Last year the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction implemented a reporting system which gives an annual report card to each public school in the state. The report card measures schools in the areas of Student Achievement, Student Growth, Closing Gaps, and On Track to Graduate and Post-Secondary Readiness. Each area is defined as follows:

• Student Achievement is based on test scores from the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Exam taken by 10th graders in the state.
• Student Growth is based on how students are progressing on the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Exam as they take it over the years.
• Closing Gaps shows how the performance of student groups experiencing statewide gaps in achievement and graduation is improving in the school.
• On-Track to Graduation and Postsecondary Readiness indicates the success of students in the school in achieving educational milestones that predict postsecondary success. It includes the graduation rate and the attendance rate for other schools. It also includes measures ACT participation and performance.

Today, the Department of Public Instruction released the 2013-2014 State Report Cards. As our records indicate, IDEAS Academy received a five point deduction due to our attendance data. The deduction is based on data from the 2012-2013 school year, due to the fact that DPI's consideration of attendance data lags one year behind the report card. As you review this data, it is important to understand that based on our current projections for attendance, IDEAS Academy will not receive a deduction for the 2013-2014 attendance data. For the 2013-2014 school year 90% of our students met the state attendance requirement.

In reviewing our data for our 2012-13 school year, it is important to look at the information behind the numbers and understand the complete picture.

• 50% of the students not meeting the attendance requirement for the 2012-2013 school year transferred out of IDEAS.
• Of the students who remained for the 2013-2014 school year 100% of the seniors not meeting the attendance requirement graduated and were accepted into college.
• Of the students who remained for the 2013-2014 school year 90% of the students not meeting the attendance requirement showed improvement in their attendance for the school year.

Over the course of the 2013 - 2014 school year we developed attendance-focused interventions that align with our core mission. Central to these interventions are conferencing and contracting. We use a problem solving approach that starts with our Advisors meeting with students to set attendance goals. If problems persist, our administration gets involved and meets with students to problem solve and contract with them. Additionally, students with issues stemming from their home life are given support through Mamie Lintereur, our school social worker. If contract goals are not met, we move to parent conferences and use the SASD Truancy Officer. The majority of these interventions work in the first few steps based on conferencing with students and check ins. We believe this approach is key to giving our students the problem solving and advocacy skills needed to be successful in college and their future.

IDEAS remains focused on students developing Habits of Professionalism and Habits of Mind necessary for long term success in college and career paths. Our work in addressing attendance does just that by working with students to address the core issues causing truancy and supporting them to find solutions. While the state report card addresses some indicators of Post - Secondary Readiness, we continue to take the long view with our students to ensure they are accepted into college and have the skills to succeed after high school.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at thamm@sheboygan.k12.wi.us.