During a recent government meeting, Shannon Reed addressed the ongoing challenges in the local education system, particularly highlighting the performance of schools based on standardized testing data. Reed, a parent of a soon-to-be senior, presented a detailed analysis of the English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics performance across 26 schools with high school students.

Reed noted that in 2019, the district had a concerning number of low-performing schools, with eight rated as two-star, 14 as three-star, three as four-star, and only one achieving a five-star rating. She emphasized that the ELA MCAP data for the two-star schools showed stagnation, with proficiency levels never exceeding 20% from 2015 to 2019. The growth in ELA scores across most schools was minimal, peaking at just 10%.

The situation appears to have worsened in recent years, as Reed reported that the current data indicates a decline in overall school performance. The district now has 17 two-star schools, six three-star schools, two four-star schools, and still only one five-star school. Reed pointed out that the struggles with mathematics are particularly alarming, with 20 out of the 26 schools reporting that 5% or fewer students are proficient in algebra.

This stark data raises significant concerns about the educational outcomes for students in the district, prompting calls for urgent action to address the academic deficiencies and improve support for both students and teachers. The meeting underscored the need for a strategic plan to enhance educational quality and ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed.