification largely based on M‑STEP proficiency, growth measures, and a 67 percent graduation rate threshold for high schools — and emphasized that exit requires consecutive improvement in proficiency and graduation metrics. Dr. Beatty said the Michigan Department of Education reviewed district data in the 18‑month checkpoint and "officially said that the district on the whole is on track for these schools to improve."

On graduation rates, Dr. Beatty reported a districtwide four‑year‑cohort rate of 78.1 percent across 24 high schools, an improvement that narrows the gap with the statewide average (about 82 percent). He said the district has recovered from earlier distortions in its graduation statistics caused by historical changes in enrollment and governance (references to EAA and prior transitions) and that course recovery, targeted counseling and expanded SAT/PSAT supports are major drivers of recent gains.

Board members pressed for detail about the four schools flagged as off track at midyear. Committee members asked what targeted resources, outside expertise, and accountability measures would be used to accelerate improvement before end‑of‑year summative data. Dr. Beatty said the district deploys district staff, retired principals and external instructional reviewers for school walkthroughs and professional development, increases course recovery (including paid teacher time for day, after‑school and Saturday sessions), and expands SAT/PSAT tutoring and summer recovery programs in high schools.

Dr. Beatty also briefed the committee on the state budget proposal and potential federal funding reductions. He said the governor’s budget proposal would raise per‑pupil funding to $10,000 (about $19 million in recurring revenue for DPSCD by the district’s estimate), increase some special education reimbursements and boost at‑risk funding by roughly 4 percent (about $3.7 million). At the same time, he warned that pending action in Congress could lead to deep federal cuts: committee discussion referenced a House resolution that outlined possible reductions of $1.5–$2.0 trillion at the federal level and scenarios that could translate to large percentage reductions in federal education programs; Dr. Beatty said the district is modeling contingencies and that a federal shutdown or deep cuts could force short‑term use of fund balance or more surgical program changes.

The superintendent said the district is monitoring federal and state developments, will prepare scenario budgets, and may convene community briefings to explain potential impacts and options. He also said the district continues to receive philanthropic relief for summer programming (the Ballmer grant) and that summer offerings will target non‑Facility Master Plan buildings where possible.

The academic committee accepted the update on a motion; members discussed follow‑up reporting and requested a written breakdown of targeted interventions and outreach for the four schools currently marked "off track."