Deputy Superintendent Ed Tierney and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Glenda Sheffield presented the district’s instructional review and said Palm Beach County moved to 54% proficiency in combined third‑through‑tenth grade English language arts (up from 49%) and to 55% in third‑through‑eighth grade math (up from 51%). Tierney noted Florida raised the threshold to earn an A for secondary schools from 62% to 64% and the district exceeded that higher bar.
The presentation highlighted programs and outcomes the district said contributed to gains: targeted classroom supports that put nearly 90 district staff into schools last year; a 4‑point statewide gain in math and a 5‑point gain in ELA over two years; accelerated enrollment in advanced coursework (elementary and secondary); and a growing dual‑enrollment program. The district reported more than 4,700 students took over 13,700 dual‑enrollment courses in FY24, with a 95% pass rate, and that saved families about $4.1 million in tuition.
Officials described early‑literacy work under way: a phonics initiative that uses UFLI and other evidence‑based materials, expanded K–2 small‑group instruction with the University of Florida partnership, and an October training for schools implementing UFLI. The district also said it administered a universal gifted screener to about 73% of second graders last year, identifying roughly 21% as showing potential for gifted services and noting identification among English‑language learners rose by about 22%.
Board members praised the results and asked for continued attention to subgroup performance. Board member Edwin Ferguson asked why white students’ gains lagged relative to the district average; Tierney said higher prior performance can limit room to improve and the administration will provide more disaggregated context next year. Several board members also highlighted Glades‑region schools that posted multi‑grade improvements and the district’s first cohort of 110 students who earned an associate degree at high school graduation.
No formal action was taken; the presentation information will guide ongoing instructional planning and professional learning.