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SLPS highlights Early College Academy and progress on Transformation Plan 4 pillars in academic update
Summary
District academic leaders presented student speakers from the Early College Academy, previewed efforts to grow preschool access and reading outcomes, and outlined targets for teacher retention and student growth under Transformation Plan 4.
Saint Louis Public Schools leaders used the board meeting to showcase work on academics, including a student presentation from the Early College Academy and an update on Transformation Plan 4 targets for instruction, retention and early literacy.
Two seniors from the Early College Academy — Mariam Saba and Zainab (Zaina) Al Husseini — spoke to the board about their experiences taking college courses through Saint Louis Community College while completing high school. Saba told the board the program “prepared me for the challenges for college” and let her finish high school with both a diploma and an associate degree. Zainab said the program gave her valuable time-management flexibility: “Time is so valuable,” she said, and described having more free time and opportunities to work and save money while enrolled.
Chief academics staff (identified in the meeting as Doctor Dina/Dino) framed the student remarks within Transformation Plan 4, which the district structures around five pillars and roughly 20 goals. The presentation covered pillars 3 and 4: cultivating leaders and ensuring students learn to read and succeed. Pillar 3 work includes professional development for leaders on strategies such as gradual release instruction and the science of reading; the district reported all school leaders are participating in that PD this year. Targets include retaining at least 85% of the teaching workforce overall and 90% of teachers of color. The district said earlier-year retention rates have been in the low- to mid-80s and that coaching satisfaction (measured via Panorama surveys) was 57% favorable in spring 2024 with an internal goal of 75%.
Pillar 4 highlights included early learning and literacy targets: the district set a goal that by 2026, at least 90% of pre-K 4 scholars will demonstrate kindergarten readiness. The presentation cited STAR Early Literacy fall data showing students with preschool experience met or exceeded readiness benchmarks at higher rates (51%) than children without preschool (24%). The academics presenter said the district will pilot an Accuplacer preparation course at St. Louis Community College Forest Park to support juniors seeking Early College Academy admission and is seeking community input on the next district improvement plan through a series of community cafés.
Board members asked for additional detail on measures, including matched assessment data used to compute growth, why students with IEPs showed smaller gains in some preschool cohorts, and how the district tracks graduates’ postsecondary placement. The presenter said seniors are contacted during the year after graduation via the college-and-career office and that the district met a “positively placed” rate of 88% in 2024, short of the 95% 2026 target.
No formal votes were taken on the academic items; several board members asked for forthcoming materials, including the detailed professional development plan and lists of courses offered across high schools.
