During the Escambia School District's Regular School Board Meeting on September 11, 2025, educators presented their doctoral research findings, highlighting critical issues in literacy and mathematics education within the district. The meeting served as a platform for discussing strategies to enhance student performance and engagement.

Dr. Nicole Owens Braggs, principal of Pleasant Grove Elementary, shared insights from her dissertation focused on improving reading literacy among underperforming second-grade students. Her research emphasized the importance of implementing class-wide strategies and systematic instruction to foster reading skills. Braggs noted that many teachers were not utilizing effective methods such as orthographic mapping, which helps students understand the relationship between sounds and spelling. She advocated for ongoing professional development to equip teachers with the necessary skills to support students at various intervention tiers.

Following Braggs, Dr. Al Marsh, principal of Ransom Middle School, presented his findings on the performance of eighth and ninth graders in algebra. His research revealed a significant disparity in proficiency levels, with eighth graders outperforming ninth graders by an average of 40 percentage points. Marsh attributed this gap to differences in self-efficacy and classroom environments. He noted that eighth graders exhibited higher confidence and engagement compared to their high school counterparts, who often struggled with motivation and focus.

Marsh's analysis also highlighted the impact of placement strategies in mathematics. He pointed out that students who performed well in middle school were often placed in advanced classes, while lower-performing students faced additional challenges in high school due to different course structures. This tracking system, he argued, could exacerbate existing disparities in student performance.

The discussions underscored the need for targeted interventions and support systems to address the challenges faced by students in both literacy and mathematics. The board members expressed appreciation for the presentations and acknowledged the importance of applying these research findings to improve educational outcomes across the district.

As the meeting concluded, the board emphasized the necessity of ongoing collaboration among educators to implement effective strategies that enhance student learning and engagement. The insights shared during this session are expected to inform future policy decisions and educational practices within the Escambia School District.