USD 368 presents first-year results from new state assessment; district outperforms state averages in ELA, math and science

District staff presented the first-year results from the state’s revised assessment and walked the board through district and grade‑level performance in English language arts (ELA), math and science. Staff characterized the results as a positive benchmark year.

Presenters said the state assessment was revised after a long gap and now measures students’ performance against grade‑level content standards only; the new cut scores and performance levels (level 1 = limited, level 2 = basic, level 3 = proficient, level 4 = advanced) were set with input from Kansas educators. Staff cautioned the board that the assessment is a snapshot of grade‑level mastery and is not primarily a longitudinal growth measure.

Key points staff reported: - Districtwide, more than 51% of students scored at levels 3 or 4 in ELA compared with about 43–44% statewide. The district’s level‑1 percentages in ELA were significantly below the state average. - In math, the district outperformed the state average on levels 3 and 4 in most grade levels and had lower level‑1 percentages across grade levels; the presenter noted district averages were higher than state averages in six of seven tested grade levels. - Fifth‑ and eighth‑grade science averages were above state averages, with fewer students in level 1 and more in levels 3 and 4.

Staff emphasized the data will serve as a benchmark for future years. Board members asked about tracking growth across cohorts (e.g., whether a fourth‑grade cohort can be followed into fifth grade under the new design). Staff replied the new test measures grade‑level standards and is not structured as a direct growth measure; however, staff said disaggregated grade‑level trends can be examined and compared over time to infer progress.

Staff also noted the state will not set formal accountability targets for a year or two while it collects multiple years of data for the new assessment.