Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the K 12 Education topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Lincoln Elementary highlights reading focus, growth and wraparound supports
Summary
Principal Maria Gonzales and staff presented Lincoln Elementary's academic progress, reporting gains in ELA and math proficiency, MTSS referrals and applied-skills program successes; building leadership emphasized reading as this year's priority and noted high attendance and reduced suspensions.
Lincoln Elementary School staff presented an update to the School City of East Chicago board on Jan. 28, highlighting student growth, instructional supports and extracurricular programs.
Principal Maria Gonzales (identified on the record as principal of Abraham Lincoln Elementary) told the board Lincoln's school-improvement targets include increasing ELA proficiency by 10 percent, increasing math passing rates by 10 percent, and decreasing suspension rates by 10 percent. Gonzales reported that ELA proficiency rose from 34.5% to 39.52% and noted growth on NWEA measures, including a reported 51st percentile growth for the school on a current benchmark. She also singled out a 6th-grade teacher who posted 90% growth in math after the school restructured instruction to concentrate that teacher on math.
Assistant Principal Shannon Davis presented on MTSS (multi-tiered system of supports), describing a process of team meetings twice a month, use of the Panorama platform for student data, and active monitoring of roughly eight students on the schoolwide watch list with additional referrals and special-education referrals made as interventions failed to produce expected progress. Davis said second grade is currently the hardest-hit grade cohort with COVID-era learning loss contributing to referrals.
Staff highlighted the applied skills program and the iRead successes; Principal Gonzales credited instructional coaches and named teachers who led strong student results. The building reported an attendance rate the principal described as high and said suspension rates have decreased because of MTSS interventions. The presentation included recognition of extracurricular activities, such as a cheerleading program and student performances, and thanked board members for support during School Board Appreciation events.
Why it matters: The presentation provides the board and public with school-level evidence of academic progress and the supports the school is using to address reading and behavior—key inputs to district improvement planning and grant use.
Ending: Principal Gonzales asked trustees for continued support of staff and programs; staff said they will continue to monitor assessments and interventions and report progress to the board.
