District 62 reports significant student growth and outlines 2025 2026 school year plans

In a recent meeting of the District 62 Board of Education, educators and administrators gathered to discuss significant developments in student performance and social-emotional learning (SEL) initiatives. The atmosphere was charged with optimism as Assistant Superintendent Amy Segel and her colleague Colin Baer presented data reflecting the academic growth of students from the previous school year.

The presentation highlighted a notable increase in math and reading proficiency among students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Segel reported over 10% growth in early grades, particularly among first and second graders, while acknowledging a slight dip in kindergarten performance due to the differing nature of assessments from fall to spring. The data also underscored the progress made by multilingual learners and students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), groups that the district has prioritized in its improvement plans.

As the discussion shifted to older students, Segel noted that while there was overall growth in grades three through eight, sixth graders experienced a decline in performance. This prompted a commitment to further investigate the underlying causes of this trend. The board was assured that the district is actively working to close achievement gaps, particularly for vulnerable student populations.

Baer introduced new SEL data collected through the Savers screening tool, which assesses students' social skills, academic behaviors, and emotional competencies. The initial results were promising, showing that a significant majority of students fell into the low-risk category for social-emotional skills. However, the data also revealed that sixth graders again showed a decrease in these competencies, indicating a need for targeted interventions.

The meeting concluded with a preview of upcoming initiatives for the 2025-2026 school year, including a focus on structured literacy and the introduction of new curricular resources aimed at enhancing student engagement and achievement. The district is set to pilot new math and literacy programs, with an emphasis on individualized learning pathways to better support all students.

As the board members engaged in discussions, they expressed a shared commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive educational environment. The overarching theme of the meeting was clear: while progress has been made, there remains a collective responsibility to ensure that every student in District 62 has the opportunity to thrive academically and emotionally.