Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Academics And Student Support topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Gary schools describe curriculum adoption, differentiated instruction, truancy outreach and volunteer policies
Summary
Chief Academic Officer Dr. Cynthia Treadwell described a districtwide literacy curriculum adoption, expanded professional development and differentiated small-group instruction; Superintendent Dr. Yvonne Stokes detailed truancy outreach, legal obligations for special education and volunteer background-check policies.
Dr. Cynthia Treadwell said the district launched a curriculum adoption in the spring and will implement a new literacy program for pre-K through fifth grade to support small-group instruction and give teachers a consistent roadmap for literacy instruction.
"We just launched a curriculum adoption process in the spring," Treadwell said, adding that teachers reported changes in lesson planning and data use after districtwide professional development on the gradual-release model. She said the district will continue districtwide professional development to ensure teachers and principals use consistent approaches.
Treadwell and Superintendent Dr. Yvonne Stokes clarified that "smaller groups" refers to differentiated groupings within classrooms rather than a reduction in overall class size. "She's not necessarily saying a smaller class size," Stokes said. "You're just grouping smaller groups within the classroom. But that's not necessarily the case" for the teacher-to-student ratio, she added, noting budget limits constrain hiring.
On special education, Stokes — who cited a background in special education — emphasized the district's legal and ethical responsibility to provide least-restrictive environments through individualized education programs (IEPs). "We do that through an IEP," she said, noting supports can include transportation, classroom assistants or placement at specialized facilities as needed.
Addressing family access and volunteers, Stokes said some COVID-era access rules had lingered but families are welcome in schools with advance notice and a check-in at the office; she added the district requires background checks for volunteers and said changes to those policies fall under board policy and Indiana codes.
On truancy, Stokes described a new Student Services department and "boots on the ground" outreach that helped increase enrollment and reduce absences; she said truancy is a community issue and described working with city transportation and other community resources to get students to school.
On family engagement, Treadwell said the district plans to revive parent-teacher associations and PTOs and to launch All Pro Dads chapters and mentoring initiatives, with training and parameters for parent volunteers and mentors.
These on-air remarks were descriptive of current district programs and policy direction; no formal board action was announced during the broadcast.
