Cincinnati — Cincinnati Public Schools on Oct. 11 laid out the instructional strategies it will use this year to try to improve the district’s state report‑card measures, with a particular focus on third‑grade reading, Algebra I proficiency and chronic absenteeism.

Superintendent Susan Bennett Murphy presented an academic roadmap linking the goals the board approved earlier in October to classroom practices and district supports: a focused third‑grade tutoring pilot, expanded Algebra 1 supports, a vocabulary and English‑learner “strategy of the month,” and monthly instructional dashboards to track progress.

Third grade and tutoring pilot: District leaders said they trained staff in a focused “third‑grade push” prior to fall assessments and will use October data to identify students for a tutoring pilot aimed at several targeted schools across the district. The administration described a sequencing plan — finish the instructional push, review October assessment results, then deploy targeted tutoring in selected schools — and said the pilot will inform any scale‑up in later years.

Algebra and secondary focus: CPS intends to build on last year’s Algebra initiative by ensuring credentialed teachers cover Algebra I sections in pilot schools and by adding supports so teachers can deliver a consistent curriculum. Leaders said long‑term substitutes sometimes fill openings and that credentialed teachers and smaller class formulas help improve outcomes.

Attendance and chronic absenteeism: The board and administration discussed chronic absenteeism as a systemwide problem and emphasized it will be a focus of follow‑up. Leaders said the district is convening partners and said data issues — including whether students were present at school but not in class, and transportation delays that leave students late — need careful coding and public explanation. Board members pressed administration for clearer public communication about the causes of chronic absence and for steps the district will take to fix transport and reporting issues.

Accountability and reporting: Administration said it will deliver a regular instructional dashboard to the board and noted a scheduled Oct. 24 retreat to deep‑dive into report‑card components. Board members requested stronger, school‑level accountability and asked that updates tie to assistant‑superintendent oversight and explicit implementation dates.

Ending: Murphy and staff said they will continue monthly data reporting to the board and asked for continued partnership from the board and community as they roll out pilots and supports this school year.