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Superintendent cites gains in reading, AP enrollment and graduation-track metrics amid funding turmoil
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Bridal reported the district has seen an 11% increase in reading proficiency since 2023, 750 more students enrolled in AP classes versus three years ago, and a 5-point increase in ninth-grade on-track-to-graduate rates after freshman academy implementation.
Superintendent Dr. Bridal gave the board a report summarizing district academic progress and initiatives alongside the board's budget discussion. He highlighted several district metrics from recent years and linked them to district initiatives.
"Since 2023, we've seen an 11% increase in the number of students that are testing reading proficient," Dr. Bridal said, citing mClass screener results the district uses to track early literacy. He said the district's work on evidence-based reading instruction and the science of reading contributed to that gain.
He also reported that 750 more students are enrolled in Advanced Placement courses than three years earlier, and that enrollment of underserved and vulnerable subpopulations in AP courses increased by 42 percent over the same period. On college-and-career readiness and high school progress, Dr. Bridal said the district's Freshman Academy (in year two of implementation) produced a 5-point increase in the share of ninth graders who are on track to graduate after one year of the program.
Dr. Bridal provided additional data points: freshmen suspensions decreased 15 percent after the interventions, and overall high school suspensions are down 21 percent. He said students who complete a career and technical education (CTE) pathway graduate at a rate of roughly 96 percent, compared with the district's overall four-year graduation rate of about 80 percent.
The superintendent framed these outcomes as evidence the district's targeted interventions — literacy initiatives, Freshman Academy, expanded positive behavior supports and CTE pathways — are producing progress. He said the district will continue to measure and report these metrics to the board and community.
No board action was taken on these reports at the meeting; members thanked staff and the superintendent for the work and noted the data when discussing priorities for the recently approved emergency funds.
The superintendent asked the community to help "protect our progress" by sharing positive outcomes with legislators and neighbors as the district plans for long-term fiscal stability.
