Tanya presented the draft Comprehensive Achievement and Civic Readiness (CAKER) report and led the board through multiple goals, data points and proposed strategies. She said the document is a draft for board feedback and that it will be submitted prior to Dec. 15.

On kindergarten readiness, Tanya said the fall benchmark target was 54% but the district measured 47% on the early-reading assessment. She asked whether the board wanted the goal to focus on children who attended Albert Lea Area Schools preschool programs or on all kindergarten entrants; some board members recommended keeping the goal at the district level. "This data is reflective of all kindergarten students," she said while asking whether to desegregate the metric for internal goal-setting.

Tanya reported the district exceeded a goal on preschool exposure: 89% of kindergarteners reported attending some preschool program (target 83%). She described implementation strategies including revitalizing observational rounds for early-learning teachers, partnering with community education and outreach to culturally specific groups, and offering professional-development opportunities to pre-K providers.

On assessment strategy, the report documents a move away from relying solely on MCAs toward using FAST benchmark assessments that give frequent, K–12 coverage. Tanya asked, "Is anyone opposed to moving to FAST data versus MCAs?" No board member objected during the meeting. A board member earlier had questioned the MCA's usefulness, saying it is "not a very reliable tool that measures how our students are doing." The CAKER draft also set targets for narrowing racial and economic achievement gaps, increasing CIS/AP participation, and returning the 4-year graduation rate toward an earlier baseline (board materials showed discussion of a return-to-78% target).

Tanya noted achievement-and-integration rules require allocating 20% of related revenue to improvement efforts if goals are not met; she said most of that funding has gone to success coaches. The board offered clarifying suggestions — including additional outreach to community partners and a breakdown of kindergarten-entry data — and Tanya said she would revise the draft items before submission.