Board hears strategic‑plan progress: attendance up slightly; district targets growth at 70th percentile

The Sunnyvale School District presented a midyear progress update on its strategic plan, highlighting attendance, adult instructional practices and academic growth measurement as key focuses. "This is an exciting time for me and my team and community members as well," Chief Teaching and Learning Officer Dr. Tasha Dean (speaker 6) told the board as she opened the item.

Presenters said the district is tracking a set of "vital signs" for the year, including regular attendance (defined as 90% or higher) and the implementation of adult practices such as twice‑monthly attendance meetings. On assessment, John (speaker 13) explained the district's use of NWEA growth data and described a growth target: "we're setting out the 70th percentile as our growth target," he said, arguing that growth measures help identify students who are improving rapidly even if they have not yet reached proficiency.

Special education director Linda (speaker 14) reported findings from special‑day classroom walkthroughs, saying paraprofessional coaching and focused small‑group instruction have produced noticeable student engagement: "I have never been prouder of our special day class instruction than I am this year," she said. Paul Slain (speaker 17), director of student support services, also summarized Panorama climate data, reporting a rise in student survey completion rates from 76.4% to 79.4% and noting both gains in self‑management and an area of decline in students' reported supportive relationships.

Board members pressed staff on curriculum timelines and coaching effectiveness. Staff said the district piloted designated ELD this year and is exploring a comprehensive ELA/ELD pilot for next year, with more detailed proposals to come through scheduled midyear LCAP and later district updates. The presentation emphasized implementation discipline, teacher coaching alignment and ongoing measurement as priorities moving forward.