School district reports significant growth in student SBA scores across grades

In the heart of Tumwater, Washington, the Tumwater School District Board convened on April 24, 2025, to discuss the latest student performance data, revealing both promising advancements and areas needing attention. As board members reviewed the Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) scores, a clear picture emerged of the district's educational landscape.

The meeting highlighted a notable increase in math proficiency, which rose from 48.6% in the 2022-2023 school year to 52.4% in 2023-2024. This upward trend was particularly encouraging, especially when examining growth from fall to spring across various grade levels. For instance, kindergarten students showcased remarkable progress in English Language Arts (ELA), jumping from a mere 24% proficiency in the fall to an impressive 92% by spring. Similarly, their math scores soared from 70% to 95%, underscoring a successful year for the youngest learners.

The board also took a closer look at performance by race and ethnicity, revealing significant gains among Hispanic and Latino students, who experienced a 25.8% increase in ELA and a 21.3% rise in math over the two-year period. However, the data also pointed to challenges, particularly for students identifying as multiracial, who faced declines in both subjects.

Further scrutiny of key subgroups revealed mixed results. Low-income students saw a slight increase of 1% in ELA but a concerning 4.4% decrease in math. Meanwhile, students with disabilities experienced declines in both areas, with ELA dropping by 11.2% and math by 5.5%.

As the board wrapped up its discussions, the data served as both a celebration of achievements and a call to action for targeted support in areas where students struggled. The meeting underscored the district's commitment to fostering an inclusive and effective educational environment, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to thrive.