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Lewiston presents NWEA growth gains; officials caution against treating one‑year changes as a trend
Summary
District data staff told the school committee the percentage of students scoring above the 50th percentile on NWEA MAP growth increased this year for math and reading — the highest level since 2016–17 — but administrators and a public commenter urged pairing growth with achievement measures and noted state participation requirements.
During agenda item 8 on Sept. 8, district data staff presented NWEA MAP growth results that showed an increase in the share of students exceeding national median growth percentiles, while school and committee members discussed the limits of a single‑year change and the difference between growth and achievement measures.
Steve (district data lead) said the district saw its highest percentage since 2016–17 of students scoring above the 50th percentile on NWEA growth measures: about 45% in math and a similar rise in reading. He cautioned that the finding represents one year of data and that the district needs sustained results before calling it a trend.
“The NWEA assessment is nationally normed,” Steve said, explaining that growth percentiles compare a student’s change against peers with similar starting scores. The superintendent added the state’s adoption of NWEA as the statewide assessment reduces the number of different tests but also increases the assessment’s role in accountability.
Committee members and the superintendent noted two district responsibilities tied to NWEA: (1) state and federal reporting and (2) participation rates. The superintendent said participation shortfalls had previously required the district to work on corrective plans with the state and that some schools are currently addressing participation concerns.
Public commenter Luke Jensen urged the committee to present growth data alongside achievement percentiles and classroom‑level measures. “The growth scores and achievement scores shouldn't be looked at separately. They're complementary,” Jensen said, arguing that growth alone can mask whether students remain below grade level. He recommended presenting NWEA data together with locally used measures such as running records and Fountas & Pinnell reading benchmarks.
Committee members asked for clarification about the test population and percentiles. Steve said Lewiston administers NWEA to grades 1–10 locally and that the state requires the assessment for grades 3–8 and 10. He and the superintendent reiterated concerns about test fatigue and said the district had pushed back on additional mandated assessments when possible.
What’s next: administrators said they will continue to report NWEA results and will provide committee members with additional measures and context, and the superintendent said the district would provide updates on attendance and participation interventions in executive session when appropriate.
