Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education Stem topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
District outlines STEM targets, elementary STEM labs and AP participation
Summary
District staff presented updated STEM targets — including a goal that 35% of sixth graders be pre‑algebra ready by seventh grade, and a multi-pronged plan to boost advanced STEM course-taking and AP STEM exam success — and described elementary STEM labs and community partnerships.
Nick Williams and Allison Meyer presented a progress report on STEM achievement, curriculum alignment and elementary STEM labs.
Williams said district targets include having 35% of sixth graders pre‑algebra ready by seventh grade, 20% of graduates earning 10 advanced STEM credits (equivalent to five courses), and 17% of graduates earning a passing score on a STEM AP exam. He reviewed cohort and AP data showing a recent graduating class with about 14.4% earning a passing STEM AP score and said current seniors already show about 15.93% with AP STEM credit.
“All of our state universities honor these credits,” Williams said, noting that a score of 3 or higher on an AP exam is generally accepted for college credit at public state schools.
Allison Meyer, an elementary STEM teacher and district STEM events coordinator, described hands‑on weekly STEM lab visits for K–6 students (45–50 minutes) focused on engineering design, computer science and digital citizenship. She highlighted a partnership with the Landmark Columbus Foundation that allowed sixth‑grade student projects to be displayed downtown as part of an exhibit.
Board members and staff discussed alignment between elementary checkpoint assessments and middle/high school pathways, peer tutoring programs, and whether new course offerings (such as pre‑calculus at both high schools) and targeted professional development will increase advanced STEM participation.
The administration said it will continue districtwide alignment work, use PD days for departmental coordination, and share advanced‑STEM data with counselors to improve course marketing and enrollment.
