District analyzes student climate survey results to drive school belonging initiatives

The Lynn School Committee made significant strides in addressing student engagement and academic performance during their meeting on May 29, 2025. A key highlight was the presentation of the student climate survey results, which revealed an overall favorability rating of 80.5% among students, indicating a positive perception of their school environment. This marks a slight increase from the previous fall's rating of 80.2%. However, the survey also identified areas needing improvement, particularly in school engagement, which received the lowest favorability score at 66%.

The committee emphasized the importance of using this data to inform actionable strategies aimed at enhancing student experiences. Notably, three schools—Fact O'Leary, Lynn English High School, and Washington Elementary—exceeded their goals for improving school belonging, with Fact O'Leary achieving a remarkable 15% increase. This success is attributed to targeted efforts to foster a sense of belonging among students, particularly in schools facing greater challenges.

In addition to the climate survey, the committee reviewed WIDA ACCESS data, which showed that 41% of multilingual learners made progress, an increase of 8.9% from the previous year. This improvement is crucial as it reflects the district's commitment to supporting diverse student populations. However, disparities were noted among dually identified students—those who are both multilingual learners and have disabilities—who made progress at half the rate of their peers.

The meeting also touched on I Ready assessment data, which indicated a slight improvement in reading and math performance among students. For instance, second graders showed a significant 23% reduction in the number of students two or more grade levels behind in math. The committee plans to leverage these insights to enhance instructional strategies and support for multilingual learners.

Overall, the discussions underscored the district's commitment to using data-driven approaches to foster equitable educational outcomes. The committee's focus on collaboration and targeted interventions aims to ensure that all students, regardless of their backgrounds, have the opportunity to thrive in a supportive learning environment. As the school year progresses, the committee looks forward to implementing these strategies and monitoring their impact on student success.