001Um, Miss Block, would you like to start us off and we'll go 876543219? No announcements tonight. Okay. District 7 is not here. District 6. Yes. I do have a couple of announcements this evening. Uh, just really quickly, I want to say congratulations to the Antioch High School uh on the new turf celebration this past Friday. We actually uh got the celebration done before the rain and the storm started running everybody to their uh respective corners, but it is absolutely beautiful. And so if you get an opportunity to go and take a look at that new turf, it is fantastic. Also, we will be celebrating the new turf at Canidge High School on September 19th at 6:30. So, I'm super looking forward to that. So, uh we're just doing all the new turf in southeast Nashville.
002It's beautiful. And um I'm trying to find this. We are in the planning stages of the um maybe I found it, maybe I didn't. Uh we are in the planning stages of uh the 2026 MLK Day events and I wanted to announce Oh, I found it. Look at that for timing. We are once again doing a t-shirt contest, t-shirt design contest that will be open to all students that are in Davidson County schools, enrolled in Davidson County schools, grades K8. Uh the contest is open now. The information will go out to all schools and uh there is a $250 prize for the winning design and uh as I said the information will go out to all schools and uh there's a submission information deadlines and all of that on this information that will go out
003to the schools. But that contest is open now as I said to all students in enrolled in Davidson County Schools K12. And finally, there's been a change. Uh, our next District 6 community meeting will be, it will still be virtual, but it will be on September 24th at 6:30 instead of the 23rd. And that information is going to be posted on my social media on Facebook and on Instagram. You will have to register in advance to attend that meeting, but it is absolutely free registration. but uh encourage all of the district 6 uh constituents to join me to have conversations. So that will be on September 24th. Thank you. >> Thank you. District five, do you have any announcements, board member Fain? No announcements. Thank you. Okay, District 4. Um thank you. Um, sorry. I
004I was thinking and rolling here. Uh, I just want to uh thank Dr. Battle and and her team on an amazing presentation yesterday uh this week with the Rotary um where where she presented um at the Rotary Club of Nashville or the Nashville Rotary Club, whichever way it goes. um today uh and and talked about the phenomenal work that's happening within MMPS and how communities and lead community members and leaders um can get involved um and continue to build impact in our district. It was great feedback, great turnout um and just want to thank you uh for your leadership in that. Um yesterday also we got to participate and some of our board members got to participate in celebrating with teachers um for roller skating. Y'all the videos are online if you want to see.
005Um, it's quite interesting. They're not. I'm just kidding. But, um, >> yes. No, I do have video, but I haven't posted online yet. Um, but yeah, just celebrating um teachers and the phenomenal job that you do day in and day out um to uh make an impact in students lives across our district. We celebrate you and celebrate the hard work that you do across our district. Um, and then last for district 4, we will have a community meeting also on September 25th. That meeting will also be online. Um, and it's from 6:00 to 7:30. Um, that will be posted on social media, so you will have access to that as well as the link to be able to join that community meeting. Um, thank you. That'll be it. >> All right. District three. None. District
006two. >> Yes. Thank you. So, uh, feeding off of the, um, skating event, we also have a South Southeast Nashville area one, um, for the other half of the everybody and it's at the Brentwood Skate Center on the 17th from 5:30 to 7:30. I will be there, but I will not be skating. So, you will not get that on video. >> I'm not I don't succumb to peer pressure. I will not be doing it. Um, but I will cheer you on. I'm good at I'm good at observing. So, I will be there. Um, there are some flu shot clinics coming up. I really strongly encourage everybody to get those shots as the flu is already out and about. So, um, in my district, it's at the Overton cafeteria on the 16th from 2 to 4:30.
007That's for all MNPS employees and their dependents that are 5 years old and up. That is even if you don't have MNS coverage. So, it's for all MNPS employees. So, it's a really wonderful benefit. Um they're across our uh schools including the wellness center. If you go to mnshalth.org/flueshot you will see all of them. I know we're going to hear from the great Hunter Lane cluster. So I was going to say that they are at the Hunter Lane um library on the 23rd at 2:00 to 5. So y'all get y'all shots. We want to keep you health and healthy. Um, and then, uh, lastly, since we're talking about Overton, there's a ton of Overton homecoming events coming up towards the end of this month, from a volleyball tournament to powderpuff football games, all kinds of
008stuff. So, watch your emails. But the big thing that's happening is this Friday is the cluster night. It is the cluster night football game, and it's a big one. So, there's going to be tables for all of the schools so that people can learn about all the different schools inside the zoo cluster. Uh there's also going to be the first ever mascot race during the um halftime. I should also say that is against my high school alma mater of Clarksville High School, but I will not be voting or cheering for them. I will sit on the right side of Overton and MNPS. I promise. But I will have some friends on the other side that I'll have to go say hey to. But um wanted y'all to know that it's a big event. There's been
009a lot of planning obviously into it. And so we're excited about it. and I hope that all the other schools that feed into Overton can be there. So, thank you so much. >> Thank you, District 1. >> All right, I have uh six quick announcements. Um I know, right? So, this uh week on September the 11th from 8 to noon at Maplewood High School, uh they will be having their 10year celebration of their partnership with Bridgestone. And uh so they're inviting all of their partners and uh and families to come out and uh celebrate with them on the 11th of September. Then on the 12th of September, it is Whites Creek's homecoming. And so for all the Whites Creek alum, I don't know where Cheryl's at, but uh we want all our Whites Creek alum
010to uh join us uh at the uh football stadium that evening for the football game. Then on beginning on September the 17th, I just want to remind everybody that uh there is a special election that is coming up for Congressional District 7 and the early voting starts on the September the 17th. Uh and that district uh kind of runs in line with schoolboard district 1. On September 19th, Cumberland Elementary School will invite the My Brother's Keeper for the Rise, Read, and Lead event. Uh this is an opportunity for folks to come into Cumberland Elementary School and volunteer to read to our uh third grade uh young men and women there. On September 20th from 11 to 200 p.m. It Creswell will be hosting the NFL Alumni Association training camp for dad program. Uh it's an
011opportunity for our fathers to participate in some workshops to become better dads along with uh some NFL alumni. I believe uh Kevin Dyson will be at this event. And then on September 24th from 8 to 9, we are having donuts for dads at Cumberland. So I guess you all might see the theme. Um we are really supporting and encouraging our fathers to get involved and engaged in our schools. And so on September 24th from 8 to 9, we'll have donuts for dads at Cumberland Elementary School. That's all I got. >> Great. Thank you. We have our wonderful, fearless senior school board student leader. Do you have any announcements tonight? >> Um, excited to be back, guys. How exciting. Um, I just want to echo what board member Rod said. We are having cluster night this
012Friday at Overton. Um, and I want to put the message out there that there are so many ways you can be supporting your local school clusters right now with fundraising um, and volunteering. And I'm looking forward to a really great year here. [Music] Um, and then I will do a quick announcement for district 9. Um, we had earlier this week, Lawson student athletes participated in Feed My Starving Children and were able to pack meals for 75 kids for a full year. And we are just really proud of our community spirit and service that our student athletes were doing um for their their community. And also, if you would like to support Lawson's cross country team, you can participate in a virtual 5K anytime this month. It's cost $30 to be a participant. The team will
013be running at Von's Gap this Saturday at 9:00. If you would like to do your 5K with the team, I will put all that information up on my socials. Um, if you cannot make it this Saturday, you can always just run on your own and still be participating in that. So, we hope that you will join us. All right. And that's it for my announcements and for all announcements. And I'm going to close us up. Thank you. What kind of >> Wait, now I can help you. Yeah. Yes. See the pictures. We can't watch [Music] 49. Happy Yeah. Yeah. Good afternoon. We're going to go ahead and get the uh call the meeting to order. Um I'm Dr. Berththena Namckeny and serves as the vice chair of the school board. Our chair, Freda Player, is
014out today. So I will be um uh I will be leading the meeting for today. Um we do have a quorum today and for the pledge of allegiance, um we are going to invite Dr. Susan Kesler with the executive principal of Hunter's Lane High School to come and give the pled pledge of allegiance. Thank you. Please rise. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Dr. Kesler. Um, we will now begin with the student board member swearing in ceremony for our junior student school board member. Thank you. I'm super excited to swear this young lady in. Come on over. This is Ava Dash. She is going to be serving as
015our junior student school board member. Uh she will be sworn in today for the next two years. So pray for her. She has to deal with us. Okay. So Ava, repeat after me. I state your name. I, Ava Dash, >> do solemnly affirm >> that I will support the constitution of this state >> that I will support the Constitution of this state >> and the United States >> and I will perform that I will perform with fidelity >> that I will perform with fidelity >> the duties of the office to which I have been selected >> to do the duties of >> the duties of the office >> to do the duties of the office >> to which I've been selected >> and I'm about to assume. Congratulations. [Laughter] I'm so happy to have some
016of my students. It's never one of my students, but how it is. Welcome Ava uh to officially to the school board. We're glad to have you as the junior student school board member. We look forward to the insight you can offer us as a student and your perspective in policies and things that shape our school district. So, welcome aboard. Glad to have you. >> Um we're going to give you a moment to introduce yourself. >> Hi, my name is Ava Dash. Um, I go to MLK High School. I'm currently a junior. Um, I am very honored to have this role and serving um, my fellow students and um, people of MMPS. Uh, I hope to provide really great insight for our fellow board members to see the perspective of what it really means to be
017a student of MMPS. Thank you. Next, we will proceed with um leadership elections for uh or board leadership positions. Um and we're going to make a motion for chair of the board, Miss Block. Uh, I'd like to move to u reelect chair Freda Player for a second term as the chair of the board. Do we have a second? >> I would like to second that. >> All of those in favor? >> I'm sorry. >> Oh, are there any other nominations? None seen. We're going to open it for discussion. Anyone have comments? All right. Now we will put this to a vote. All of those in favor? Anyone opposed? That is a unanimous vote. Uh chair player will remain the chair of the board for the ne for the 2526 school year. Congratulations. Next we will
018have a nomination for vice chair. Madame Chair, I would like to nominate Dr. Berththena Nabal McKenna as vice chair of the Metro Nashville Board of Education. >> Do we have a second? >> I'd like to second that. >> We will now open it up. I'm sorry. Are there any other nominations? We would like to open it up for discussion. No discussion. All of those in favor? It's a unanimous vote. Thank you all for your support and confidence in me for the next school year. Thank you. >> We also have a nomination for our Tennessee legislative uh nomination. So uh would anyone like to make a nomination? I nominate member Maize. Do we have a second? >> Second. Do we have any other nominations for this position? All of those in favor? >> All right, that
019is a unanimous uh vote. So, uh, board member Maize, uh, will serve as the legislative liaison to the Tennessee School Board Association. Congratulations. >> That's hilarious. >> All right. Now, we will move to the adoption of the agenda. Uh, can we have a nomination? Move to adopt the agenda. >> Do we have a second? >> Second. >> So moved. >> Um all of those in favor. >> Do we have a discussion on the adoption of the agenda? All right. Do we have any discussion or modifications on the adoption of the agenda? I see none. All of those in favor to adopt the agenda. Unanimous decision. Uh thank you. We will continue now. We will turn it over to Dr. Battle for awards and recognition. >> All right. Thank you so much, Vice Chair, Dr. Bthena
020Nabala McKenna. Um before jumping into recognitions, I want to take um an opportunity to um thank and congratulate our board chair um vice chair and other officers on their elections tonight. Um congratulations to everyone. looking forward to um working closely with you in the upcoming year. Also, congratulations to new student board member Ava Dash. Um congratulations to you on being um sworn in as our junior student board representative. And thank you to Hannah um Hannah Wyn for continuing her service as our senior um board member this year. Ava, of course, is a junior at MLK. Hannah is a senior at John Overton. And we're really excited about um their leadership on the board. Um, in addition to that, tonight I'm also excited to recognize six of our very own students who are recently honored by
021the National Education Equity Lab for their great work during the spring semester of the 202425 school year. Edquity Lab is an organization we started working with in 2023 to provide college courses from prestigious universities in our high schools. Ed Equity Lab believes what I believe that academic talent is spread evenly across our schools and we just need to make sure we're spreading opportunities out across the district to match the skills and ambition of our young people. Through Ed Equity Lab, we've had professors from Stanford Howard, Spelman, Morehouse, Cornell, Georgetown, Arizona State, and the University of Pennsylvania teaching our students in partnership with our own excellent educators. And these six students were recently inducted into the ED equity lab honor n excuse me ed equity lab national honor society for outstanding work in their courses last
022spring. So I'd like to take an opportunity to recognize and honor all of these students. So students when I call your name please come up near the podium and face this admiring audience and then we'll get a big group photo at the end. So, first we have Leandra Davis from Cambridge High School for her work in an international relations course with Georgetown Georgetown University. So, Leandre, if you're here, come on up. We also have Eter Gomez from Nashville Big Picture High School for an introduction to leadership studies class with Howard University. And we have three students from John Overton High School who like Leandra excelled in an international relations course from Georgetown University. They are Karen Mendoza, Deanna Rivous De LaRosa. Come on up and Andrew Russ. And also from John Overton, we'd like to
023recognize Ellen Ski for a course on the education of black girls that was taught by Spellelman College. Congratulations to all of these wonderful students who were again um inducted this spring in the Ed Equity Lab National Honor Society. students, we thank each and every one of you for pushing yourselves to take these challenging courses. I mean, how many of you took these challenging courses in high school? This is impressive. And thank you so much for not only taking the courses and signing up, but excelling in each of them. So, let's give it up for all of these outstanding students one more time. One, two. Don't get also want to take a moment to recognize as their proud principal sitting in the audience who didn't come up for the photo, Dr. Kelby Garner. All right. Again,
024congratulations to all of our National Education Equity Lab Honor Society inductees. Um, also tonight, we want to honor a group of schools that did some amazing work in the 2425 school year. Each of the schools that we're going to highlight tonight demonstrated significantly more student academic growth than was expected in the Tennessee Value Added Assessment System or Tivos. And as a result, all of these schools have earned level five status, the highest possible rating from the state of Tennessee. Now, just to give everyone a little extra context, if you get a level three for the year, you're doing well. you're doing what's expected of you when it comes to student growth. And then level four means you went above and beyond. And level five means you hit it out of the park. Well, we have
02536 schools that hit it out of the park in the 2425 school year. Now, for 16 of them, it was their first time to reach level five growth since the pandemic, which shows the long upward climb they've relentlessly pursued over the past few years. Another nine of these schools have achieved level five status either two years in a row or three years in a row. Several have achieved it three of the past four years, and five of them are now fourtime level five recipients. None of those accomplishments are easy. They require lots of work, hard work, and heavy lifting by everyone involved. So, principles, when you hear your school's name, please come up to the area around the podium. Again, turn around so you can be admired by this audience. And then we'd love to
026get a group photo at the end. Um, and again, each of these leaders are representing their educators, their families, their students, their entire learning community, and we're super proud of what they have achieved. So, this year's level five schools. I feel like I need a drum roll so we get started. All right. All right. All right. Here we go, y'all. Um, please give it up for Alex Green Elementary School. We elementary school. Andrew Jackson Elementary School, Apollo Middle School, Hay Ridge Elementary, Cochroll Elementary, Cole Elementary, Creve Hall Elementary, Croft Middle School, Cumberland Elementary, Dupont, Tyler Middle, Eagle View Elementary, Aken Elementary, Early College High School, East Nashville Magnet High School, Gateway Elementary, Patty Cotton Elementary, Head Middle School, Paul Jackson Elementary, Hume Fog Academic Magnet High Hunter Lane High School, John B. Witet Elementary, John
027Early Middle School, John F. Kennedy Middle School, Julia Green Elementary, Lachland Elementary, Martin Luther King Jr. Academic Magnet School, Meg's Middle School, Moses McKisac Middle School, Norman Binkley Elementary School, Schwab Elementary, Stratford STEM Magnet High School, Stratton Elementary, Tuscalum Elementary, Two Rivers Middle School and Wright Middle School. All right, I'm going to ask everyone to stand to their feet and let's give it up for all of these outstanding souls. >> All right, y'all had to scooch in a picture. Come on. Fill in the middle. Board members, come on up. Y stand in the back. Okay, we can stand in the back. Yes, >> a selfie. >> I think I want one, too. That's a good idea. real quick. Get everybody in right here. [Music] >> All right. One, two, three. Perfect. Here we go. One,
028two. [Music] All right, here we go. One, two, three. >> Congrats everybody. Congratulations. [Laughter] probably with the um I can put them in my update Friday. So you mean how many times they Yeah, I got you. All right. Again, um to our principles, thank you. Thank you. Thank you to you and your teams for the incredible effort you all have put in in supporting and inspiring and educating your students. We are so proud of each one of our level five schools. Um again, congratulations to all of our level five schools, all 36 of you. Um and I'll turn it back over to you um vice chair um to conclude our awards and recognitions. >> Thank you and congratulations to all of the schools for level five. I know that that is a lot of hard
029work and dedication from every member of your team within your school um that works to make an impact within the lives of each one of our students um to ensure that every student is known and every student is on a path toward success. So, congratulations again and we truly truly appreciate all that you do. Um, I'm going to open it up to see if anyone has any comment questions. All right, we will move on to the director's report and we will turn it back to Dr. Battle. All right, thank you so much again, um, vice chair. Um, this evening we come together at a moment of celebration. Um, as you know, um, based upon our awards and recognition, um, Nashville Public Schools has once again made history, achieving a level five TV growth district designation
030for the fourth consecutive year. We know that this is no small feat. It reflects the unwavering commitment of our teachers, the resilience and brilliance of our students, and the steadfast support of our families, administrators, support staff, community partners, and of course, this board. This exciting news builds on the historic highs in academic achievement we shared earlier this year with continued growth that outpaces the state average. From early literacy through high school readiness, our students are showing that when given opportunity, resources, and encouragement, they soar. This recognition also extends to our schools. And as we shared just a moment ago, 36 campuses across the city from elementary to high school earned level five designations this year, showing that excellence is not isolated, but it is in fact widespread across our district. These accomplishments reflect the culture
031of high expectations and student success we are building in every corner of Nashville. As we celebrate, it's important to remember that these gains are not the product of chance. They are the result of intentional alignment, strong community partnerships, and the daily work of thousands of dedicated educators and staff who make Nashville public schools a place where children thrive. Tonight, we will dig a little deeper into this story of growth and opportunity. In just a moment, Dr. Tina Sen, executive officer of research, assessment, and evaluation, will walk us through the TAS data in more detail. Then our chief of strategy, Sarah Chen, will highlight the international balora program, an internationally recognized rigorous path that exemplifies how our advanced academic offerings are preparing students for college, career, and life. And then finally, we're going to hear from
032the Hunter Lane cluster leadership team as they share their journey map, a model of how cluster alignment can guarantee a high quality, personalized, and applied learning experience for every student. Each of these presentations reflect the same truth. Our district is not only growing, we are thriving. We are innovating and we are setting the bar for excellence in Tennessee and beyond. With that, let's begin by welcoming Dr. Stinson to share more about our TV successes. >> Thank you, Dr. Battle. Good evening, members of the board. I'm here to share more good news. So, we already celebrated the schools and many of you may have seen how we did as a district, but I'm going to go through it in a little more detail. As you may or may not know, um the Tivos system gives composits
033not just for overall growth, but for each grade level, um and each subject. So we're going to start with the achievement which replaced the 10 ready a couple of years ago. So the achievement tests growth first. You can see the systemwide literacy is five, numeracy five, literacy and numeracy together. This is used for our accountability um federal accountability level five systemwide TECAP grades four through eight science is five and the achievement social studies also level five. So you can probably predict that our overall systemwide composite for TECAP achievement in grades four through eight is also a level five. So every possible score uh is the highest um the state currently offers. Next we will look at the end of course tests. These are taken by high schoolers but also some middle schoolers in seventh and
034eighth grade. Uh even the occasional sixth grader um will take an end of course assessment. So these are the composite scores. Systemwide literacy and numeracy for end of course tests are level two literacy plus numeracy level two systemwide science three and systemwide social studies four. Overall the systemwide composite is three meaning our students met average growth across the state. This is state expectation growth. The overall composits that combine grades 3 through eight achievement and um grades 7 through 12 end of course tests. Same categories. Literacy five, numeracy 3, literacy plus numeracy 3, science five, social studies five, and overall level five district fourth year in a row. This is the first time the district has ever achieved four years in a row of level five growth across all subjects and grades. We also have a
035little bit more data on student groups um available on the site than we used to have. These are showing our student groups in English, math, science, and social studies. I'm not going to go through each one of these, but of course, this goes through one through five. And every student group is meeting or exceeding state expectations on this. So it's not just that overall we are doing it we are doing it for everybody. Um again the line is the state rate just level three is standard. And finally we want to share some really good news about our ACT again for the second year in a row. Um this this good and third year very good. Um ACT is the culmination score. So every single subject and everything that a student learns is reflected in these
036ACT scores. It's not simply English one to English 2 for example. It's it's everything. So look at this. ACT reading five, ACT English five, ACT science reasoning five, and ACT math five for an overall ACT composite of level five. Um, this is not easy to get folks. It is really hard to move ACT scores. Um so uh that is a very short and hopefully sweet uh presentation. Um uh but I did want to add um a little bit about schools. We just celebrated the level fives but um our school level teas um this is uh in not including charter schools. This is just MNPS run schools. I wanted to show how many um schools got levels three, four or five, which is the vast majority of each school um in each area um getting these
037highest uh level scores. Keeping pace with the state is not easy because our state is also accelerating, right? So, you know, we're accelerating above and beyond the state in many many areas and the state as you know from NAPE scores is also doing uh a little better than the nation. So, with this I'm going to turn it back over to you Dr. Battle for or am I turning it over to Chief Chin? >> Me. It's fine. Um so, um as we move to, um the next slide again, I won't go through the list of schools again. Um but to coincide with what um Dr. Simpson has shared again 36 um of our district run schools um are level five um this school year and if you reflect back to the last slide we have a
038number of additional schools um that were also threes and fours. So really excited um about their progress not that it's just happening in one area not at just one tier but um districtwide. So really really excited um about the progress. Um several of our schools as I mentioned during awards and recognitions are um level five as individual schools for um the fourth year in the row as well. So really excited about that growth um progress. Thank you so much um Dr. Stinson. Um I'm going to turn it over now to um Chief um Chen who is the leader of our strategy um division here for Nashville Public Schools. She's going to kick us off as we jump into our reimagined um update and then once we um once she finishes um Chief Perry will come
039up we'll hear from our hunters land qu uh cluster and then we'll take questions. >> Wonderful. Good evening board once again. I'm so excited to be here with you this evening sharing with you a little bit more about our early postsecary opportunities at MNPS and specifically uh some of those opportunities that we have available at Hunter Line. Uh so just to start us off once again I wanted to regground us in what it takes in Tennessee uh for a student to become a Tennessee ready graduate. And as a reminder, Tennessee ready graduate status is relevant for our students in terms of their accountability metrics uh for their high school. But truly more important than that, what it does is it articulates a high bar for what must be true of our students upon graduation for
040them to be ready for college and career. Uh so there's four ways in Tennessee to become a Tennessee Ready graduate. one is to complete the ACT with a composite score of at least a 21. Uh, additionally, a student can complete four EPSOs and again EPSO stands for early post-secary opportunities. That would be an advanced course, something like an AP class, an IB class, generally something that carries with you the possibility of earning college credit while still in high school. A third pathway would be to successfully complete two episodes and to pass an industry credential uh to be ready to work. And a fourth and final way to become a Tennessee Ready graduate is to complete two episodes and earn a qualifying score on the ASVAB, which is the military entrance exam. So those are the
041four different ways that a student can become a ready graduate in the state of Tennessee. And through all of those EPSO offerings tonight, when we're talking about the Hunter Lane cluster, the Hunter Lane cluster experience culminates in the experience at Hunter Lane High School. And at Hunter Lane High School, they already offer five of these different pathways for or five different EPO offerings for a student to become a Tennessee Ready graduate. So, they offer AP, uh, dual enrollment, IB, local dual credit, and industry certification. But tonight, we're going to really be looking at the IB pathway because it's something that is uh really unique to the Hunter Lane. Not unique because we do have two other schools that have IB, but it is a extremely distinctive opportunity that students can get in the Hunter Lane
042cluster. So let's talk a little bit about what international balora is. So the international balorate program is a very rigorous K12 experience that ultimately culminates in these post-secary opportunities for our students once they reach reach high school. Um so first of all it is a recognized global standard of excellence. So the IB program and IB courses ultimately culminating in an IB diploma. Uh these types of programs can truly be found all over the world. Um and currently it exists in three of our high schools at MNPS. Uh so Antioch, Hillsboro, and Hunter Lane are the three schools that offer the IB program. Uh they're rigorous and holistic courses. They are designed uh to challenge students thinking academically. Uh they are designed to foster critical thinking, to build their inter uh uh intercultural understanding, and drive
043inquiry based learning. I mean that can be that is embedded throughout the K12 experience for students who participate in these programs. Um the IB program does offerable offer flexible pathways for students to complete the IB experience. So sort of the one that I think is most widely known is the full IB diploma uh which is something that students can participate in and complete in their 11th and 12th grade years. Uh but there's also the IB career related diploma and students don't necessarily have to participate in the full diploma experience in order to benefit from the IB program. students can choose to take specific individual IB classes if those are offered in their high schools. Uh and last of all, the IB program like a lot of our other uh EPO offerings, the dual enrollment or
044AP courses, uh they are uh el they they do translate to colleges for credit when students take the IB courses and are successful in them. And that IB credential is respected by top universities not just in the United States but truly across the country. Uh so this program does uh uh open doors to our students in terms of their college admissions but also their possibility of earning scholarships and earning college credit so that they get a leg up once they are actually at college. So I want to talk a little bit about the full IB learner experience uh starting with elementary schools and really how that prepares our students for college and career readiness. On the right side of this you can see uh the image that IB uses that describes the IB learner profile.
045Um, you can see a lot of this content overlaps with the ways that we talk about the portrait of a graduate at MNPS, the way that we talk about the A professionalism rubric. Really, what do we aspire for uh to be true of our students upon graduation beyond just the numbers that we see on their transcript. Um, so that is really the foundation behind what drives the IB experience in this K12 continuum. Uh so starting in elementary for students who are preparing for the IB program uh elementary uh IB and middle school IB experience um offer students early exposure to rigor so students are engaging in real world and inquiry based learning uh really starting in kindergarten so they're on the path to this IB program. Um additionally the IB program supports students in skill
046development for their life beyond college even from a very early age. So, uh, we embed in all of our schools those AVID strategies to make sure that our students are using those Y core strategies that prepare them for IB programming and ultimately can culminate for them should they choose to do so in the IB diploma experience uh when they get to Hunter Lane High School. And last of all, of course, this is really about cultivating that IB learner profile that students are growing in their character as inquirers, as thinkers, and as communicators in alignment both with that IB learner profile, but also with MNPS's portrait of a graduate that builds on those same ideas for which to be true for our students upon graduation. And of course, our students are excelling in this international balora
047program. Um, so again, I I mentioned on our previous slide that there are two different diploma programs that can be the culminating experience for our students once they have moved through uh that that PYP program once they're in high school and they're able to access uh the diploma program in 11th and 12th grade. For those students, our students take six credit uh six college level DP courses plus the DP core. Completing that uh culminates in the IB diploma for the career related diploma. uh students in 11th and 12th grade can take two DP courses, complete a CTE pathway and the CP core. Um and then in terms of that college level rigor, again, our students can also just choose to take these courses individually if that's the right fit for them. And because Hunter Line
048also offers a range of advanced uh um advanced courses, which is also true again of our other schools that offer the IB program that can complement other comparable programs such as AP, dual credit, dual enrollment, other similar programs. So just to recap some of our student success in this area in 2025 we had 21 students across our district earn the IB diploma and 68 students earn the IB career related certificate. And again both of these are globally recognized credentials of post-secondary readiness um that set our students up for success when they metriculate to college. I'm going to share that slide one more time that I actually shared the last time I was presenting with the board for how I um how MNPS's approach to advanced academics is strengthened by AVID. So just like we saw
049in the Whites Creek uh cluster, we use uh we use AVID uh as a strategy to continue to accelerate student learning and make sure that kids are u going through that K12 continuum prepared for uh that rigorous coursework and AVID is a really uh key tool that we use to do that. Uh so again, AVID stands for advancement via individual determination. Um and this framework for AVID describes the way that all of these pieces including instruction systems, leadership, and culture fit together to create that college and career ready culture and environment and experience for our students in that full K12 continuum. And once again, using these AVID strategies and that embedded AVID practice in that full K12 continuum, make sure that our students are ready when they get to Hunters Lane High School to participate
050in our IB programming. So with that, I'd like to turn over to Reita Perry, our chief of schools of academics and schools, excuse me, who will be introducing the Hunters Lane Cluster. Thank you. >> Thank you. Good evening, board members, and Dr. Battle. It is my privilege to introduce the principles of the Hunter Lane International Balorate Cluster, leaders who are shaping globally minded scholars at every stage of learning. As a part of Nashville Public Schools reimagine, one of our district's bedrock commitments is creating consistent feeder patterns and aligned academic programming across every cluster in our district. Why does this matter? It matters because consistency and coherence ensure that every student, no matter which school they attend in their neighborhood, have the same highquality experiences, opportunities, and expectations. It eliminates gaps that can occur when programming
051is fragmented and instead builds a seamless journey from elementary to our middle schools to our high school. As you've seen in previous presentations with the Overton Zoo and Whites Creek Early College Clusters, the Hunter Lane cluster is also a model of this vision. Together, our schools provide a comprehensive international baloria continuum. A journey that begins with our primary years program in our elementary schools, continues with m our middle years program beginning in our middle school and continuing in 9th and 10th grade. And finally, our students culminate with the internationally recognized diploma program at Hunter Lane High School. We have two certified IB schools at Goodletsville Middle School and Hunterlane High School and all of our other schools in this cluster are in various stages in their pathway to IB candidacy. Alongside this IB pathway, the
052Hunterlane cluster proudly includes four magnet schools assistant program schools. These MSAP schools deepen opportunities for theme-based learning, dual language immersion experiences and international arts connections, ensuring every student has a unique, engaging, and high quality options. I'd also like to add that today you saw four of their principles being recognized as level five schools. Together, our principles that you will hear from will lead they lead schools that are preparing schools to be college ready, careerbound, and globally prepared. An educational journey that equips them not only for success in Nashville, but anywhere in the world. Hunter Lane Clusters, come on up and let's take it away. Good evening. I'm Dr. Donald Black, principal of Belshar Design Center, where every scholar, every day is ready for life. Good evening. I am Dr. Joy Mitchell. I am the principal
053at Taylor Stratton Dual Immersion Magnus School, where excellence always on purpose every day. Good evening. I am Ashley Jackson. I am the principal at Gateway Elementary where we are the gateway to the great way. And I would like to also introduce my colleague who's not able to be here, Mr. Matthew Portell. He is the principal at Goodletsville Elementary. >> Good evening everyone. My name is Brenda Still. I am the principal and of course I'm so excited that the your junior board member was a member of Old Center Elementary. So I'm excited about that. When I saw her, I really started about good build hidden treasure. >> Good evening. I am Latoya Cobb, the principal of Amqui Global Communications, K8 Magnet School, where excellence is the expectation. Hello, I'm Kimberly Bull. I am the principal at
054Newly Spear World Cultures and International Arts K8 Magnet School where our next is now. >> Good evening. I am Paulie Coffin, the principal at Madison Middle Arts Magic School, where we achieve excellence together. >> Good evening. Alec Woodhole, principal at Goodletzville Middle School and IB School, where every minute is an opportunity to learn and grow. >> And I'm Dr. Susan Kesler, the principal of Hunter Lane High School, which a little bit of trivia, was the very first IB school in the state of Tennessee. And we are in district three and Mr. Zach Young is our board member. Good evening again. Uh before I get started, it is a true pleasure, really a true pleasure for the Hunter Lane cluster located in the Madison Goodlessville area of Metro Nashville to present our journey through the many
055experiences a scholar will encounter as they travel through the tears in our cluster. Oh, what a journey. Oh, what a journey. But in the Hunter Lane cluster, we are scholars with global perspectives through the international balor experience. We explore, we connect, and we lead. We're scholars who will be college ready, careerbound, and globally prepared. Let's see what the classroom experience will look like. Our first stop is the elementary tier where students will encounter a global experience in grades K through f preK through five. Next stop will be our middle years where connections to learning are experienced through understanding of various perspectives. And then last but not least, and then the high school experience where scholars make the connections through leadership qualities and attributes that prepare them for the various career opportunities they may encounter. I'm
056back. So I'm here to talk about the elementary level. So at the elementary level we cultivate global thinkers, learners and communicators through the comprehensive IB programming and world language experiences. This marks students first journey with the IB framework where they are introduced to learner profiles and the primary years program. With the imp excuse me, with the implementation of AVID, students develop agency through meaningful opportunities, voice, and exploration. Our approach is culminated through project-based learning where fifth grade students showcase their talents and their achievements. So, let me tell you what we're exploring for our PBL. We're going to leverage a partnership of JA Biztown where our students can look at the economics of our town where students have the opportunity to examine the community as an economic system. They will investigate and map how money flows
057and how changes in the weather and disasters and tourism affect the local um economy. Through these personalized experiences, all of our students are known, valued, and supported. The IB Primary Years program connects our students to the world around them. It allows our students to collaborate with community organizations and nonprofits by creating authentic service learning projects. Students don't just learn about their community, they actively partner with groups to create positive change. In addition, the PYP fosters internationalmindedness. We develop partnerships with schools and organizations around the world, giving our students opportunities to engage in shared projects, explore different cultures, and understand diverse perspectives. Some of our schools partner with me languages. This allows students to receive virtual Spanish instruction from a live instructor who lives in a South American country. The program's emphasis on research, critical thinking,
058and communication skills makes it a great natural fit for collaboration with colleges and universities. These partnerships open doors for mentorships, college visits, and enrichments programs, ensuring students see a pathway to higher education and lifelong learning. In the Hunter Lane cluster, every student is known, supported, and celebrated through strong connections and positive supports. Much like other clusters that you'll hear from, we offer um opportunities to advocacy, afterchool enrichment, wellness, athletics, and fine arts. But what makes the PYP experience unique for the Hunter Lane cluster is every fifth grade student will have the opportunity to engage in the exhibition project. This exhibition project is a culminating task that connects the community and the global impact to our students learning. The culminating task is self-reflective and it is also self- selected. It is a project that allows our
059students to demonstrate their understanding of the learner profiles in action. It is also researchbased and it builds throughout the school year. It involves action. It connects local nonprofit organizations, connects students to mentors in the community, and like we've all said already, it has that layer of the learner profiles embedded throughout the entire year. Now, as we transition to the NYP experience, you'll see how the PYP foundation is solid and strengthened through the middle year's um experience. Well, now I'm excited to talk to you about the magnificent middle, the personalized experience. Our IB continuum fosters a seamless transition from elementary PYP to our high school DP through key studentled projects. The fifth grade exhibition, the eighth grade community project, and the 10th grade personal project that build agency, reflection, and action over time. Through the NYP's
060global context and intercultural focus, students engage in with diverse perspectives, personalize their learning, and develop the confidence to advocate for positive change in response to real world challenges. As our Northwest scholars move from primary years program to the middle years program, as Polly has stated, they bring foundational attributes with them that they have gained from PYP. They embrace this and enhance it through reflective and opportunities that only they receive during these years. They gain an opportunity to embrace steam, advance academics. They embrace high school credit courses and all of this supported by the AVID program. As students enter into eighth grade, they embark on a community capstone project. This is a project that explore their interest and their passion. They continue to build and relate on what they see can make a difference in their
061community. As our students enter into the middle year's program and exit, they build partnerships and my colleague would tell you about those. As my scholars, we support our students in building strategic connections with community organizations, nonprofits, businesses, and universities. We also prioritize building systematic uh wraparound supports for our students and robust extracurricular offerings um that not only provide general support but align with each trait of the IB learner profile uh so that students are well positioned and ready to take the final step to high school uh to serve and lead as global leaders. So when our students get to us at Hunter Lane High School, we're really looking to apply leadership skills. So that way students will take all of the internationalmindedness that they have learned in their K8 experience and take those experience out
062to be global leaders who can solve problems worldwide via collaboration. And we can all agree that that is something that we can wrap our hands around. uh our students have the ninth and tth grade my when they go into 11th grade that is when they are in the DP the diploma program. In addition, we are also in themies of Nashville school. Uh very proud of our wall-to-wall modelmies that are offered for all of our students. And our kids get to take classes not only um advanced placement international balora but we also offer classes that are taught at the college level through dual enrollment not only with our faculty but both nationally recognized and local faculty through universities such as Spellelman College in Georgia, Cornell University in New York and then locally Lipkcom University, Nashville State.
063There are many partnerships and we're very proud uh that we have been able to have great success where over 80% of the class of 2025 was accepted into the college of their choice. Hunter Lane students earned more university MNPS scholarships than any other zoned high school and that has been a record that we've held for the past consecutive three years. And we earned a new record in 2025 of over $17 million in student scholarships earned by our kids. As you have heard and seen tonight, this we are the Hunter Lane cluster of Metro Nashville Public Schools, where every scholar is known and where every scholar belongs. From project-based learning in elementary that launches that curiosity for students to career connections and readiness in our middle schools to leadership, collegiate coursework and IB culmination in high
064school. Our students are more than prepared to engage in a diverse perspective throughout the world. When your children leave the Hunter Lane cluster, they will have a portfolio that includes a global IB experience through PYP Elementary with that fifth grade project exposition, MYP in the middle with the eighth grade community project, fostering a mindset of community. Students can elect many leadership experience as well, including single IB courses and or aiming to earn that full IB diploma. We are the Hunter Lane cluster, our culture, our cluster, and our future. Thank you so much to each of our principles for sharing the incredible work happening across the Hunter Lane International Bealate Cluster. What you heard today represents more than individual school success. It shows the power of a seamless international balora journey where the PYP, the MYP
065and the DP connect to ensure our students graduate not only ready for college but also career also then ready to lead in a global society. This cluster embodies the vision of Nashville public schools reimagine with consistent feeder patterns and aligned academic programming that gives every student a clear and equitable pathway from elementary to middle to high school. When every child experiences that kind of coherence, they don't just have opportunities, they have a guaranteed foundation of success. As we close, I invite you to carry forward this vision, a cluster united around the belief that when we develop scholars who can think critically, act compassionately, and lead with cultural awareness, we are not just preparing them for the future. We are preparing them to shape the future. Together, we are building globally minded leaders who are currently
066making and will continue to make a lasting impact on our city, Nashville, and beyond. Thank you. to turn it back over to you, Dr. B. >> All right, let's give it up again for the Hunter Fing cluster. Again, thank you all for your incredible leadership, um, for the cohesion across your entire cluster to ensure that your families, your community has a seamless pathway toward success. We greatly appreciate each and every one of you. have a seat and then as we go through the Q&A, we might need a few of you to respond and to just show off um just how talented of leaders we have serving um Nashville public schools. Thank you so much. Um Vice Chair, I'll turn it back over to you. >> Thank you, Dr. Battle, and thank you Hunter's Lane uh
067cluster for your presentation. It was phenomenal. Um I will open the floor for uh questions and comments. Board member Maize. >> Yes. As I've said to uh the other clusters that have come before us, fantastic job. I know you're proud, but man, you give us something to be super proud about. So, thank you to each and every one of you, and thank you to your educators, to your students, and to your families. You are doing a fantastic job. And Principal Mitchell, I just want you to know I was a student at uh Taylor Stratton when it was the old Taylor Stratton way back in the day. >> That's right. That's right. So, well done. Congratulations. And you deserve it. Thank you so much. Any other comments, questions? Board member Taylor. I want to echo those
068comments. Um, the Hunter Lane cluster borders uh several of the clusters that I represent as well and then also um actually have Bellsh Elementary School in my district. And so um I get to hang out with Dr. Black and uh see some of the wonderful work that he's doing over there. Um, I do have one question and so I guess I have onetenth of the Hunter's Lane clusters act. So I guess you >> Okay. Um, but I do have a question. Um, and I don't know if this is for you, Dr. Battle, or um, but I know we have two schools in that cluster that are what, K through eight. And I because I have families that have moved back and forth between the two districts. Uh I get questions about why don't we have
069K through 8 in uh in the Whites Creek cluster specifically and uh so I just wanted to uh ask how was that decision made? What are the benefits, pros and cons? And then uh just discuss that a little bit. >> Yeah, I mean um historically we've um really um relied on our three tier um system. Um what we experienced a few years ago was tremendous success in the Hunter Lane um cluster. And as we had some movement within the portfolio of schools in the Hunter Lane cluster, it was a prime opportunity um to continue that forward momentum. Um the the families were choosing uh both Amqui and Neil's Van um to continue to grow and learn. Um we heard lots of positive feedback because of their academic success, their academic growth um as well um
070that families wanted to stay a part um of the cluster and due to some of the shifting um in the portfolio of schools, it was an opportunity um for us to actually be responsive and to give families that opportunity um for the for the current future. Right? We that we're we're in the we this is the first year actually we're K8 um at both of those schools. And so just building on the success that both schools um school communities um had experienced, it was an opportunity for us to pilot in a way um how we can deliver on our promise of a high quality public education in the KA model as well. >> Board member block. Um I um this all very exciting and like it's I um Hillsboro is also Hillsboro cluster is also
071IB. Um and so I'm excited to hear about another cluster IB and sort of how that's working because it's the approaches are um are obviously similar and different at the same time. Um I was really interested in asking Dr. Kesler a question about the university MNS uptake if that's okay. I'm just I'd be really curious. I that's very impressive um to consistently have the strongest uptake of the scholarships. Can you just talk more about what it is that you've been doing and any advice you might have for other schools? >> Sure. Well, actually, and the district has asked us to talk with other schools to to talk specifically about that. We did that this summer for Chief Chin. Um the the number one thing is that we truly believe that getting our students these scholarships
072and these opportunities um is a makeorb breakak difference in their lives. And so although we're all tasked with many many things uh that we all have to do, we see this as the thing. Sorry, probably one of my children. Uh we see this as as the uh our entire mission is to get our kids off to the college of their choice with scholarships because we know how life-changing that is. Um many of the Hunter Lane kids are first generation collegegoers. So are many of the Hunter Lane staff. I was uh first generation. And so we understand uh those core principles that make being a first generation collegegoer uh different than people who have the benefit of of generational. And it's something that uh bleeds into everything we do from our classes to our monthly college
073days uh to our activities during our one lunch to what we do with our kids. For example, we currently have 42 students at Belmont University who are Hunter Lane alumni who are earning uh a full scholarship including food, including um their residence halls. It's over a quarter million dollar uh opportunity for each of those students. Well, we have those kids come back and talk to our kids. And so then they see other Hunter Lane warriors who have earned the diploma. And so we're able to do that through some of our flexible time. and we encourage kids to do it. Just today we had over 40 different students uh in meeting during lunch with one of the Vanderbilt University recruiters so that way they could talk about those scholarships because our idea is not that you
074have to use an MNS university scholarship. Um but we want to have that kind of support and be able to propel you to wherever you want to go. So when we send kids to the Citadel, when we send kids to Duke, when we send kids to Pepperdine, it's we make it our business to learn whatever it is that that that those kids need to know because as as former first generation kids, as parents, we know it's a very very difficult process and it seems um sometimes too big to even put your arms around. And so we partner with families and say, "Let's do this with you." And and we've had really great success. And it's something that is led by our counselors, but it's something that our teachers do, our administrators do. We do it
075in the hall as we're telling you to get to class. Where are you on getting your FAFSA in? And those kinds of things. And so when you live and breathe uh getting kids to college, what happens is they end up going to college. >> Thank you. I I really I appreciate that. My my first job in the state of Tennessee was with the G I have one more question for you if you don't mind. Sorry. Um I'm annoying like this. Um the was with Gear Up Tennessee. And so I but I my father was first generation college growing. I was not. I had that advantage. >> Yeah. Um I was talking with someone in the college access world today just about how much that nearpeer idea matters. Um my other question though for you is
076just about the like to what ex how with at least in the in the IB program at Hillsboro what I tend to see is people who who are the kids who are in that program are probably not first generation. um how does that work within your programs either DP or CP and like are you looking at that when you're doing the work with the you scholarships etc etc. >> Absolutely. At Hunter Lane our diploma program enrollment mirrors our regular full high school enrollment. Um we actively recruit kids to be part of the DP. And I'll tell you, sometimes kids are like, "Well, you know, because part of getting the Hope Scholarship, remember, is a 3.0 GPA." And so sometimes students are disincentivized to take advanced coursework because it's so important to get the HOPE scholarship.
077And so our role is to do exactly what we what their parents want us to do and what what we would do as parents where we're pushing them and saying no no no you can get A's and B's in advance classes in the IB classes in AP classes. Um if students begin to feel um that they struggle or they worry they we don't allow people to just get out of them. We send we set up a meeting of all of the teachers and the parent and the student and then we're able to put in uh intervention not just during the day but we use some of our flexible time that we have at lunch to do intervention. And so that can quickly and easily get kids who may fall behind in a class or over
078a certain amount of time to catch back up immediately because that's the number one thing about keeping kids on track is not letting them get behind or once they are behind getting them right back up immediately because it really is just like running a marathon and if you get too far behind you know you may be reluctant to drop out of the marathon. Thank you. I appreciate it. Um I did have one more question. This one's for Dr. Battle though, I think. Um thank you very much, Dr. Kesler. And also congratulations to you and to all of y'all who um on both this presentation and then um I know several of you were level five schools too. So congratulations on that. Um so doc Dr. Dr. Battle my one question is about um so the
079ACT score ACT level five so let's say this you said level three is what we should be getting what anyone should be getting that's that's annual growth that is equal to that of the state um on ACT scores we um were level five on the EOCC's we had some level twos mixed in with level threes do you have any thoughts on just what's going on where uh if there are improvements where they are to be made. >> I mean level three is what's expected in a year's time. A level two means that there was evidence of growth um for our students maybe not at the same rate as peers across um the state. So um for example um when you look at um the ELC systemwide for numeracy um in fact when you look at
080the proficiency of students um in integrated math one two and three they actually outpace state growth. um what we're digging into um that while we've had that significant um proficiency increase um we're continuing to dig into um the rate at which we were able to decrease the number of students who were um performing at below and approaching right we know that they both decline but did they decline at the same rate um as um their peers across the state so still great news and positivity with regards to um achievement and we're always going to take achievement u when it comes to students meeting or exceeding expectations Um when you think about um literacy at the um high school level um we did see um an increase there not at the same rate um as the
081state average increase. Right? So increases which is representative of um being close to and we have to look into the index of how close they were to actually being a level three um as well. Um so we saw proficiency increase. Again, we've got to dig into the rate because of the state average rate, but also digging into our ability to I mean the rate of growth, right? And I'm going to tie this back to numerousy, the rate of growth um for students who also were in categories that um were approaching and below. So, we'll continue to dig into that um as as we move forward. The good news is that there's lots of successes um in that data and particularly when we think about the overall composite being at a level three which is overall
082expected um for our students um across the district um and more specifically um being at that expectation in both science and social studies. >> Thank you. Super helpful. Thanks >> board member Elrod. >> Thank you. Um like my colleague member O'Hara block I too have several questions like usual. Um so my first question and I don't know if this is going to be for hunters or later for Dr. Battle is on slide 15 it says that there were 21 students that earned the uh IB diploma and 68 that did the IB career related certificate. Is that MNPSwide through the three IB program schools or is that only at Hunter Lane? >> That's a programwide. >> Okay. So, how many are there usually at Hunter Lane? Out of just curiosity, >> you're so good at the
083statistics. I have a gut you probably know, but if you don't, it's okay. We'll give you grades. >> So, that fluctuates, but the that fluctuates from year to year. Um, kids graduate in May, and you don't find out if you got the IB diploma until the first week in July. That's interesting. >> Um, so it is a a deferred thing. And so um every year that can be different uh for students. The most important thing to remember is that all research tells us that students benefit from the rigor of being in the classes even if they don't earn the college credit or the diploma. Um and so every every year it it can be different from one year to another. >> Sure. So they don't learn if they have earned that certificate till July. >>
084Till July. Yes. >> Yeah. Um IB exams are some of the latest exams that we do administer um across the district. That's that's national. >> I'm not suspecting that it's just Hunter Lane or just us. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Yes. But remember it's you can't measure the success just based on who gets the diploma. You're measuring the success based on who gets the experience. >> Oh, sure. know I hope that I'm clear that I'm not saying that you have to only get the diploma if you go through the process the rigor and the experience and if nothing else the soft skills that you learn from that type of experience it's >> worthwhile and and I think what's exciting about what's happening in the Hunter Lane cluster is um a true through line um now so
085we don't have the hard starts and stops so now our earliest learners coming in as early as prek um are being set up on a path um towards success and we should see some acceleration um with with regards to that because students are be receiving the PYP experience in elementary school, NYP um in middle school and then the IB or certificate experience in high school. Um that in itself is a formula for success um and for access for students to both um be prepared for the rigor and be provided the necessary supports um that will lead to success once they get to the actual assessment at the end of their um high school experience. And you can see differences like in this year's freshman totally different level of preparedness than we had seen previously. And
086so it's just very exciting to to think about what the future holds. >> Good. I think my hope would be and data would typically show that that consistency will continue to make that type of progress. So >> sure, that would be great. Great. Thank you. All right. Um I appreciated everybody being here. I really liked y'all's introductions with your taglines. I liked those. That was fun. Um, and uh, Alec with I was going to say I remember you from Overton. I actually I actually thought you uh left MNPS. So, I'm glad to know that we retained you and I'm sure you're doing great there. Um, but it was good to see you. I was like, wait a minute, I remember you. Um, >> I can insist he he's been with us the entire time. >>
087I don't know. I don't know where that nasty rumor got started. It's probably the same rumor about people think I'm going to go skating in a few weeks. Um, my next questions are about uh our score information. I am hoping that we can get some board education on what is the difference between systemwide literacy, systemwide numeracy, and then the combined systemwide literacy and numeracy numbers. since they are consistent throughout. Can we have an explanation for everyone's information of what the difference is between those and why those are important? >> Yep. So, Tina, feel free to check me here if I get anything wrong. Um, so what you have um first is um growth for grades four through eight um which is TCAP or achievement. Um then you have end of course exams which happen at
088the high school level. Then you have a combined score of fourth through end of course exams which is your systemwide um scores. So it's a combination um of all the scores for systemwide. So you you have two categories four through eight you have and of course for high school and then you have all of that combined which is systemwide. >> Now for this we're like we have literacy and maybe I need to we're we're having a little over here. So like right here where it says just literacy, then we have numeracy and then we have this combined literacy and numeracy. What's the difference between this and these two? Um so what um um board member Arod is referring to um is if we were looking on um slide three um you have TCAP grade 4
089through 8 systemwide um composite. So that's every Tina feel free to come on up to the podium. That's um every um school that tests um grades four through eight. So that's a systemwide um across every content area score. Then you come under that it is grades four through eight systemwide every school for literacy combined growth score. Then numer literacy only. The first one is all tested um content areas. They have literacy. Then you move over to the right you have systemwide numeracy only. So every one of our schools that tests four through eight numeracy combined growth score. Then um under that they just because they you know we like to slice data everywhere we can everywhere we can think of you've got grades four through eight every elementary middle school testing um there and it's
090a growth score of literacy and numeracy combined. So literacy and numeracy only then you have the standalone science >> systemwide and standalone social studies systemwide. Anything you would add Tina? Um, yes, I could probably do a session with you, a working session. But, um, remember a few years ago, those of you who were here where I talked about average growth, like wi with kids, right? If you have a 5-year-old who's three feet tall and they're expected to grow three inches and they do, they're at edges, that doesn't mean they didn't grow. It means they didn't grow at the average rate. Okay? So if you look at what they're doing is looking at every student who like for each test with literacy and numeracy did this. So each student might have two tests, right? They have
091a literacy score and a numeracy score and those are all each taken separately. Like if you extend my analogy for a second to boys and girls like you can have a boys. Did we have extra growth for our boys? Did we have extra growth for our girls? And it could be average for each of those but just a little bit above average. But when you combine them into a larger population, you can say, "Okay, for sure we had above average growth." That's kind of what we're doing here. So you could technically have TCAP, literacy three, numeracy three, and overall five. Okay? because um it's looking at uh each student test not each student test in a subject. And that's also how the composite is arrived at. They're looking at each student test for each subject
092and looking at growth. And the level five is really a measure of statistical significance. Does that help? It may or may not. My understanding my understanding is that the literacy and numeracy combined score is used for federal accountability of some type. Is that well what I guess I'll just ask you which one is that or what is that? >> So yes the um so it depends on whether you're talking about school or district right. So at the school level systemwide literacy and numeracy is used. >> Okay. Um, at the district level, systemwide literacy and numeracy is also used, but it's for grades three through five, six through eight, and for high school. So, there's three different scores used in the federal accountability. >> Okay. >> And then for the state accountability, it's the entire composite
093that's used. >> Okay. I appreciate everybody sitting through that. Um, as I uh I have gotten I actually have gotten the question before of why are we having this combined number and I um haven't been able to give a good answer. I admittedly don't know if I'm still going to be able to give the best answer, but uh it'll be a more educated answer. I appreciate that. I knew it had something to do with the federal accountability. Um it is interesting about how we could have two different literacy and numeracy um achievement numbers and still get a five, but we hope to not get to that place as we've all the way across. So I appreciate that. Thank you to you both. Um I I also want to make sure that we call out that
094it's really exciting that all of our student groups uh were at least at a level three and remember that that's still um exceeding that's still great. Um, and so I think that's really exciting information and something for us to also celebrate and um, I will, yeah, I think that's the last of my questions. I'll ask one later to you. >> Thank you, board member Tyler. >> Yes. Um, this question is for Hunter Lane Elementary and Middle Schools. Um, so if you could because y'all don't usually get a lot of the questions. Um, so if you could give me a little bit of a quick rundown on the difference between the fifth grade projectbased exhibition and the eighth grade personal community project and are those expected to build on each other or are they two completely
095separate things? Just some more information on on those two kind of big touchstone moments. I was fallen told. Um, so in full transparency, this is a first year that fifth grade for our entire cluster will have that expectation to complete the exhibition. So we're kind of learning as we go. But in fifth grade, it is the idea that it builds throughout the entire year and it is something that they have personal interest in. And so they can have that buy in, they can have that autonomy and that agency and then those learner profiles can come to life. And so um it becomes kind of a collaborative um um project where we bring in those wicker strategies and then the students are able to present that. I think kind of like what we used to think
096of as a a science fair project or something like that. But this they can present that in an exhibition where people can come through they explain it but the thing is is it has some sort of impact in the community. So, for example, if they like the humane society and they want to learn to knit and then they may knit blankets for the humane society. So, there's an impact on the community. Um, now there is the idea that it can carry into the middle school. I'm not as well verssed in the middle school area if you want to pick that up, but it can continue and have that through line, but it doesn't necessarily have to because our children's interests do change. Their academic exposure and their rigor changes as well. So it allows them
097that flexibility and then it also u may pivot to as far as uh what groups they may be communicating with and collaborating with to continue that extension in that project. Does that answer your question? Okay. And I'll just like super quick. Um, one, we are excited now and I think the word coherence was used that now like prek through 12 that we're now able to partner with our elementary schools and come like participate in their fifth grade exhibitions um so that we can use and leverage those for for middle school. Um I Dr. Portell and I uh at Goodlesville, you know, we're so close, we both walked across the street to each other's campuses to collaborate um this summer. I I think the only kind of key piece for the eighth grade project is it's
098scaling up the community engagement. And so the fifth grade is a dip into like for the community. Um the eighth grade piece is starting to be in partnership learning with and from community. Um, and then I know in high school it it accelerates and goes global. >> Thank you. I'm a huge fan of project-based learning in general and and I just think that it is key to pulling in so many different aspects of how we learn and how our brains bring together information in in a way that makes it stick long term. So, I'm just I'm really impressed and I'm I'm glad to hear a little bit more about that. Thank you. student school board member Miss Nan when sorry when sorry >> okay I also had a question for the hunter's lane cluster um
099just out of curiosity uh I go to Overton so our main EPO is ACE um what does IB examination look like um and how does this like follow your mission of developing global leaders >> so uh the students students have both internal assessments that they take and then they sit for a formal test and I just like an AP test or what you do for Cambridge. Um, and they are because they have classes that are SL which means standard level. they're one year and then they have HL which are higher level and so they're longer and they take them at the end of the HL and they are a very um a very lengthy test um with a lot of uh not just not just multiple choice but essays that sort of thing and and
100they're pretty rigorous and um whereas for example AP tests a three four or five is passing IB has a different scale so you start to pass it four five six and seven. And then schools do universities do accept IB credit just the same way they accept AP credit a certain number and it depends on what the university says. >> Nice. Thank you. I also want to say I also remember you Mr. Wood and it's good to see you. You've made a really good impact on me and you were always delightful. So thank you. I feel really lucky because I moved recently and okay saw a like so proud >> board member Young. >> Thank you. Um I have a very long list. No, I'm just kidding. Um, I am so for so many reasons I'm
101really proud of the Hunter Lane cluster and and one is is not just only because I get to represent it, but also because it's where I lived my entire life and so many of my friends and my family have have have been students at all the schools and whether I mean even my stepbrother went to Hunter Lane and Galis Middle and Elementary and um seeing all of this kind of come to fruition now and and all the the how someone can go from prek and and and and through 12th grade now and this IB tied in all the way through. Um it's so great to see all of it coming together and um our schools are rocking it and we're so proud. And also I have to acknowledge the legacy in in the Hunter Lane
102cluster that so many of the um teachers and staff are either graduates of Hunter Lane or or of of of Gulitzville and Madison High. Um and they choose to stay up there and they and they remain part of our our team. And so I'm just proud of all of y'all. And I know a couple of you I had to postpone some some visits with y'all and I apologize, but uh the Zerek was not strong enough to keep my fall allergies away a couple weeks ago and I will I will get back around. But uh that's all I had. So thank you. >> All right. Anyone else? I think I I just wanted to again acknowledge um the incredible leadership and Hunter Land cluster. Um, you know, a lot of folks don't get to see all
103the behind the scenes things, but they have been growing and learning and just digging in to who they are and how they wanted to represent um the Hunter Land cluster. So, I appreciate um you all because I knew it I know it took lots of long hours and travel sometimes and just um extra meetings to to make sure that you are building a cohesive cluster um as you envision. So um just grateful to each and every one of you. Thank you um for the work you lead. Again we have level five schools, reward schools, exited priority school status schools, just national leading schools um in the Hunter Lane cluster. Also want to acknowledge um ED um Silia Connley uh who has been working closely with the Hunter Lane uh Hunter Lane cluster. Thank you for
104your leadership and commitment as well. um this this I board member Young, you said it best, it's exciting um and the future is extremely bright um in the Hunter Lane cluster. So, thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Battle. I just want to say um I got a good one from the Hunter Lane cluster. My son-in-law um is a graduate of Hunter Lane High School 2007. He went through the IB program and now is a practicing attorney in the state of New York. So, uh, amazing. Um, and he's a first generation student as well. And so, it's just a testament to the great work that has happened over in the Hunter Lane cluster and the products of students that we are producing from there. So, thank you all so much for your hard work and determination
105and the work that you're doing um, every day uh, for students um, and setting them on a pathway for success. Um, thank you all so much. Um, we will now Are we done with the C? All right. So, we will now open it up to public participation. We have two people signed up for public participation. All right. During public participation, um each uh person who will come up to speak will have a total of two minutes uh to present to the board. There is a timer on your right um or left. Uh Vanna has shown us, board member Tyler has shown us where that is positioned. Um when that two minutes is up, the timer will go off um and we will open it up to um the next participant. If you were not able
106to get um all of your uh speech or uh comments within that two minutes, feel free to email each one of the board members and we will be happy to respond accordingly. Uh first up is Philip Rich. And then next is Paula Pendergrass. >> Good evening. Good evening, Madame Chair, school board members, and Dr. Battle. I am Dr. Paula Pentigrass, the president of the Metro Nashville Education Association. I want to begin with gratitude. Every person who serves on the board, leads in the central office, works directly with students, or supports them as family or community members shares a common goal, ensuring that every child in this district has access to a strong, safe, thriving public school. As your union president, sincere appreciation extended for the recently updated memorandum understanding. That agreement reflects a shared commitment
107to collaboration, transparency, and respect for educators voices. These are uncertain times. Policy decisions can shift quickly, creating pressure and confusion. In moments like this, partnership is not just helpful, it is essential. Educators and board members share values. A belief in preparing every student for their future, in treating educators with dignity, and in the idea that strong schools are the foundation of strong communities. Partnership does not require constant agreement. It requires listening, trust, and a willingness to face challenges together. The association remains committed to contributing solutions rooted in classroom experience and student needs. When educators are heard and when leadership acts in unity, public trust grows, talented professionals stay and students benefit from the stability they deserve. As this work continues, let shared purpose guide every decision that we make. Regardless of mandates or challenging funding
108challenges, one truth remains. Together, it is possible to deliver the schools that every child and educator in MNS deserves. Thank you. And Berine, I'mma blame my misspelled last name on you, Madam Chair. I'll take it as chair, but I'm looking behind me. No. Um now we will move um over to committee reports. Um board member Elrod on the governance committee. >> Good evening. Thank you. This afternoon we met uh for governance at 4:15. In that meeting we had a discussion about IDB Wells. IDB Wells is the only remaining split zone elementary school that we have meaning that they currently students within IDW Wells can currently go to two different high schools. Um they are again our only remaining elementary school that does that and that is against our what we keep saying you might have
109heard us refer to our bedrock of what we want to provide to students and so therefore we had a discussion no votes were taken place but a discussion was taken place of how we to can better align that the current plan is that students at IDB Wells will now starting in the future um will only be going to uh Jerry Baxter and then to Maplewood students that are currently going to Stratford third uh middle and high. They can or lower and upper um can uh continue to do that. They'll be grandfathered in but have to provide their own transportation. Um but the overall student population will be going to Dairy Baxter and Maplewood which are both incredible great options. Um but they are continuing to be our only split school and that will be ending
110as of this year >> If the board approves. Yes. Excuse me. Yes. That has not been voted upon. Oh, I'm so sorry. Uh, yes, there is a community meeting uh next week. Robert, do you know what those details are or somebody going to be able to >> Thank you so much for helping me out. Uh, that information is being sent to families tomorrow along with many other communications, particularly for those that have been impacted by any changes. And I see that we have >> it's uh it's October 16th uh 5:30m at IDB Wells September sorry next week September 16th uh IDW Wells uh we sent the communication out. It's also on the website as well. >> Thank you so much. Thanks John. >> All right. Thank you board member Elrod. Um now we will move
111on to the consent agenda. Um, can we have a nomination to pass the agenda? The consent? A motion to Yeah, a motion to pass the consent. >> Move approval. >> Second. >> Thank you. We will open it up for discussion. No discussion. We will raise it to a vote. All of those in favor? Um, anyone opposed? All right, it looks like a unanimous vote. And do we have any board reports? Okay, board member Maize. Yes. So, I wanted to quickly welcome back our student board members again, uh, our new senior student board member, Miss Hannah Wyn, and our new junior board member, Miss Ava Dash. I'm excited to have them both on board. We are actually going to be working through some updates for the uh student board members so that they will be able
112to uh become more engaged in the uh in our board meeting process and we will be rolling that out in the next uh by the next meeting. So, welcome back. We're excited to have you. It's going to be a great year. Thank you, ladies. And um board member Ava, do you have family here? >> I do. My mom's right there. Do you mind standing so we can recognize you? Thank you so much. [Laughter] And as we adjourn the meeting, we do want to bring um Ava and her mom up and do a picture with board members um so that we'll have that if that's okay. All right. Um be there no further business. This meeting is adjourned. This has been a service of the Metro Nashville Network. If you would like to see this presentation
113again or for more information on this and other programs, visit nashville.gov. [Music]