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Board member urges aggressive strategic-plan review to close achievement gaps; proposes academic committee
Summary
Board member Renee Diamond urged the board to revisit the district strategic plan, align budget and policy to accelerate student growth beyond TVAAS 'three' expectations, and form an academics committee to monitor progress; the board discussed the proposal and deferred a vote to a future meeting.
Board member Renee Diamond delivered an extended academic reflection asking the Cleveland City Schools Board of Education to sharpen goals, resources and accountability to close achievement gaps.
Diamond reviewed the distinction between achievement (proficiency on state assessments) and TVAAS growth measures, arguing that sustained system alignment is needed to accelerate student outcomes rather than maintaining the status quo. She cited classroom observation data she said showed limited use of some instructional practices—"only 28% of observations" demonstrated teachers checking for understanding in ELA and in math "only 13%" were using internal summaries to pause and ensure understanding—and said the district should tie strategic goals to annual measurable objectives used by the state.
"If we have these practices and these systems and our use of data is in place, then how are these efforts translating into results for students?" Diamond asked. She moved that the board (1) revisit the strategic plan so KPIs explicitly target gap closure and accelerated growth, and (2) adopt a policy‑level academics committee composed of board members and district staff to meet quarterly and review student outcomes. Trustees seconded the motion, and the board discussed next steps; the motion was not voted on at the meeting and will be scheduled for forthcoming board work.
Director of Schools Dr. Elliott and other board members responded that an LEA plan and a planned retreat provide opportunities to integrate Diamond’s proposals. Trustees agreed to take the proposal to committee and to schedule a future retreat to align strategy, budget and policy.
